The Washington times., 1924-12-31
Stacking Cards for Increased
Car Fares in the District
BY BILL PRICE.

in the Potomac Electric Power Company case that they will
theoretically push for compromise agreements in their
valuation cases. still pending in the courts to the end that
THEY MAY ASK FOR AND OBTAIN HIGHER CAR FARES
In the District Of Columbia
That is what suspected and that why this newspaper
preferred to await developments before getting too
thusastc about the electric light compromise We did
50 pointed out but did take occasion to that an al
lowance Of 7 per return upon the valuations agreed
upon entirely too high the light Of facts and conditions
existing for the last seven years.
also pointed out by this newspaper that the al
lowance Of this return would be MOST GRATIFYING
PRECEDENT" public utilities in the District The "ioker
In the agreement beginning show Its face It is plain
that the utilities corporations which still have valuation and
rate or fare cases pending in the courts are iced to death
that 7h per business. For many years. and in
many ways they will ring in the charge that the Public
Utilities Commission having agreed to 10 per cent return
panes the gas company and the telephone company similar
valuations finally allowed and if the commission
follows the logic of its action will be compelled to in
crease fares here far above those in effect.
The game clearly shapes this way and wish to give
plain warning Congress and the people Of Washington that
whatever benefits the public obtained in settlement Of the
electric light litigation will be taken away from them if
possible in higher street car fares and gas rates
We canddy believe that Congress h far alive to the
outcome than the people Of this city who too often show
utter indifference to what happens to them and do not back
up those fighting their battles.
Evidences begin to accumulate that the Potomac Electric
Power Company had something its sleeve when huriedy
accepted compromise on valuations and rates It was viii
ing grant the public few benefits that
could have dangerous precedent to get from the public
money in other in which its owner the Washing
the future results the imposition Of higher fares
in the District then the public has been BUNKED and will
lose financially all 1t has gained in this one
We not believe that the Public Utilities Commission
IN ignorance to the Developments Of the last few days
giving the people Of Washington the ga Therefore gentle
men OF the o. o. we feel that going to be the
alert.
The Washington Railway and Electric Company claims that
is earning just little above per valuations
Of its properties, determined by the Public Utilities Com
mission the commission enters into another compromise
similar to the one in the electric light case there is telling
what car fares viii have be put at to give the company
valuations for the railway company and of course much
higher rate Of return than per cent.
And here is the poor old Capital Traction Company which
Tor years got rate Of return much higher than ia per cent
viii claim that its day returns below that figure
and that increased valuations should have expects
20 De allowed higher car fare than cents cash six tokens
for 40 cents.
And then yOun the Washington Gas Light Company
putting its hands them filled out of the pockets
Of the public through higher gas rates.
The Capital Traction Company has tenaciously held out
trio Company It's that had every advantage Of
the equities Of the street railway situation here and did
wish to give up the good thing had for many years.
Now the Washington Railway and Electric Company
through the unexapd prosperity thrust upon by the sue
cesses OF its own power company doubtless entirely
cerned about We pointed years ago 1.-THE
time was to when the underdog the street rail
way scrap would feel himself well top. So it is today
Lne fuOnc Utilities Commission must not let these cold
facts get away from it:
The Washington Railway and Electric Company through
us Potomac Electric Power ownership has thrived WELL
and bonds have been mounting higher and higher months
The common stock of that company only few years
regarded with disdain is quoted at "91 bid" and is
paying good dividend The preferred stock has missed
dividend.
This street railway prosperity and stock booming
from big dividends received from the electric lgtnr Corn
pany which has been long allowed returns p g. G. valua
lions far above TIE cent No wonder the lighting
pany willing to accept "meager little To per cent re-
turn in the future when it could bring about similar
return street railway properties it would be attenng the
combination beyond imagination.
This newspaper believes that every HONESTLY INVESTED
and fairly expended dollar put into public utility now or in
the past should be permitted reasonable That is no
than capital deserves but when utility gets MORE
THAN REASONABLE RETURN the money is taken out
OF the pockets OF people who just much entitled
thrive and enjoy prosperous conditions utilities corpora
tiOn
The people of this city must be compelled to meet
higher costs at every turn that public utilities companies
shall have REPEATED FINANCIAL FEASTs and stock
booming New York scale JUSTICE applies to human
beings well to INVESTED DOLLARS Let Justice
prevail.