Evening star., 1921-04-04
Street CAR LINES
AGREE TO MEETING
FOR MERGER STEP
Oyster Proposal Is Favored
by Congress Members at
Conference Today.
CAR Representatives
TO MEET UTILITY BOARD

Probable Action at Capitol Unless
Agreement Is Reached Seen
Behind Present Move.
appointment OF two representatives
Of the Capital Traction Company and
two representatives Of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company
to meet with the Public Utilities
Commission for the purpose of de-
termining upon plans for a merger
OF the street railway companies in
the District was proposed today by
Capt James F. Oyster. District Com
missioner. at a conference at the
Capitol, in which members OF the
Senate and House District. commit
tees. representatives of the street
railways and the District Commits
sioners took part
The suggestion met with the ap-
proval OF the members Of Congress
and was acquiesced in by the repre-
sentatives Of the street car COM
panies.
Congress Determined.
Comments by Senators Ball. Capper
and Pomerene and Representative
Focht of Pennsylvania made it clear
that unless the companies were able
and willing to reach an agreement
upon a merger plan Congress intend
ed to take the matter into its own
hands at the coming session and
force a consolidation.
The conference today was called by
Senator Ball OF Delaware. who 10 70
be chairman of the Senate District
committee. Senator Capper OF Kansas
and Senator Pomerene Of Ohio. both
members of the District committee,
and keenly interested in the street
railway situation. were present. Rep
reSentative Focht, who is TO be chair
man of the House District committee.
took prominent part in tho confer
ence also.
With Senator Ball acting as chair
man, the conference resolved itself
into q hearing at -which- the. District
Commissioners, street railway ON
Gals and william McK. Clayton. rs
representative of, the Federation Of
Cftixens Associations expressed
their yisgA sit .,se..
-. Gel. Kats,s statene.t
Col. w. c. Kuts. chairman OF the
Public Utilities Commission. was the
sfirst heafd. He said that the District
Commissioners were oppressed to .
merger Eof the WaAhingtsn Railway
and Electric CUim6any vim the Ro-
tomac Electric Power Company un-
less 1t was merely to be . preiiminary.
step toward . merger Of. the WASH
ington Railway and Electric Company
and the. Capital Traction Company.
He said that he was convinced there
would be no lesaening Of the street
railway fare unless the street car
companies were merged.
He said that he was strongly op.
posed to any merger plan that did not
make sure of the merger Of the street
car companies.
Senator capper replied that the
sentiment among the people of
Congress was that the street rail-
way situation now existing in the
city could no longer be tolerated.
During his discussion OF the street
u1s1y urRsa the aaSssSy S9 of kun ..nse :e
for the Washington Gas Company
and the Georgetown Gas Company.
He pointed out that the stock Of
the Georgetown company was owned
insisted that it would be to the ad-
vantage of the public to have the
two companies combined.
Capt. Oyster Speaks.
Capt. Oyster. who followed Col.
Kutz today. said that the Commits
sioners had practically agreed upon
the so-calIed Wood merger bill.
My opinion" said Capt. Oyster. lis
that these organizations are willing
to get together, and should get to-
gether, on a merger plan for the
benefit of the public. For this rea.
SON the present fare was continued
for, Ave months. This will give Con-
gress chance to act also: !,
William F. Ham. president Of The
Railway and Electric
Company and the Potomac Electric
Power Company. advocated n merger
Of the two companies of which he is
president. and promised that " the
cents per kiiowatt hour for electric
light. and power reduction would
be made in the street railway fare
to seven cents.
Mr.. Ham contended that the tcon-
panies were entitled to fair return
sisted that it was unfair to .reduce
he rate for electricity and to put. up
The rate or street railway transpor-
tation.
Capt. Oyster expressed a similar
opinion and said that he believed that
me public would bene1t from read
justment Of the rates for traneporta-
lion. and electricity. 1t WAS then
hat he made his suggestion that
committee of six two to represent
SaCh company auu Iwo " ISRSNochG
he public utilities Commission, should
be created to formulate merger plans.
lie said that there are approximately
II 900 consumers Of electric light. and
hat they should not be protected to-
he disadvantage of the much more
numerous patrons of the street cars.
: Pomereae SsEgestisn.
Senator Pomerene Of Ohio. in con-
,ection with the suggestion that
committee of six be appointed to
orm a merger plan, said:
IF the companies cam get together
md make an equitable agreement. II
would be better than to
lave Congress force a merger with
! club Personally, if they cannot do 4
70. 1 am willing to apply the club"
Capt. Oyster said that he thought
he lo-cent rate "a for electricity would
lelp. and that the cent fare on the
treet cars would be acceptahle.
III they, cannot reach an agreement
or a merger / want to put the screws
o them" Capt. Oyster said. referring
o the street car companies.
TT is plain that the committee
wants q merger" said Senator Cap
,er THE public is getting impatient.
Me merger talk has been going on for
ears" =
Senator Pomerene said that there
vas no room for question about the 4
natter. IA
"I am quite willing to put this
ommitfee In session in a room and
ocki the door until IL can reach an
said Senator Pomeyene.
"Assd we viii put policeman out
ide too wetchs them.' said Capt.
oyster with q. laugh. 80
Vice President Hanna OF the CAHi-
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