Evening star., 1921-04-04


Hamilton. president Of the company.
he felt sure that Mr.. Hamilton would
agree to the appointment Of such .
COMMITTEES ~ that suggested by Capt.
Gr. Hanna said that the attitude Of
the CAPITAL Traction Company was that
the relative earning power Of the two
companies should be the basis OF .
mefgefs
senator BAH asked II Mr.. Haiina be-
lieved that . merger Of Potomac Elec-
tic Power Company and the WASH
fngton Railway and Electric Company
would tend to advance or fetard
merger Of the street car companies
Mr. Hanna replied that in his opin-
and the Washington Railway and
Electric Company would Necessarily
be one Of the Conditions Of q merger
between the Washington Railway and
E1sctfic Company ana the Capital
frsction Company. he said that 1t
vas eseentisl that the power COM
Mr.. Hanna said that the Capital
Traction Company had never opposed
. merger. He sugEegted. that the
0tDckholders of whom there are some
1.ee0, would have to decide ultimately.
ouesti6as Af. Hanna.
Senator Pomerene asked II Mr.
Hanna did not feel that the two COM
panies can get together on q merger
plan.
MOST certainly. yes" replied Mr..
Hanna The Capital Traction Com
papy viii be more than glad to join
In any e6ort for a merger"
When Mr.. Ham explained the posi-
fsn q fes ws.Snston e. ,oPs Rai'rss and and
to point out that his companies
combtncd-including the power COM
pany-wefe just AZ prosperous az the
Capital Traction Company.
Mr. Ham urged that Congress
amend the law SO that the street
In the future to pay the salaries Of
the crossing policemen. He also ask
ed thst the street car companies be
not compelled to pay for the pave
ments between the tracks and for
two feet on each side. as they are at
Hessaid that II these charges were
eliminated the public eventually
would benefit In reduction Of fares.
Mr.. Clayton. chairman OF the pub
lie utilities committee OF the Fedora
tion OF Citizens Associations, said
levyfng an excess profits tax on the
street railways. being convinced that
il would not result in a reduction Of
fare
"The people are seeking relief from
burden Of excessive car fare" said
Mr.. Clayton.
Mr.. Clayton said that many people
are really paying . cents fare instead
Of 8 cents because they are obliged
TO pay an extra cent for a transfer
from enc line to another.
A merger of the street car compa-
MES has been desired for years. he
said.
The companies have expressed a
Willingness" said Mr. Clayton. but
in the past they have not been on the
Job when IL came to arranging the
details of a merger"
Senator Ball called atte,sio to the
fact that legislation authorizing a
merger is necessary. since snSer the
existing law the companies are pro-
hibited from merging.
Mr.. Clayton said that the fedora
tion believed that the street car com.
ranies shosld be relieved from paying
the crossing policemen. 50 far al
payment for the pavemeAt between
the tracks 10 concerned, he said, he
was h"t prepared to take . position
At thu time.
M. Clayton urged that the Public
powered to decide regarding wages
paid to the employees OF the street
car OompA nieA The commission h.
RENTED out. nxes fares He said
fh94 the federation was not seeking to
fffNs about reduction a Wages.
CoA1A1HAi0uerw Otand.
The District Commissioners sup.
ported the plan OF Inducing the street
car companies to merge by placing
an excess pronts tax on the Capital
Traction Company, which wo0ad re-
suit in equalfsing the earning power
OF the two ro4dA
This, In substance. b The Weeds
biA which wa0 Introduced A& The lAst
seeslcn. II 10 kAown that he Com.