The Washington times., 1921-04-12
SEEK WAY FOR
FAIR MERGER
Traction Heads Say Pepco and
w., R. & E. Must Be Combin-
ed as First Step.

street railway companies of th'
District of Columbia, unless Con
gress first agrees to a merger o.
the Potomac Electric Power Com
pany and the Washington Railwa!
and Electric Co. This is the at
titude taken today by the official,
Of both the Capital Traction Com
pany and the Washington Railway
and Electric Company, who thi,
morning began conferences with
members of the Public Utilities
Commission with a view of form
ulating some merger plan that
both companies would agree upon
CAN'T COMPARE MERGER.
without the added valuation of the
Potomac Electric Power Company,
which can only come about through
a merger. the Washington Railway
and Electric Company, II IN said.
would not be in a position. to press
any plan for merger OF the street
railway companies that would benefit
the 1900 stockholders affected. On
the other hand. IL the power plant
was not included in the merger. the
Capital Traction Company could not
agree to any plan for a merger of
only the railways. That would beneft
it's 1000 ockholders. One OF the
officers of the street railway COM
panies said today that the Washing
ton Railway and Electric system
would be OF little value to the Cap
ital Traction Company, without the
earning ability of the power company
Congress might pass legislation that
would harass the street railway cent
- 49, - a.. IA 4
merger. unless they condemned b1th
the roads. one of the Officers said to-
day. Congress. ne said. could no.
condemn the Washington Railway
and Electric Company and then p"ss
II over to the Capital Traction Com
pany.
LONG COURT FIGHT LOOMS.
The prospect Of a long court fght
also looms as the possible outcome CT
any attempt of Congress or the Utili-
ties Commission to force upon either
company a merger plan that would
not be satisfactory to both companies
The first meeting which was held In
Commissioner Kutz's office this morn
ing was in the nature of an informa-
ton meeting. Neither officers of the
Capital Traction Company or the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company said they had any matured
plans. They said the conference was
without a scrap of paper" and that
any plan which was brought forward
would have their earnest considera-
ton.
The Washington Railway and
Electric Company was represented al
the conference by William +. Ham
president OF the company: and Milton
f. Allies. chairman of the board OF
directors. George e. Hamilton, pres
ident of the Capital Traction Com
pany, represented his company. j. II
Hanna, vice president and general
manager of the Capital Traction Com
pany. Is i'll and could not be present.
He is the other Capital Traction Of
ficer on the committee. Col. Kutz
and Commissioner oyster. represented
the Public Utilities Commission.
Officials OF the Washington Rail-
disturbed by the circulation of an
endless chain letter which is being
sent throughout the city bearing the
signature of Minute Men. d. c." This
letter which sets forth the peoples
Platform on Merger" asked that every
person who receives IL make three
copies. and send to three friends with
a request that each send to three 9TH
er friends.
TEXT OF PLATFORM.
The platform provides:
Better Service.
Lower Fares.
Necessary Extensions.
Capital Traction Management.
Elimination w. II. e. f. Control.
No lacking Up" Valuations.
Follow Leadership of william Nick.
Clayton.
support Federation of Citizens As
sociations.
The sessions OF the merger hear
ing will be executive, IL was said at
the District building today. No
reason was given for this act .on,
any plan for a merger, witch wc:.ld
be published in the newspapers,
might lead to strong protests and
pressure on the members of the com
mittee, and would hamper a free dis
cussion of the merits of ,te case
The committee adjourned at /
o'clock this afternoon to meet again
next Tuesday morning. During the
meeting various plans for merging
were discussed, but -, hing definite
was agreed upon. The necessity for
adjourning the meeting for a week
developed when IL was found that
much statistical data was needed to
proceed intelligently. Colonel Kutz
was elected chairman of the commit
tee.