The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-29

will begin the job of bringing all
accounts up to date. The next step
will be to list all electric users
alphabetically and go through the
ledgers and find out how much of
the impounded fund should go to
each person. The next step is to
Identify each person and give out
the money.
Mr.. Ham said that the company
must insist on the right to require
the identity of claimants for this
fund. He said he was sure the
court would agree, to rules govern
ing identity methods.
"Of course, in many instances
Identification will be unnecessary,
he said. For instance, If we have
on our books, Mr.. John Doe, who
lives at a certain address. Our
books show that Mr.. Doe has been
living at the same address for eight
years.
1t will not be necessary for Mr..
Doe to identify himself.
Will Cut Red Tape
I'm instances where people have
moved. and make claims for bills
incurred and paved in their old
address, we will insist that they
prove their right to part of this
money. But there will not be red
tape and electric consumers viii
have little difficulty in establishing
their claims
Company officials were still lin
the air. as to how long it would
be before the first checks go out.
1t is impossible to make any
prediction at this time" Mr.. Neal
said. The task is a stupendous
one and involves much detail and
routine work. The task OF com
putting the interest on individuf.
accounts is one of the biggest 10
and may take MONTHS
President Ham, however, decla:
the company would rush the
pletlon OF the distribution joI
we are just as anxious to
out the money as the peopl,
to get it, Mr.. Ham said.
Ask Public to Be Patient.
Company officials asked the j.
lie to be patient.
Rules governing distribution
the fund will be made public i'm
Few days. Electric consumers mus
I'LL out forms to establish theil
claims. Identification will be re
CURED in some instances. The
claims will be checked against the
company'S books and the none,
will then be given out.
No accurate estimate of the indi
vidrai amounts to be given out could
be obtained today. One estimate.
generally accepted, was that consun.
ers would get about ten cents back
on every dollar they paid in since
1917. 1t may be slightly below this
amount. but it will not go higher.
Probably several thousand of per-
sons entitled to some of the fund
have given up their residences in
Washington. No attempt to com.
municate with them will be made
by the company under present
plans. They. however, can get
their money if they file claims.
Money To Go To Estates.
Cases in which the electric con.
sumers is dead are provided for.
The money will go TO their estates.
Receipted bills are not necessary,
although they may be used to good
advantage in the event a consumer
believes the company is not giving
him the amount he is entitled T."
The $2,800,000 which goes to the
electric company is already in the
hands of the corporation. There
was some talk today that about
one.half of this amount would b,
used to pay per cent dividend -
holders of common stock Of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company for the four years, from
1919 to 1928. that no dividend wa
declared.
Definite action disposing of thi
money probably will be taken 2
the next meeting Of the board
directors of the company.