The Washington times., 1922-10-21
OPPOSES
CITIZENS
| PROPOSAL
Chairman Prescott Calls on
Utilities Board to Continue
Present Rates.

Supporting the Chamber of
Commerce in its fight on the
proposal Of the Federation Of
Citizens Associations for lower
fares on the lines Of the Capital
Traction Company, Samuel J.
Prescott, chairman Of the Joint
Commission Of Commercial and
Civil Organizations, today asked
for a continuance of present
rates in q letter to the Public
Utilities Commission. .
The Commission denied the Pc
tition of the federation with the
result that William Nick. Clayton,
chairman of the legislative COM
mittee, announced the fight
would be taken to Congress. The
federation wants a lower fare
on the Capital Traction Company
on the ground that the company
is now earning an amount in ex-
cess Of its guarantee.
Chairman PrescOtt's Contention.
Chairman Prescott contends that
O differential rate would work to
the disadvantage of the weaker trac
tion system and accomplish nothing
In the way OF solving the traction
problem here. He advises that hts
committee desires q continuance OF
the present rate OF fare on both
lines.
When the Public Utilities Com
mission heard the Federation of
Citizens Association representa-
tives they also heard from A. Il.
Seymour, secretary Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce. Mr.. Seymour de.
clared that the chamber opposed
any proposal to change the present
rates, and would protest diffe:-
entail in favor Of either the Capt.
Washington Railway and Electric
Company.
Text of His Letter.
The position Of the joint commit
mittee is explained in Mr.. Prescotts s
letter which follows:
"Pursuing the hearing granted
by the Public Utilities Commission
in the matter Of differentiai
street car fare between the nnes
Of the Capital Traction and wash
ington Railway and Electric Com
pany, permit me to advise that the
Joint Committee Of Commercial ana
Civic ORGANIZATIONS on street ran
ways of the District of Columbia
ia on record as favoring a continu'
ance of the existing rate on both
lines. .r,..
''Inasmuch as the public utility
act and all similar legislation al
fecting the public utilities makes IL
mandatory for the Commission TO
guarantee return upon the m
yestment of each utility. any dl1'
ferential in carefare would lmme-
diately operate to destroy even
the possibility of such return, whlcn
must be guaranteed under all con-
alterations.
Revenue for Service.
"In approaching the problem OF
a fair and equitable street railway
rate ast financial history ana mis-
practice. IL any, has little bearing
on the study Of present conditioms'
The Joint committee has repeatedly
Expressed til. opinion that service
must be pad for through revenue.
No other solution Is economically
sound. a.,
ference in rate between the Two
companies would operate TO 'hro"
q DrcDOnOerHIiCe VI uuSihSS
road charging the lesser fare whlch
would Immediately decrease the
earning power of the road with the
longer haul requiring the larger rare
and make Il impossible for the long
haul road to earn what the law
charges the Public Utilities Com
mission with a responsibility TO
guarantee.
Certainly the maintenance OF all
fac lities in an effective CONDITION
Is vital fpctor In the consideration
Of public welfare.
Entitled to Earnings.
Even though 1t Is found that the
short haul road does earn more
than the commission believes 1t il
Justly entitled to there are many
ways in which the users of that
line can secure an individual retW
on their investment in carfare by
better euipment and service.
"The Joint committee of CONNER.
cial and civic organizations on
street railways OF the District of
Columbia has time and again ex-
pressed itself as desiring a solution
OF the operation of street railways.
but 1T does not seem to be antici-
pated in a different street car rate
between the two companies.
Yours very truly,
SAMUEL PRESCOTT,
"Chairman, Joint Committee Of Com.
mercial and Civic Organizations"