The Washington herald., 1921-10-12
New Measure Likely to
Force Merger and
Lower Fares.
ISSUE NOT DEAD,
FOCHT DECLARES
Oliver Urges Congress to
Read Articles in
The Herald.

Recommitment of the Woods
street car bill to the House District
Committee yesterday by the House
Will bring out a more drastic mea-
sure. compelling the traction COM
panies to either merge or accept
fare based upon their individual
valuations. is the opinion of many
members who supported the bill and
those whose opposition to it re-
suited In its recommitment.
The fac. that the bill has gone
back to the committee does not
mean that tho street car issue is
dead" Chairman Focht explained
yesterday Il really believe that
the bill would have gone a long way
in affording relief to the street car
patrons while offering the traction
companies an opportunity to merge.
Antagonistic to Companies.
The way the bill was received
shows conclusively that tie temper
OF the House Is antagonistic to the
street car companies and. unless the
officials of those corporations show
some disposition to facilitate a con-
solidation. It is an obviously simple
conclusion that Congress is going
to pass very drastic legislation to
bring about n merger and lower
street car fares" Focht declared.
Representative oliver. in opposing
the bill yesterday, declared: Il have
the highest regard for the members
OF the present House District Gem
mittee. but feel that in the prepara-
ton Of this bill they have heen
unduly solicitous of the interests of
the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company"
Argues for Lower Fares.
Mr.. Woods. In discussing the bill
yesterday, stated that in his opinion
II would result in a merger of the
two companies and that the COM
panies, IL merged. could well afford
to have a fare fixed at not exceed
ing cents and four fares for 25
cents. II this statement is accepted
by members of the committee, and
no one seems to question il. then
Congress should now affirmativeiy
provide that no fare after January
next should be charged by either
Of the transportation companies in
excess OF Z cents and that four
tickets should be sold for not more
than IS cents.
This action by Congress, effective
January next, will very promptly lead
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company to make fair proposals to
the Capital Traction Company for a
merger, and the stockholders will no
longer suffer the matter OF a merger
to be held up on account OF differ
ences as to management.
Commends Herald Articles.
Since all are now agreed that the
rates are excessive. yea largely ex-
cessive for one Of the companies-the
Capital Traction Company-it is the
clear duty of Congress to Immediately
take action fixing a maximum rate
at not to exceed cents and allowing
four tickets to be purchased for Is
cents ! wish to call the attention OF
the House to a series Of articles rela.
tive to the two traction companies
which appeared in The Washington
Herald during the months Of May and
June last.
These articles are most informing
and were prepared with great labor
and thoroughness. Every member OF
Congress should be provided with q
copy of the same before the bill look
ing to a merger of these companies Is
finally passed. think copies Of the
articles ] refer to can be secured by
request Of the Editor OF The Wash.
ington Herald, and ! wish to say thai
The Herald has performed a distinct
public service in presenting these fact.
through the columns Of the paper.
Refers to Overcapitalixation.
when you read these articles, yor
will understand Just when. how an6
why the Washington Railway ant
Electric Company was organized ant
to what extent its stock has beef
watered from time to time and over
capitalized. l again repeat that n,
one acquainted with the facts car
feel that the company deserves tn,
sympathy and solicitude of Congress,
as to its future, so long as it insist
on demanding fare that will pay {
return on its over-capitalization."
Another street car bill for the pur
pose Of bringing about a merger o
the two companies will be framed i'm
mediately, members of the House Dis
trict Committee declared last night
The new bill, according to Representa-
tive Roy G. Fitzgerald, a member o
the House District Committee, vii
probably be a short, drastic" measur
that will compel the companies t
merge and reduce the street car fares