The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-16
OPPOSE S
8 -('EN.T
FARE
D. N. Lewis Urges Railways to
Give All Their Facts to
the Public.

"An, Scent rate is high, and
there should be an unquestioned
financial reason, based upon sound
economic principles, for its con-
tinued infliction."
This was the statement made
today by Dwight N. Lewis, presi-
dent of the National Association
Of Railway and Utility Commas
sioners, before the American Elec-
trio Railway conference at the
Willard Hotel.
Should Bare All Facts.
Mr.. Lewis, who said he was a
strap-hanger of thirty-three years
standing, told delegates what he
thought about them and their
business.
Primarily, he said, IL they want.
ed to enjoy smooth sailing, they
should tell their whole story and
not merely part of it to the public
and regulatory bodies. In return
for such treatment, he said, the
public should protect electric rail-
ways against unfair bus competi-
ton and give them fair return
on their investments.
Despite the imposing title, he
said, he doesn't own so much as a
flivver and the chief delight of his
life is to cuss out the motorman,
and the management of his daily
chariot. He has nothing to do in
his job with electric railway regu-
lations.
Tells of Car Tie.up.
Lewis went through the period
in Des Moines when the electric
railway company, peeved over /un-
restricted jitney competition, ran
its cars amuck into the barns and
let the cob-webs settle on them
for about eleven weeks, and he
says he didn't like it at ALL
For almost three months" he
said, I'VE had the exquisite and
agonizing delight Of riding in
nakeshift buses because the street
cars all went to the barns one
night and stayed there. OF course
there were other cities which tried
to take some Of the glory of being
without cars from us. but ] be
lieve that we had a much rottener
time than any of them.
Provides Elastic Fare.
''The city Of Des Moines has voted
new franchise, and, although un-
der fire, l believe will win out in
the court of last resort Under this
we have no fixed fare, but provision
is made for an elastic fare, based
upon the net returns. And while
our fare, is high we have hope that
in the near future results of opera
ton will warrant a reduction. An
Scent rate is high, and there should
be unquestioned financial reason,
based upon sound economic prin-
ciples, for its continued infliction.
Il believe the street railway COM
panies would have Jared better, and
left better taste in the public
palate, II there had been q carefully
planned and executed system of edu-
eating the public to their financial
needs. The American public means
to be fair. It is unnecessary to
retell the sad story of dropping
wages and increased cost of living
following the most inexcusable and
bloodiest war Of history; a tale we
are not yet done with. But the peo-
pie were desperate; and when, on top
OF all their troubles. the utility rates,
including car fares, were advanced,
then there was fruitful field for
the blatant demagogue to SOW his
seeds Of suspicion and hate.
Companies Not Always just.
1T is not easy for a regulating
commission to honestly serve the
people Of it's State. The man who
desires office rather than to be
honest, the man who would rather
be right than be President, but
isn't always so particular when it
comes to city councilman, State
assemblyman, or State office per-
hapS, Is too numerous to be en-
tirely ignored. He inflames the
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