The Washington times., 1925-04-24

proposal came unexpected today.
The conferences we're only started
several days ago.
The North American Company
several years ago acquired con-
trolling interest in the Washington
Railway and Electric and while IT
has not interfered with the present
manner of operation of the COM
pany, IL il known that the corpora
ton has kept a close eye on trans
portation conditions here.
Before the present step was
taken q preliminary survey was
made here.
May Buy Two Companies.
How a merger, If one is deter
mined practical. could be brought
about is not known.
Presumably the North American
Company would attempt to buy out
the traction and bus company.
There was even some intimation
today that the company already
has made overtures to officials OF
this corporation.
Significant also in the present
situation IL the action OF Potter q
Co., of New York, bankers, IN try
ing to buy out the washington
Rapid Transit Company.
These bankers are now suing in
the District Supreme Court for
control of the bus company. de-
claring Leon Arnold, president,
and that the agreement was never
carried out. They seek to force
the sale.
DeniaIs by Officials.
Rumors today that the North
American Company was behind the
New York bankers were vigorously
denied, officials OF the company de-
cIaring they had not interest now
nor at this time did they contem.
plate trying to buy the bus COM
pany.
It IL an undcubted fact that the
North American Company viii seek
to buy out and control the local
Transportation system IL convinced
after this survey that it would be
profit-naking venture.
The company 10 interested In find
Ing out just what economies can
be affected by a consolidation. Also,
the officials want to know whether
the present facilities are being used
to every advantage; whether re.
routing would increase business,
and where additional lines are
necessary and how profitable they
might be.
Extensions Are Considered.
The further extension OF local
transportation lines into MARYLAND
and possibly Virginia 10 also laid
to be in the minds Of company
officials.
The New York Company is one
OF the pioneers in bus transpcrta-
ton and with the exception of the
fornia is the largest bus operator
in the United States.
This means that the survey
would take in the practicability Of
making extensions to street car
lines with buses and operating
new bus routes.
Development of O car line or
bus line along the Virginia side Of
the Potomac river, similar to Glen
Echo and Cabin John Bridge line
Of the Washington Railway and
Electric will be studied.
Conference I'm Virginia.
Major Covell said 1t was expect.
cd Q conference would be held with
Virginia Public Service officials.
In connection with the agree.
mant, the following statement was
also made public today:
"The North American Company
runs the local street car service in
Milwaukee, Racine and Appleton,
as we'll a. in numerous other cities
in wisconsin.
1T operates buses In connection
with street cars in Milwaukee and
Racine and many independent bus
lines over more than one thousand
miles of route in Wisconsin alone.
1T is probably the largest bus
operator in the United States, with
the possible exception Of the Pa
c!fic Electric Company of Cali
fornia.
This company has good record
as an operator, having operated
the first two.car. three.truck train