Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-02-03

On behalf of the interests of the
Wash;ngton-Virginia Railway Com
pany John E. Zimmerman, of the
firm of Day and Zimmerman, engi-
necrs of Philadelphia, last night DIS
cussed before attorneys for the vari-
Gus interests and others the financial
affairs of the Washington-Virginia
Railway Company in reference 70 the
increase of rates they now ask Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
During the course Of his talk, wn. h
was continued for about two and one
half hours. Mr.. Zimmerman was close
lily questioned by former Corporation
Counsel Conrad S5me of the District
CT Columbia, who represents the coun-
muters, Mr.. Syme demonstrated his
! ability to handle railroad figures with
comparative ease.
The meeting adjourned 1T 1910
O'Clock and nothing was done and no
proposition submitted by the rail-
road company as was expected.
Attorney James R. Cation, advisory
counsel for the Chamber of Com
merce called the gathering to order
and Attorney Gardner l.. Booth@
stated he felt somewhat responsible
for the meeting. He assured the gath
!! erinr he had no ulterior motives IN
;; ealing the meeting, and said he be-
| lieved it best to meet face to face and
added that if no good would come OF
i. there could De no harm. He said he
! suggested that after all Of the or
sanizations were formed Mr.. Zim.-
norman :onle here and discuss the
question with tHem collectively. *
1t was explained by Mr.. Zimlnef-
man in his opening statement that hrs
firm has nothing to do with the situa-
ton at all, they being selected by the
protective committee and were asked
to see what could be done to work the
protlm out. Everything he had ne said
was at the disposal Of those present.
This railroad as conditions exist to-
day he said is entitled 20 relief.
! There is no effort to prcfitcer he ad-
dcd.
This is the second increase asked
for, the first increase not producing
what was expected declared Mr.. Zim
, rierman. t. had, he said, only pro-
duced about six per cent and II was
estimated it might be expected to pro
duce twenty-five per cent.
The increased revenue of the road
IN 1920 over 1919 he said was entire
" due to the increase in travel rather
than the increase in fare. Gross re-
ce;pts in 1919 he said were 100000
in round figures and in 1920 Sl.045.-
! iS07.
In 1919 the average fare paid the
company was 10 and 81 cents and IN
/ 1920 10 10. In 1918 it cost 10 carr
a passenger 7 CT cents and IN 1920
| 9 30 CT twenty-five per cent in
crease.
! Mr.. Zimmerman said he was ex-
treme!y anxious to put. the cards on
the table az far as he could put them
/! Al the -equest of Mr.. Syme items
| charged rs maintenance were given
as follows: 1916. S32,99o: 1917
! s73.6sO; 1918. S1o0,7oo; 1919, $50
400; 1920. $l75,s92 The number OF
| passengers carried in 1919 was a.5l6,'
452 and 1920. a,740.S2a.
Discussing the zone system Nj
Zimmermar declared it has not sue,
ceeded. adding. "You have got to take
the bitter with the sweet
The sneaker again reiterated that
tie firm of Day and Zinimermar
!; has no financial interest in the road
they being consulting engineers o1
fcorstruction and anagement:
The road has s4,457 600 bonds IS
1 Issued and outstanding he said, sin'
! interest hc.:ssid- had been paid II
March and the money obtalnct