The Washington times., 1922-10-17
CAR FARE WAR
To Be CARRIED
TO CONGRESS
Utilities Commission Expected
to Deny Plea Of Citizens
Submitted Yesterday.

Denied any probability of lower
street car fares by the District
Public Utilities Commission, which
Is expected to dismiss the petition
of the Federation Of Citizens As.
sociations, William NICK. Clayton
today indicated that as soon as
Congress convenes in December a
vigorous fight will be waged to
compel the commission to carry out
the law in favor of a reduction.
Col. Charles Keller. chairman OF
the committee, 1t Is understood. II
opposed to any reduction In street
car fares at this time, having point
ed out that the two companies cp-
Grating in Washington are facing
"ruinous conditions on account Of
high maintenance costs"
In the argument before the COM.
mission, Mr.. Clayton interjected
questions which indicated clearly
that insofar as Commissioner Keller
is concerned, the latter will oppose
any fare reduction 'for some time
yet"
Hanna and Ham Testify.
John H. Hanna. vice president ami
general manager Of the Capital Trac-
ton Company, and William F. Ham.
and Electric Company, were both
witnesses before the Commission yes
terday
Hanna announced opposition to
reduction in fares on the traction
company's lines and also cut on
both lines. Ham took practically the
same position, only going a Etlie
farther by declaring a reduction on
fares of the traction company wouli
neCAssitate a lowering of fares on
his lines.
"A reduction of fares would mean
that this company will be forced 10
seek the Zoning system, declared
Mr. Ham.
This statement brought opposition
from A. +. Seymour. secretary OF
the Chamber of Commerce; Evan II.
Tucker. president OF the NortneasI
Citizens Association. and Major -: ..
Fletcher, of the Takoma Park Gu
zens' Association. All three men oe'
clared their organizations were op
noaed m the zone system of fare col
lection.
Chamber Of Commerce Opposes. =
The position of the business and'
professional men of Washington
that portion who hold membership
cards in the Chamber. was outlined
bv Secretary Seymour. He said the
Chamber approved the present fare,
and saw no reason for change. he
also condemned the zone system. lie
declared the Chamber opposed sep
arate fares, and want uniform rate
on both lines.
Mr.. Clayton presented force1ul
argument before the commission. He
rnnfandad
the commission is bound by law to
deal with each railway company sep
aratelv. Charles T. Clayton, who
also appeared. declared the com
NAMES should each stand on thor
own merits.
w. Nick. Clayton declared the law
does not permit a uniforhm rate
under existing conditions. Does
the law forbid it," questioned
Colonel Keller.
Clayton replied that while there 10
no forbidding clause in the law, the
Commission has neither the right
or authority to imply that because
the law does not forbid uniform
rates under certain conditions that it
permits II.
I CLAYTON pointed out that the TraC-
ton company was making more than
per cent return. which he said was
excessive.
Commissioner Keller concluded
the hearing by requesting Messrs.
Clayton and Clayton to present -
, the commission, at an early dave
a brief setting forth their interpret 4
ton Of the Jaw with regard to UNI
form and separate rates Of fare.
They will file this brief in several
weeks.