The Washington herald., 1921-05-30
Washington Street Railways.
OF CONGRESS.

II ME people of the District greatly appreciate
the pronounced attitude of members of the
congressional committee considering street
railway merger. Representative Lampert, of Wis
eonsin, touched a responding chord when he sad
Ny interest is not in what becomes of the watered
stock l am interested in bringing the fare down to
the public to what it should be-"
Again Representative Kunz, of Illinois, exactly
interpreted public sentiment in stating that the real
question was reduced fares rather than merger, and
concurring in this Representatives Sproul, Hammer
and Keller reported indorsing the immediate
reduction of fares the Capital Traction. and di-
of the Potomac Electric from street car man
" agcment
" The Herald in this series has not been running
Sunday school story; telling what this. that the
:, other person thinks, says believes; dealing in
" choice plattudes, appealing to sentiment We
have used only official records and have stated only
e facts with the object OF reaching justified concu-
sion. As stated by these congressman, street rail-
way merger means nothing to the people of this
District, has value to them and has no personal
ID interest to them. unless it results in materially
lower street car fares.
That it have this result and leave the in
vestors in both properties in better condition than
they now, is certain as tomorrow. How the
combination shall be brought about is for others to
=, determine The word merger" however, is mis-
leading There never has been and never will be
merger" of the two companies which is not in eff
feet sale. This merger when it comes will be
sale and it might as well be so recognized
There is nothing ruthless in nhe attitude of The
Herald toward these properties. 1t is not possible
to wiring anything until the last drop of water is
= out of it by destroying it as rag Washing
ton does not want rags, but strong, honestly con-
Quoted public utilities which will render good serv-
ice at the lowest cost that is financially safe and
wise TheSe ME h.
d that basis
We wish to say frankly and squarely that there
is other way of satisfactory combination of
these two utilities than the sale of the W. R. & E
railway properties to the Capital Traction. The
people of the District feel this. They have conf
dence in the management of the c. T.; they have
experienced the service; they would be satisfied to
have it have monopoly of the street car service.
They do not have this feeling toward the W. R. & E.
Moreover with the Capital Traction in control, it
would be comparatively easy to sell the stocks and
bonds to finance the purchase
. There always ways to- secure desired re-
suit. Nothing is impossible, least of all such
job this. Congress has sufficient powers. 1t
can revoke the charters of both companies leaving
them simply going, or operating concerns wholly
under its control in every way. 1t can authorize
a holding and operating corporation with the power
of condemnation. 1t order the public utilities
commission to condemn, take and operate both
companies with view to their transfer to a cor
poration to be subsequently organized
1t can order a reduction of fares on the CAPITAL
Traction lines and end the present manfestly unfair
situation which otherwise continue in a degree
for many years, or in fact, always. 1t can grant
such a combination charter as by its terms will at
admit of return of the Scent fare That this
is possible, the incomes of the two companies will
show when allowance is made for certain definite
economies of operation, and relief from unnecessary
burdens
The people Of the District on their part must
realize that the eating of the pudding has been suf
-cent proof that they have entire confidence in
the public utilities commission for their protection
and for good service at the low price, any conces-
-sion made being reflected in They must also
realize that all charges against street railways for
which they not fairly and Justly liable should be
removed in order that this saving may be reflected
in the lower fares Nor must the public overlook
that goodly sum must at once be expended either
from earnings1o or from stock and bond issues
IN rehabitating several suburban lines which have
been allowed to deteriorae below the assurance of
adequate satisfactory service. The Herald will
submit definite plan which should lead to volun-
~tary action by the two companies.