Evening star., 1925-06-21
BY |, A. FLEMING.

tion of the Capital Traction Co
of some S10.500,O0O might at f1rst
glance be construed as an indication
that higher fares in the near future
were among the possibilities
However, conditions in street rail
way traffic are such that there IL
every probability that the present
rates mark the peak and that they
will be more or less standard from
this time on.
| What the increase in physical val
! uation' did do was to remove all feal
of interference with the affairs Of the
| Capital Traction Co. in an effort Il
bring about equality in earnings be
tween the two utility companies. Il
will readily be recalled that Congress:
did consider the matter of tax i'm
post on traction earnings.
! Now, however, Capital Traction
earnings, after operating expenses and
fixed charges, are running q close race
with the present dividend rate on the
stock of the company.
| Rates Believed Stabilized.
1t is within the possibilities that al
application and presentation of the
case by the Capital Traction Co. NIGH
result in the granting of higher fares
There is small chance, however thai
!
This belief is based on the theory thai
neither of the street railway com
panies will take any chance of forcinl
further bus and cheap automobile com
petition, competition that has
already greatly reduced the revenues
of both the Washington Railway ant
Capital Traction companies.
I Bus lines are offering serious com
! petition TO street cars and making
<ff
with more persistency. In the matter
| of comfort personal opinion would
| favor the street car in competition
| with bus traffic. but there are condi
| tions under which the bus is a favor
| lite. The fight of the bus lines for the
| franchise for the proposed Chevy
Chase line. down Connecticut avenue
| indicated the trend of bus competition
Not Monopoly.
An increase in the physical valua
| tion of the Potomac Electric Co. such
| as was made at the time of the set
tlement Cor disposal of the escrow
fund. or in the valuation of the Wash
| lneton Gas Light Company. or of the
| Chesa peake and Potomac Telephone
Co. would be an entirely different mat
| ter and would be followed sooner oil
later by request for higher service
rates, on the generally admitted
theory that corporations are entitled
to per cent on their valuations.
And these companies have the stu
alton so well in hand that they dare
innate cost without risk of losing 6
| customer
There are those who look for the
Potomac Electric Co. to renew in
| curry Tor return TO higher rates fol-
current during the coming Winter
based on their greatly recently in
| creased valuation
The new valuation Of the Washing
ton Gas Light Company is also await
ed with interest.
Bankers Convention.
On Wednesday evening of this wee,
a special train provided by the Dis
| trlct Bankers Association Will tax,
delegates. officials and guests aboa r,
en- route to Hot Springs, Va, for tn.
third visit and the seventh annus
convention OF the organization. AL
ready the number of reservations ex
ceeds 225. by far the largest for an,
| convention yet held
1t Is evident that Hot Springs /
the most available and desira Bile locs
ton Tor the annual conventions O
local bankers. no less than for yir
ginia bankers
The first convention was held q
Deer Park. Nd, the second on the iii
fated Midland, the third at Whit,
Sulphur, the fourth and fifth at Ho
springs and the sixth at Whit
Sulphur.
This year an effort was made t,
vary the program and an earnes
attempt made to secure needed accom-
modations elsewhere, with especia
attention to Asheville, but the com
mittee was unable to secure tn,
accommodations at the time desired
Each annual convention has bee,
replete with interesting and instruc
tive features appropos to the bankin,
business.
Former Sessions Helpful.
Each session has advanced III,
harmony and cooperation among tn,
men in the same line of business
reaching its highest degree in th
past year under the presidency o
Victor B. Deyber. an earnest capa bl,
worker. a diplomat. holding the con
fidence and respect of his associates
1t has indeed been period of in
tcreasing usefulness and added impor
tance to the District Bankers Asso
| citation. The executives who hav'
managed the affairs of the organiza
ton, Messrs. Thorn, Rosenberg. Lar
ner. Harper. Evans, Haynes and Dey
ber have all worked faithfully, eacl
developing closer unity between tn,
bankers, while programs of rare ex
cellence have been rendered for tn,
edif1cation of the fraternity with nev
methods of doing business resultant
The social and amusement features
of the convention have grown in i'm
lportance with each gathering of tn
clan. Golf, tennis, bridge and swim
ming Journeys are held for the ladies
golf and tennis for the men and th'
family dinner. joint affair, held OIL
the evening Of the final day of th'
lconvention proper, has been a matte
Of keen enjoyment to all.
Splendid Reports Given.
Appointment of committees by tn,
presiding official has always brough
the best possible work out of com
mitteemen, indeed, some of the report
have been marvels of thorosghnes
and research.
The method of rotation in office Il
vogue in the associa ton has resulte
lin making men familiar with the worl
of the orga niZation: has especially
fitted them for each stage of eleva
ton from secretary, through to vic
Financial Highligh
Brought Out in !
| 81 tn