The Washington times., 1924-03-03
FF|CIALS
TTACK
MOVE
Ham Threatens Court Pro.
.ceedings, and Hamilton De-
cIares Action Is Unfair.

Su8u 90 NSStOBU 10 Stbb0uS
A public hearing called by the
Public Utilities Commission to dis
cuss the legality of deducting ac-
crued depreciation from the fair
valuation Of Washington utilities
corporations opened in the board
room of the District building to-
day.
From the outset, the dozen at
torneys representing the WASH
ington Railway and Electric Com
pany, Potomac Electric Power
Company, Washington and George
town Gas Light Companies, Capt.
tai Traction Company and the
Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company indicated vigorous
opposition to the proposition.
Attacked nv Ham.
William F. Ham, president Of the
w. r. & E., and P. E. p. Co., went
30 far as to declare that the COM
missions plan was inconsistent with
it's previous policies and would not
stand a ghost of a show in the
courts" He said today's hearing
was nothing more than a revalua-
ton proceeding and was not being
conducted according to law.
The Capital Traction Company,
represented by George E. Hamilton,
president, and G. Thomas Dunlap,
attorney, stated "the deductiO Of
the depreciation reserve from fair
value would be manifestly unfair
to the owners of the company.
The first move on the part Of
Major J. Franklin Bell, Engineer
Commissioner and chairman Of the
Public Utilities Commission, was to
make the telephone company
party to this hearing.
The local commission has no
Jurisdiction over the telephone com.
pany in depreciation matters usual.
ly, but Major Bell ruled that in
this case the company should be
includede. Dozier De Vane, at.
torney for the company, signified
his willingness to argue the ques-
ton before the commission.
Major Bell Explains.
Major Bell told those gathered in
the board room that the commits
sion was seeking to establish some
method of applying depreciation
charges to fair valuation. He also
said that during the hearing he
would like to learn the views Of
the companies as to whether the
straight line or sinking fund method
should be used in determining de.
probation.
Mr.. Hamilton was the first wit.
ness called. He read a three-page
statement expressing his company's
views and requested that at q later
date John H. Hanna, general man.
ager Of the company, be allowed
to make a statement. Mr.. Hanna
Is out OF the city and will return
Thursday.
Mr.. Ham was then called. He
pointed out that his company wasn
following the straight line metho
and that the Capital Traction CO
pany had adopted the sinking FIJI
method. He then made the char
that the hearing was nothing bl
revaluation.
Waffle VI NUUTU ACG1Ous
IF you attempt to make a re.
valuation contrary to the act Great.
ing the Public Utilities Commission.
we must appeal to the courts" Mr..
Ham warned. 1.-The commissions
stand is inconsistent with it's pre-
vious policies and inconsistent with
the attitude it has adopted In the
courts"
Mr.. Ham then went into a de.
tailed discussion Of the depreciation
question. He said that no deduc.
ton should be made from fair val.
uation for accrued depreciation.
This afternoon attorney for the
other utility corporations will pre-
sent arguments.
ing the Federation Of Citizens AS.
ISOLATION, had taken no part In the
hearing up until a late hour this
morning. He probably will present
arguments this afternoon.
There was a dozen lawyers pre.
scented this morning to represent
the various utility corporations. in.
GLIDING, in addition to those men.
toned, Benjamin s. Minor. Conrad
H. Syme, Roger Whiteford. George
Hoover, s. r. Bowen and John 8
Barber.
In addition the presidents of the
four principal utilities in Washing.
ton were in attendance. Francis
II. Stephens represented the Public
Utilities Commission.
This is the most important hear.
ing the commission has held in
several years. A decision to deduct
accrued depreciation from fair val.
uation may result In general re.
duction In street car fares, gas,
electric and telephone rates.
Lecture on Shakespeare.