Evening star., 1923-10-03
HALF FARE 0NCARS
/ FOR PUPILS ASKED
Citizens Association Esti-
mate Larger Traffic as
Revenue Offset.

Half fare for school children on the
street railway lines of the District II
asked by the Federation OF Citizens
Associations II, petition flied with tins
Public Utilities Commission today. =
In the petition William Mex. Clay
ton. representing the federation, puts
forth the argument that if such a rate
resulted in twice as many children
riding TO and from school the earnings
of the campanies would not be re.
duced.
over SO, 900 children are now in at
tendance on the regular sessions OF
the public schools, and d considerable
number of these are compelled, by
living long distances from the
schools they attend. to ride daily "a
and from the schools" the petition
states
Inrreaxe Is Predicted.
TT has been estimated that 80 PEI
cent of those attending the high
schools arc so compelled to ride. The
establishment of junior high schools
taking the seventh and eighth grade
pupils from the neighborhoods in
which they reside, will still more In
crease the present necessity Of riding
The unusual home development OF
certain sections Of the District and
the failure to provii2. local school
buildings to accom- modate the Cbnor-
nal local demands have resulted in
pupils of the grade schools being
transferred to buildings re1iote from
tseir new homes Ind not within rea-
sknab!e walking distance.
TIN the autumn rains and in the
winter SHOWS thousands OF primary
shade pupils might be saved ex.
pssure were the carfare within q
reasonable limit. Those children
wslo habitually walk TO school should
btce access to the street cars or
sfrmy days. but an Scent earfart
s4nds them stopping through the
streets to sit for several hours, wet
Utd miserable in class, when q ride
of few blocks might have saved
tie perils of ill-health and the fees
of a doctor"
Other Cities Cut Fare.
sMr. Clayton tells the commission
that scores OF American cities have
had for many years reduced rates foi
bbuIlt stHOoi puBiis BOluS " anu
fTpm school,
fThe petition points out that In
rFurnfng from school in the after.
Moons the children would use the cars
af time when cars are not crowded
s'The companies need more passen-
gers" he continues. give the school
children a chance to become such
The best way TO advertise for pas.
sengers is TO lower fares
In conclusion, Mr.. Clayton said that
tfI the operation of a half-fare for
sehooI children should result In the
Companies rates of return dropping
t9 point where they could no longer
adequately serve the public" the
cdfnmission should then so adjust the
fare TO the general public that the
rsFe OF return could be justified under
the law az fair and reasonable alike
to- patrons and company.
Sought Reduction Before.
Several years ago. uncer former
n1hnicipal administration, the ques.
tien OF a special rate for school chill.
dHen was broached, but the Commits
stpners then took the position thai
they could not, under the law, estab.
lish one fare for school children snt
g. different one for adeflts. -
fr. Clayton says the federation ir
the past, has had the support Of the
board of education in it's effort to OBJ.
tan a reduced car fare for school
boys and girls.