Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-10-17
SEES ZONE SYSTEM
IF FARES ARE CUT
W. F. Ham, However, 0p-
poses Change and Believes
Public Disapproves.
HARD ON SUBURBANITES
Head Of W. R. & E. Railway Com
pany Protests Lowering of Fares
on Capital Traction Line.

A zone system of car fare, so vigor-
ously opposed in the past, once more Is
before the Public Utilities Commission.
1t was brought into the limelight by
William F. Ham, president of the WASH
ington Railway and Electric Company,
testifying before the commission yester-
day afternoon on the application of
the Federation of Citizens Associations
for a reduction in the present rate Of
fare on the lines of the Capital Traction
Company only.
Mr.. Ham said he did not want zone
system and did not believe the people Of
Washington wanted such an arrange
ment, whereby suburbanites would have
to pay two fares to get to and from the
city.
Would Have to Meet Cut.
He added. however. that If the COM
mission decided to cut the rate on the
Capital Traction Company, the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
would have to meet such a reduction in
the city proper and collect an additional
fare from the suburbanites.
IF it is true that the short-haul rider
on the Capital Traction cars Is entitled
at this time to a lower fare, then it is
equally true that the long-haul passen-
ger on our lines should pay a higher
fare" Mr.. Ham reasoned.
When the taking of testimony was
completed practically every civic leader
In the boardroom took the floor to regis
ter protest against the imposition of
zone system. Among those who took an
anti-zone position were. A. E. Seymour.
Chamber of Commerce Evan H. Tuck
er. Northeast Citizens Association, and
Maj. D. S. Fletcher, Takoma Park Citi-
zens' Association.
Seek Cut on One Line Only.
The present case hinges on the right
of the commission to consider the two
companies jointly in fixing rates. The
federation is contending that the COM
mission has no authority in law to
allow the Capital Traction Company
to continue to earn 9 per cent on its
valuation.
William NICK. Clayton, represent
ing the federation, insisted through
out the hearing yesterday that he
was arguing solely for cut on the
Capital Traction lines. He said it
was for the commission to decide
whether such a reduction should be
passed on to the W. r. & +. or separate
rates ordered for the two systems.
Col. Keller, chairman of the COM
mission. granted the representatives
Of the federation permission to file
briefs in support of their contentious
until those written arguments are
submitted.
Would Cut Transfer Charge.
In his concluding argument Mr..
Clayton urged the commission to
abolish the 1-cent charge for inter-
company transfers.
Practically the entire afternoon
session was devoted to testimony Of
Mr.. Ham to show what a demoraliz-
ing effect separate rates of fare on
the two systems would produce.
Mr.. Ham concluded his presentation
with this comment: 1T is service the
people are interested in, not techni-
cality Of the law. I don't believe you
will get good service with separate
rates Of fare"
Mr.. Seymour Of the Chamber Of
Commerce and Mr.. Tucker also went
on record in favor Of a; uniform rate
Of fare on both systems.