Evening star., 1922-11-06
REDUCED TROLLEY
FARES IMPROBABLE
D. c. Heads Oppose Different
Rates for Capital Trac-
tion From w. R. E.
DOUBT CHEAPER LIGHTS
Public Hearing Decision on Cutting
Phone Charges Due Within
Few Days.

Although the street car rate cas-
is still under consideration by thoI
Public Utilities Commission. tndica.
tions at the District building a-o
| that there vii! not be a change ..
this time.
The Federation OF Citizens Asso-
Citations brought the matter up h
asking that the commission fix 2
lower rate for the Capital Tractio.-
Company. which was earning approx.
mately 9 per cent on its valuation.
To grant the federations petiti6T
would mean different rates Of fare fnT
the two companies, a step which ths
commission has hesitated TO take ~
former hearings.
The only other plan that has been
suggested by which the commissi"a
could bring down the Capital Ira ctioH
Compauy's earnings without making
a corresponding cut in the incom"
Of the Washington Railway ano
Electric Company is zone systetl-.
Zone System Unpopular.
: zone system would mean tho
payment Of two fares to get TO an
Of the suburbs OF the city. The op-
position 10 such a plan has been So
strong and SO widespread that III"
commission always has rejected il:
Since Il reduction in the uniform
rate Of fare on both systems wouIu
bring down the earnings of the WASH
ington Railway and Electric Com
pany to a point where that r"a"
would probably apply for additions
relief. II appears likely that the com
mission will rot disturb rates at til
time.
Members Of the comm: m:ssion are ST.
hoping that Congress VIII act on tn
legislation that has been pending TO-
months TO induce a merger OF til
street railways and thereby re.Iev-r
,h-- commission OF the difficult prop
lem OF fixing rates for two companie-
that have such widely different ear.
ing capacities.
The commission will not render its
decision in the street car case unti
briefs have been filed by william
NICK. Clayton. representing the Fed
GRAFTON Of Citizens Associations. ana
Charles T Clayton Of Columhi.-
Heights. AS to the application of III
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephon'
Company for voluntary reduction {
80 cents a month in the rate for III
limited service. the commission vi
decide within a few days whether :,
hold public hearing.
What the commission wants < :...a
out by its present investigation d.
whether the decrease IL reveu"r
which tie telephone company says r
can stand should be taken entirel,
from unlimited subs -ribers or divide
among all telephone users. AT meet
ing Of the Federation OF Citizens Sat
urday night Mr.. Clayton intimateu
that he might ask the federation I"
seek Gu. in electric light rates after
the street car case IS decided.
1t was pointed out at the Distric'
building today that Il reduction /!
electric light rates at this time wou.d
rot directly benefit consumers. sine
the company has authority from tE.
court t. continue 10 collect 10 cent
per kilowatt hour until the Unite
States Supreme Court passes on tn
valuation OF the power company
property.
Action b" the supreme Court is e.
pected in tie spring. If the cornmisSio:
should reduce light rates now. il VOL"
Only result in more money being pile.
up in the impounded fund, the disposs
Of which depends on the outcome Of u
litigation.
There is $4,000. 900 in that fund no7
II the company wins il will get the nos
egg II the commission is sUstarea
the money goes hack to the users o.
electricity.