The Washington times., 1922-10-16
N0T)()ST,
IS VIEW
/ Of HANNA
Testifies at Utilities Hearing.
Clayton Speaks for citi-
zens' Federation.

zens' Federation.
John H. Hanna, vice president
Of the Capital Traction Company,
told the Public Utilities Commits
sion today, at a public hearing in
the District building on car fares,
that his company was opposed to
any lowering of fares.
Mr.. Hanna stressed particularly
the corporations objection to
different rate for his company
than for the Washington Railway
and Electric Company, adding
that entirely apart from the ques-
ton of different charges the
company believes that any lower
ing of fare under present con-
ditions would be unuseful and un-
justifiable."
Cites Commissions Figures.
William Mex. Clayton, represent
ing the Federation of Citizens As
sociation, which organization asked
the commission to reduce the fares
on the Capital Traction presented
his arguments which were princi-
pally a recitation of the Public
Utilities Commissions figures Of the
earnings of the Capital Traction
Company.
Mr.. Clayton, who at the hearing
was associated with Charles L. Clay.
ton, presented the briefest argu-
ment today that he has ever pre-
scented in a railway case. He
pointed out that the Capital Trac-
ton Company was earning more
than a 8 per cent return. and he
indicated that later in the hearing
he would argue that this rate was
excessive.
Later Argument Expected.
No intimation was given this
morning by Mr.. Clayton of the
amount of fare reduction sought.
Mr.. Clayton is expected to make
a further argument after the two
railway companies have stated their
opposition to lower rates.
Mr.. Clayton pointed out that the
monthly rate Of return in percent
age of the traction company from
present rate of fare. was as fol-
lows: March, 9.61: April, 11.32;
May. 11.4s; June. $50; July. 7.s1;
August, 6.92. and September. 7.s9.
Later, Mr.. Clayton will probably
point out that a fair. reasonable
and just return Is 6 per cent. and
ask the Commission to reduce fares
on these lines to bring the earn
ings down to this figure.
The representatives OF the cdi-
Gems association also presented to
the Commission figures designed to
bear out the organizations objec-
ton to the cash and token fare,
the objection centering on the fed
eration's belief that these two fare
methods are discriminatory to l'as:
sengers. He said that in August,
1921, 4.3S5.249 riders on the trac-
tion company lines paid token fares
and 1,144.901 cash fares compared
to August, 1922, Of 4,019,372 token
fares and 1,275, ,943 cash fares. show
ing a considerable increase in 10th
cash and token charges.
MIR. Hanna's Argument.
Mr.. Hanna's argument against
lower fares, briefed, was as follows:
First, we lthe Capital Traction
Company submit that 1t is discrimi-
nation to require us to furnish serv-
ice at less rate than that which
10 paid for equivalent service fur.
nished by other companies.
Second, a practical objection to
two different rates Of fare Is that
the lines of the Capital Traction
Company and those of the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Com
pany are parallel and competitive
throughout the District, and a diff
ferential in the rate Of fare on the
~ hn fKyD afntn
unquestionably result in a diversion
Of a considerable portion of the
traffic now handled by the w. X.
and Z. to the lines of the c. T. Con-.
pany.
I'VE are unable to forecast the
amount of traffic which would he
thus diverted, but II would be
sufficient to overcrowd our cars
during the rush hours and make
the traffic demand on certain of
our lines at least, so great that il
could not be satisfactorily handled.
Believes Rival Would Suffer
1T seems manifestly unwise not
to make full use OF all available
transportation facilities during the
rush hours and differential in the
fare would undoubtedly prevent
this result being attained. 1t Isl
our opinion that II different rates
Of fare were to be charged, 1t |
would probably result in decreasing
the revenues Of the w. r. & Z. |
Company to greater extent than
those Of the Capital Traction Com.
pany.
The commission has in the past
been Of the opinion that two dif.
ferent rates OF fare applying on
the lines Of the two companies
would be unwise from the view.
point of the public. We know
than the commission acted for the |
best interests Of the public In
reaching this decision.
Entirely apart from the question
OF having different rates OF fares on
the lines Of the two companies. the |
Capital Traction Company believes
that a reduction In the rate of fare |
now being charged In Washington
under present conditions would be
unuseful and unJustif!abl,
Tells of Recent ITsws.
Mr.. Hanna pointed out ;hat In re. |
cant EfRnnNhS lnas ~ kaAN