The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-02-17
WIRE. TO KEEP
PRESENT FARE
Board of Directors Decides to
Ask That Tariffs Be Ex-
tended Again.
RATES EXPIRE NEXT MONTH
Company Expects Financial Re-
lief Under Merger Plan
Now in Congress.

No increases in electric rates or
street car fares will be asked by the
Potomac Electric Power Company
and the Washington Railway and
Electric Company, William F. Ham,
president of both corporations, an
nounced today, following a meeting
Of the board of directors of the COM
panies yesterday afternoon.
TO CONTINUE RATES.
/ Instead, the companies will file with
the Public Utilities Commission next
month petitions asking that the pres
ent rates be continued. The present
rates automatically expire on March
81, unless otherwise ordered by the
commission.
Believing that the peak of high
costs has been reached and mindful
of the peculiar situation existing with
regard to the personnel next month
of the Public Utilities Commission,
the board of directors. Mr.. Ham sail.
decided IT would be best not to dis
turb present conditions
RELIEF Is EXPECTED.
|, The directors were also snduenc0d
IN their decision by the pendiRk ieoss-
latton with regard to merger and
taxation that is now before Congress.
ancial relief is in sight from that
President Hams announcement
came as complete surprise to those
amiliar with conditions of the two
:ompanies. 1t was expected the COM
panies would renew their requests
of last fall for increased electric and
street car rates.
II appeared today that the board of
~
costs will soon be on the downward
trend and that the peak of high prices
for electricity charges and street
car fares had been reached.
TO FILE PETITION.
Within the past five months two
petitions of these companies have
been rejected. One by the electric
company for increase Of charge from
to 10 cents per kilowatt hours was
partially granted, the commission
boosting this charge to Sh cents. The
railway company's request for in
crease from ~ cents, four tokens for
80 cents, to s cents straight, was flat
ly turned down.
The formal petitions for continue
ton of the rates will be filed in
several days.
A petition to the Public Utilities
Commission from the Capital Traction
Company is expected next month. Of
ficials of the company today declared
| no definite decision with regard to q
] petition had been reached. but the
matter would be taken up shortly by
officers and directors OF the company.
MAY ASK LOWER FARE.
A peculiar situation with regard
to street car fares will arise next
month. The Capital Traction Com
pany declares 1t cannot return to a
five-cent fare, as provided in the pres
ent fare order which expires on
March 81. Company officials have
admitted the company, because OF it's
present high rate of earning, has not
justification for asking the commits
sion to continue the rates. Therefore,
the only alternative. 1t appears, is to
seek a lower rate.
Before March 81. the Capital Trac-
tion Company, either in a petition of
| other statement. will tell the commits
sion the lowest fare II can operate
with. at the same time earning a fair
| return. This statement is looked
upon as an opening wedge for lower
| fare here.