The Washington herald., 1922-07-08
Laying Down the Cards.

W Traction Company declares he believes the
street companies OF the District
returning to state OF normally. He goes so far
as to intimate that within snort period his COM
pany will be able to reduce fares. That is unless
the Public Utilities Commission imposes addi-
tional financial obligations in the matter OF inn
provements.
MIR. Hannas statements extremely interest
ing. Also they important. When official
OF Washington railway company
a probability OF fares being reduced, when he
suggests that the companies not the brink
OF financial ruin. then the patrons OF street
lines may begin to take heart. 1t is true that
Mr.. Hannas corporation never pretended to be
facing financial ruin, but at the time it is
not matter OF record that the Capital Traction
refused to avail itself OF the increased fares decreed
for the District. That it was enabled to take
advantage OF the situation is more a reflection
the lawmakers who made it possible than the COM
pany itself The point is that the Capital Traction
was making money under the old OF fare and
is making considerably under the increased
rate.
If the Of the Capital Traction Com
pany have increased if normally is just around the
corner for this company, then surely the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company revenues
show some increase. Whether the increase
is sufficient to offset the drain on its resources
incurred through the wild oats in other days
is point yet to be determined But it is reason
able suppose that if normacy awaits just around
the corner for the Capital Traction Company it
cannot be very far from the w. R. G. F. That
is, unless there is natural antipathy between the
.WRECO and normally. We wonder!
Since reports from various parts OF the coun-
try indicate this same normalcy to be within hains
distance we cannot pay extraordinary homage to
the perspicacity OF Mr.. Hanna. Rather are we
constrained to think that in reality it has been
lurking about Mr. Hanna's doorstep for some time
without being obtrusve call forth public
comment. Doubtless the WRECO occupies much
the position.
F.. These suppositions being true perhaps the
WRECO is not in such terrible financial
straits to preclude its public appearance with
the Capital Traction; perhaps some Of the time
worn corporation arguments against merger OF
the two lines have withered under the warmth
radiated from the aforesaid normalcy. 1t is doubt
ful in the extreme if Mr. Hanna's vision has ever
appeared to WRECO officials; il is more likely
thesc gentlemen will accredit his optimism to the
proposed increase in the tariff on tenpennv nails
However
Whether the street railway officials are con-
'cious OF it not the public which patronzes their
ines Is rapidly approaching state Of normally;
etdlt NHcIe u VIII no longer be OFT with
;pecious arguments and where its voice of protest
against unjust imposition OF extravagant fares will
lot be stlcd
The public OF Washington knows that nothing
an be done toward iorcible merger at this ses-
lion OF Congress. But it Is not so sure that some
hing will be done at the next In fact, there
every assurance that the matter will be pre-
tented at the Capitol in such way that no argu-
nents Will serve to prevent passage OF drastic
merger bill. The stage is set for this very
,ventuality.
Knowing these facts and with prosperity
coming on the horizon is it not time the traction
'fhcials laid their cards the table and talked
acts We know by heart all the traction argu-
nents against voluntary merger; against laying
he cards the table and seeking to accomplish
omething And know and they know a
merger can be accomplished, voluntarily, legally
nd prohtably to their own interests and to those
1 the public.
Normally is not chmera it is at our doors
80 why not stop blufing and have showdown