The Washington times., 1922-09-02
FORCES MERGER
BILL BACK ON
|. THE CALENDAR
Jones' Action Puts End to
Legislation Before Decem-
ber, Leaders Believe.

The Senate today took the first
step toward reversing itg action
in passing the voluntary merger
act
reconsideration Of the vote by
which the bill was passed yester.
day. The motion was entered and
reconsideration of the bill prob
ably win be had early next week.
The effect Of Senator Jones &C.
ton il to put the voluntary merger
bill back upon the calendar. from
which pigeon hole 1t probably will
never be exhumed again.
There Is no chance Of rail merger
legislation in the fast waning days
of the present Congress. When the
December session comes, however,
the District COMMITTEES will be con-
fronted by several propositions.
which follow.
Propositions Await December.
The District Commissioners pro.
posal that a merger OF the two
street railway companies be forced
by an excess profit tax levied on
their earnings. The Capital Trac.
iton Company opposes this plan and
has succeeded so far in blocking a
trict Committee. -.. H.
The King bill, authorizing the
CAPITAL Traction Company to trade
in the stock of the Washington
Railway and Electric, on a share
for share basis. In most respects
this is not different from voluntary
merger proposals.
Revised Efforts Planned.
The revised voluntary merger bill.
making the consolidation OF the
Washington Railway and Electric
and the Potomac Electric Power
Company contingent upon a mer-
ger with the Capital Traction Com.
pany.
the Capital Traction Company, re-
newed efforts will be made to get
the District Commissioners plans BE-
fore the Senate.
So far as can be ascertained, Sen
ators Stanley and King are its chief
opponents on the District Commit
tee. Senator Ball favors 1t, as does
Senator Wesley Jones and mum.
ber of other Republican members.
It is probable that the Senate Dis
trict Committee will concentrate Its
efforts in the coming Senate session
to obtaining really effective merger
Legislation. 81,
Public Utilities Attitude.
The Public Utilities Commission.
through Walter c. Allen, secretary,
today made public its position on
the voluntary merger bin. It's po.
munication sent by Commissioner
Charles Keller to Senator Ball
some months ago. II follows:
1.-THE Commission still feels. as
It has in the past, to permit the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company to absorb the Potomac
Electric Power Company ..sbcfore
merging the Capital Traction Com.
pany, will remove from the two
railway companies any incentive
toward the larger merger. since the
present financial disadvantage al.
legged to be experienced by the
Washington Railway would, by the
absorption of its subsidiary, be
completely removed, and Its posi-.
ton with the bankers and the pub
lie would become fully as strong
as that of the Capital Traction Com.
pany." -As -
Commissioner Oysters View.
Commissioner James F. Oyster.
member OF the Public Utilities Conn.,
mission, favors the voluntary merger
bill.
"If this bill will permit the Wash.
! ington Railway and Electric Com
pany to merge with the Potomac
Electric Power Company, l favor 1t"
said Commissioner Oyster. IT do not
think a merger of the railway COM
panies will result in lower fares, but
I do believe that II the Washington
,, Railway and the electric company
get together, we can have fares down
as low as four for quarter, prob
ably lower" a..
The voluntary merger bill pro.
vides authorization for a merger OF
the Washington Railway and Flee.
tric, Potomac Electric Power, Cap
ital Traction and all other railway
companies in this city. 1t ais
allows the Washington Railwa
and Electric to consolidate wit
the electric company without
/ further merger with the CapitP
| Ira ction and other railway con :,