Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-04-02
BRIEF FILED WITH
Ice. IN RATE CASE
Attorneys For People De-
clare Increase Fare Would
Be Injurious
APRIL 20
Attorneys Against Increase on W.
Va. Line Say Public Should Not
Pay More Than It's Just Burden
Especial to The Gazette

Washington. d. e., April Up
ward revision Of the rate structure be-
tween Alexandria and Washington
will wcrk injuriously to the business
interest Of Alexandria it is declared
in brcr filed with the Interstate
Commerce Commission today by Con-
rad .syme, for the Commuters Asso-
cation OF Alexandria and James z.
Cation fer the Alexandria chamber Cf
commerce. "Herctofore rates on the
Washinrtcn:Tirginia Railway be-
tween Washington and Alexandra
have been an inducement to persons
livin. in Washington to locate in ana
about Alexandria, the brief points out.
declaring that any raise in rates VIII
:rjurioua!y effect the business inter
ests Of Alexandria.
Increased rates recently asked by
the company on which ora hearing
has been !.cld before Examiner Mack
lev Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission would increase the ccmpany's
ast revenue by $lS5.000 annually th"
brief points out, ad,::ng that the COM
pany's estimates are based on four
hvpothesc "ncne Of which may pan
on. u be true in fac! ard all Of
which probably are far from he fac :
wi;:ch til. future may establish.
The first hypothesis IS that If p1-
creased rates are allowed the nunl5e:
of revenue passengers carried VIII
decrease ten per cent cn:ai!ing a lcs<
Of ahou. 100000 year 70 the con-
many: tn. second is that lab2r COS!
WI remain the same.
The brief claims that if wages arr
reduced :, sav;rg Of about Sl00,O2a
YEA, w! result 70 the company.
Tac th;'i hypothesis is that COS :
If mater:... will be the same and tAt
fcurt.. + 'pothesis is that il is up =
he I.ol;c to make good the irtcre :
on rA, hcndcd Indebtedness of So
sO0.0r0 ana abcu. S500,G00 cf OFT
standing securities payable by the
ccmraH:.
The previous increase Of ten per
cent allowed the road in 1919 by tn"
Interstate Commerce Commission Z:
rc,-ewea N the brief which po;n'S :
out that ntcr the increase the Us
Of Inc ,rSnty-fv" trip t;ckc: NOR
than laubled and that the number. of
rc?enuc passengers did no: decrease.
The brief says a result Of the pr*s"n!
applicaticn would be to compel tht
use of bus two classes cf tickets,
either straight round trip ticket or
a fifty-.'vo trip ticket. with no provl
sicns for tncsc who use less transpor-
taticn thar that provided by the fifty
Two trip ticket.
Total operating expenses of road
i, 1920 wye $S24,000 Of which about
$350000 VAS spent in maintenance,
1920. 900 n cost Of transportation and
about $4,000 fer general expenses.
The brief admits that if any in
crease is allowed il should be distri-
rlted in proper preparation among
the flat rate. the twenty-five tr:p
ticket AMI tde fifty-two trip commu-
r:caticn ticket. II says the railway
is an impastant factor in the develop
ncnt CT Alexandria and is business
interest ar! prosperity ard says tAa'
there car tc TO question that t:lf
growth ali population ard develop
meut Of IN business facilities OF
Alexandr::a are due to the fact rates
between Washington and AleNanGria
have been an inducement to persons
in Washington 10 come 10 Alexandria
Ir closing the brief says there are
three interests 10 be considered, the
holders OF the bonded Indebtedness u
the company, the stockholders aA'
the public.
The company should DC in posi-
lion to lay before the Interstate
Commerce Commission full show
Irc as to cash in railway and equip
nnnt bv outstanding, obligations Sc
THAT the public may not be called
rron T.. contribute more than 1t:
Just shsre of the burdens ''tha'
should he eG.Iitahiy distr'hrtef