Evening star., 1923-06-20
JOINT CR0SS-TOWN
BUS LINE Is ASKED

A proposal that the two street
the cross-town bus line from the
southeast to the southwest section
Of the city was made by the Capital
Traction Company at the hearing be-
fore the Public Utilities Commission
today.
If the commission authorizes the
project on that basis it will be the
second bus venture in which the two
companies have Joined hands. the
first being the Woodley road line.
There was no opposition to the es-
tablishment of this bus line. but a
lively discussion developed between
officials of the companies and repre-
sentatives of the public over the
question of whether two-cent
charge should be made for transfers
from the busses to intersecttne
street car lines.
Ask Free Transfers.
William Nick Clayton. spokesman
for the Federation Of Citizens Asso-
Citations, and John B. Colpoys. rep
testified that there should be free
transfers.
John H. Hanna. vice president of
the Capital Traction Company. stated
in reply that the application for the
bus line was made on the basis of a
2-cent charge for transfers and that
his company would not consider the
proposition without such charge.
William F. Ham, president of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company, took the same position.
He testified that the w. r. and E.
has been operating short bus lines
for more than a year and during
that time have sustained loss of
$4,000.
The Capital Traction Company. he
said has paid $4,000 of that loss for
it's interest in the Woodley road line,
which Is operated Jointly.
Speaks for Navy Yard.
Mr. Colpoys, speaking in behalf of
the navy yard workers, who would
use the proposed line. told the Com
mission that pennies count with
those workers at the present time
and that the bus service should be
rendered on a free transfer.
Replying to Mr.. Hanna's contention
that the bus line probably would
not pay Tor some time 10 come, MT.
Colpoys argued that the Capital Trac-
tion Company has enjoyed a liberal
income on the present rate of fare
and could afford to render the bus
, service without a transfer charge.
Henry Lynn, appearing for the
Southeast Citizens Association, Inc,
said his people were not concerned
with the rate of fare, but wanted
additional service. He suggested that
the Bladensburg road bus line of the
w. r. and e. be extended south from
18th and H streets to the vicinity of
the Eastern High School and con-
meet up with the proposed line from
southeast to southwest.
Extension Urged.
Evan H. Tucker. president Of the
Northeast Washington Association,
suggested an extension of the bus
line across to East Capitol street
Mr.. Ham said his company stood
ready to make any such extension in
the neighborhood of Eastern High
School the commission deemed in the
public interest.
The companies approved Of change
in. the proposed route Of the new bus
line suggested by the Commission, and
! probably be over the commissions 8
route. which follows:
Westbound-From 18th and NJ streets
southeast, west along M street to Sd
street southwest. Sd street to L street
southwest, l. street to Water street,
street to Az street southwest.
Eastbound-From Az and P streets
southwest, along P street to Sd street
southwest, Sd street to M street south
west, east. Oh II street. ts- 1Ith street
southeast