The Washington herald., 1921-06-28
Hammer Presents New
Measure to Solve
Traction Problem
REQUIRES JOINT
USE OF TRACKS
Universal Transfers Are
Also Feature of Pro-
posed Act.


twenty-five cents. universal trans
fers and the joint use OF TRACKS
with physical connections OF lines
wherever il is deemed to be ex-
pedient, are important features OF
bill introduced late yesterday
afternoon in the House by Repre-
sentative william C Hammer, Of
North Carolina.
Aimed 20 End Commission.
II has been stated preiousvly that
IL was the intention of a majority
Of the members Of the House Dis
trict Committee to support the first
Hammer meaure. which provided
merely for the removal ef the Pub
lie Utilities Commission. The aboli-
tion of the commission was not
meant to reaect any discredit upon
the Commissioners, but 1t was felt
by most of the members Of the sub
committee that. due to the numer-
Gus duties of the commisisoners
they were entitled to be relieved OF
the responsibility OF acting as .
Public Utilities Commission
Changes First Purpose.
The Bill introduced yesterday BY
Representative Hammer. which
supersedes his first bill. does not
abolish the Utilities Commission.
but it is the opinion OF some OF the
members Of the subcommittee that
later on some Of the burden, now
carried by the Commissioners. Will
be shifted to the shoulders OF a
separate body created to act as q
Public Utilities Commission.
In fixing the rate Of fare at four
tickets for twenty-five cents" Mr..
Hammer explained yeterday. -the
Public Utilities Commission Is not
prevented from making a more sub
stantial reduction whenever IL Is
found that a reduction is justified.
On the other hand the commission
is enjoyned from granting an ifH
crease of fare to the corporations
Separate Rates Possible.
The rate of fare as established
/ by this bill follows the precedent
set b ythe Commissioners in con-
/ sidering the two companies as a
whole. but il is not incumbent upon
the commission to adhere TO this
| plicy in dealing with the railway
companies in the future. II at any
time il is considered to be to the
interest of the public, the commits
sion may establish a separate fare
for each company under the pro-
visions of my bill," Hammer pointed
out.
Il fully realize" Hammer ad-
mitted. that the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Co. is not favored
by being ideally situated. Many of
its lines extend out into Maryland
an dsome are claimed to be non
| productive. This fact is emphasized
whenever a comparison is made be-
tween the Washington Railway and
Electric Co. and the Capital Trac-
tion Co.
Has Sought Annexatiopa
The poverty Of the W. R &E.
Co. is attributed 10 its long and un-
profitable hauls. Yet IL has been
the policy of this company to annex
these Improbable properties when
ever the opportunity presented it,
self. 1t is difficult OF conception
that these purchases were always
| prompted by altruistic motives, yet
the element Of business Judgment
seems to have been entirely absent
in these acquisitions.
| That such conditions do exist in
the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company is true and the fact
is a source OF regret TO the patrons
of the street cars and TO the COM
pany. At present the people are
sharing IL not carrying the burden
| Of these poor Investments for which
they are in no way responsible, and
il is my intention to place the re-
sponsibility where it belongs"
Hammer said.
Must Protect Public.
Il have no reason to inflict an
unfair injury upon the corpora
tions, and in saying this / do not
hesitate to say / merely echo the
sentiment Of the entire House Dis
trict Committee" Hammer declared,
but the necessity TO protect the
people. compels some legislation suf-
fciently stringent to bring the trac-
tion companies to the realization
that they are public servants. They
were created ostensibly for the peo-
pie. They have been maintained
by the people. and their first con-
sideration should be for the people,
NpJc Tr0dprs prooD,n{