The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-01
To ACT ON
TROLLEY
FARES
Seven Major Problems Must
Be Met by Board-Phone
Case to Come Up

Seven major problems face the
Public Utilities Commission at the
beginning of the new year, Major
William E. R. Covell, assistant
Engineer Commissioner, revealed
today.
They are:
1. Settlement Of the telephone
case. The commission several
months ago initiated - move to
lower the rates.
2, 3 and 4. Settlement by com
promise or court action Of the val
uatiOn cases of the Washington
and Georgetown Gas Light Com
panies. Capital Traction Company
and Washington Railway and EIec.
trio Company. An increased
street car fare may result.
5. Reorganization Of transpOrta-
ton facilities to Georgetown, Bur.
leith and neighbOring sections, In
GLIDING the possible connecting Of
the Rockville line Of the w. II. & e.
with the Connecticut avenue line
Of the traction company.
s.. Additional bus service to
Barry Farms, Garfield and other
communities in southeast Wash.
ingtOn. This line would be q feeder
to the w. r.. & e.
.. A survey Of the street car sit
uatiOn here, including . study Of
the reasons for q decline in pas
Sengers, rerOuting Of street cars
and the possible formulation Of .
programs of economy.
Faces Busy Year.
"A busy year faces the Commits
don" Major Covell said, These
many important matters should be
settled within the first few months
Of the year.
1--WE are fortunate, however, in
that the Potomac Electric Power
Company valuation case is settled.
This disposes Of one Of the biggest
problems which faced the commits
sion"
The first case to be taken UP prob
ably will be revision of rates OF the
and Potomac Telephone
Company. This corporation has just
completed an inventory Of its prop
artv which commission experts are
checking. Another public hearing 70
consider lower rates probably Will
be held.
The three valuation cases pending
IRE important. Increased valuations
will undoubtedly be given the gas
md street car companies. Inc ooost'
ri value may result in petitions 10
he commission for higher rates.
Two Settlements Possible.
Two ways are open to settle thes"
.oses. one. compromise the same as
he electric company, and, two, fight
he cases out in the courts. BOtn
he CORPORATIONS and commission are
said to be favorable toward a com
promise.
The subject of improved tFanspor-
ration to Georgetown, Burleith, etc.,
rarne up several weeks ago. Several
nlans are before the commission, as
Abandonment of the street car
tracks on Wisconsin avenue from
to the District line.
Opening of two bus lines, one rum
ming from the District line. down
avenue, down Massacnu-
Wptt9 avenue anu 1NIlHOC%AAAS "ASN
street cars at Dupont Circle. Anotner
would start at Massachusetts ana
avenue, traverse Burlelth
nd other communities and end in
c.aorqetown The Washington Rapid
offered to run these two
bus lines if it is also granted permis-
sion to establish cross town bus ser
vice from Georgetown to 't1Iteenth
and Maryland avenue northeast me
netition for across town bus line VIII
Also come up for consideration soon.
Connecting near the District line
of the Rockville line and Connect
cut avenue car lines.
Street Car Survey.
When public hearing was held
recently to consider bus service ~
Good Hope and Hillcrest, ID. G.,
citizens requested that additional
service. be installed to Barry Farm
and Garfield, William F. Ham, presi-
dent of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company, offered to
conditions in this terri
tory and consider the extension by
busses of it's Anacostia line.
The street car survey, If accom-
pIishcd. may improve car service
generally throughout the city.
Passenger losseg IF the railway
companies are reaching millions
yearly" Major Covel sad, "Corse-
Quently earnings of the companies
are taking Il big drop. / believe
that some investigation should be
made to find out just what is caus.
ing this loss and how an increase