Evening star., 1922-12-01
Utilities Commission Favors
Uniform Rates on Both
Systems.
CITES FORMER ATTITUDE
SUPPORTED BY CLAYTON
Citizens Federation Petition De-
MED, Leaving Six Tokens
for 40 Cents.

The petition of the Federation of
Citizens Associations for a reduction
In fare on the lines Of the Capital
Traction Company was denied by the
Public Utilities Commission today.
This means that the present rate of
six tokens for 40 cents. or s cents cash.
will remain in effect on both street
railway systems.
William NICK. Clayton. counsel for
tho citizens. based his case on the
contention that it is discrimination. in
violation of the utilities law, to con-
tinue the same rate of fare on both
systems when that rate nets the Capt.
tai Traction Company a greater in
come than it gives the Washington
Railway and Electric Company.
In its decision handed down today
the commission quotes testimony from
the street car rate cases Of 1918 and
1919, in an effort to show that Mr.
Clayton's present position Is out OF
harmony with the views he held at
that time.
Earlier Testimony shown.
The commission has written into
its verdict passages from the earlier
rate cases, showing that few years
ago Mr.. Clayton contradicted him
self by testifying that the Commits
sioners would be guilty of discrimina-
tion if they fixed different rates OF
fare for each company.
The commission also incorporated
in its decision the legal opinion OF
Corporation Counsel Stephens. print
advised the Commissioners they were
entirely within the law in maintain
ing a uniform rate OF fare.
THE question of uniform rate OF
fare did not assume an important
aspect" states the commission. until
Company applied to the commission
in February. 1919, for further in
crease in rates. in which petition the
Capital Traction and other smaller
companies did not Join. During the
consideration Of that case. the direct
it would be discrimination under the
law to grant the Washington Railway
and Electric Company one rate OF
fare and the Capital Traction Com
pany a lower rate.
"Mr. Clayton said: In my view you
could not do it,
commissioner Brownlow: In your
view, if we grant an increase of rates
to the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company on this petition. are we
bound by the law to grant a similar
increase to the Capital Traction Com
pany?
mir. Clayton-I believe you are
That is my position. and ! canno,
avoid it after reading the law as
understand it
Commissioner Brownlow-Tn othe,
words, the discrimination would not
apply to different customers of the
same company, but of two companies
rendering similar service?'
"Mr. Clayton-I so read the law
"When this question again came be.
fore the commission in October. 1919
on the application Of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company fol-
further increases in the rate Of fare
Mr.. Clayton reiterated his position
that it would be discrimination under
! the law to authorize different rates OF
fare on these companies.
chairman kutz-'We understand
that you are opposed to granting ar
increase to the Washington Railway
and Electric Company. and at the
same time granting 1t to the Capital
Traction Company? . ~
course, II you will pardon me.
don't believe under the law you could
do ANYTHING else but grant 1t. be-
lieye it would be discriminatory 9TH
erwise."
Reasons of 1919 Restated.
The commission then restates the
reasons it gave in 1919 for keeping
the rate of fare tho same on both
systems. Briefly. those reasons were
that different fares would so conges1
traffic on Capital Traction cars as tc
make it impossible for that company
to render good service. At the same
time, the higher fare on the Wash.
ington Railway and Electric lines
would drive so many passengers tc
the lower-priced Capital Traction
cars as to nullify the effect of the in.
crease granted the Washington Rail
way and Electric.
In conclusion. the commission says
AFTER carefully reviewing the evi.
dence and giving full weight to the
legal arguments presented by coun.
sci, the commission Is of the opinion
that no sufficient reason has been
shown to Justify the change in Its
policy This policy is based upon
the interest Of the entire public In
the preservation Of efficient and de-
pendable street railway transporta-
| tion in all parts of the Districts
1T is therefore ordered that the
petition Of the Federation Of Citizens
Associations for reduction in the
rate of fare on the lines of the Cap.
ital Traction Company be. and the
! same is hereby, denied"