Evening star., 1921-04-05
SEEKS VOLUNTARY
RAILWAY MERGER
Utilities Board Will Ask the
Street. Car Companies to
Adjust Differences.
AS result of yesterdays conference

AS result of yesterdays conference
with members of the Senate and
House District committees. the Public
Utilities Commission will take the
initiative in attempting to bring to-
gether the interests involved in the
proposal to merge Washington's trac-
tion lines.
Within few days the commission
win ask representatives of the Wash
1ngton Railway and Electric and Cap
ital Traction Companies to meet the
commission in a preliminary confer
ence to discuss possible bases for a
merger.
George E. Hamilton. president Of the
Capital Traction company. 10 in At
iantic City. recuperating from a re-
cent Illness. and John H. HAnna, vice
president. Is confined I'd his home
here with what his physiciaK has pro-
nounced to be slight case of GRIP.
Just as soon as these ofiictalA are able
to attend a meeting 1t will be called.
Suggests Possible Rases.
At yesterdays session with mem
oers Of Congress Engineer Commits
sioner Kutz stated that there are
three possible bases for . merger
valuation. relative earning power and
while the utilities commission has
not indicated what its merger plan
VIII be. 1t is considered more than
iikely that 1t will favor making al
iowances for all of these considera-
TONS The commission is likely to op-
pose any one Of them being taken as
the sole basis for a merger
OnciaIs or both street railway COM
panfes are On record as favoring
merger. They have Endorsed the plan
LOT LOT conference and expressed de-
sire to cooperate to the fullest in
making 1t a success. The first ses-
sion will be hothing more than a
meeting OF the minds" It was stated
today at the District building. How-
ever. this meeting is expected tb de-
mental differences that may not be
overcome. If nothing discourkeinr
to the success Of ~the plan is discov.
cred. it is believed. the commission
and the companies will unite in an
earnest endeavor to wipe out the
minor differences Of opinion and
bring about merger without pres
sure from Congress
Senator Ball Sees Mercer.
Senator Ball of Delaware, who is to
be chairman of the Senate Dist ricf
committee. today expressed the opin-
ION mat the conference held yeeter-
day at the Capitol would bear fruit
The committee of six, representing
the traction companies and the Pub
lie Utilities Commission. will be ap-
pointed without delay. / hope" said
Senator Bail: Il believe that such
committee will be able to work out a
plan for a merger. The member Of
the Public Utilities Commission will
De In position to urge action and to
see that 1t does not lag"
Legislation Necessary,
Senator Ball pointed out that IL
would be necessary to pass a bill
amending existing law so as to. per-
NIT the proposed merger. He said he
had no doubt that such bill could be
put through promptly, once the com
panies and the Com missioners have
settled upon just and equitable
basis of merger
Senator Capper of Kansas, a mem
Der OF the District committee also.
who attended the conference yester-
day. said today that he believed they
were on the right track to bring
about a merger. He said he thought
the District Commissioners were well
able to tackle the job with the repre-
sentatives of the street car companies.