Evening star., 1926-01-28
IbUS LINE HEARING
.PREC|P|TATES CLASH
Proposed Routes by Two
Traction Companies Pro-
tested and Defended.

The proposal Of the Capital Traction
Co. TO establish a de luxe bus line oper.
ating from Thirty.fourth and Ordway
streets to Eleventh and + streets
with a %. cent cash fare. was opposed
by William +. Ham, president Of the
Washington Railway x Electric Co,
at a hearing today before the Public
Utilities Commission. Several resi-
dents along the route of the proposed
line. as we'll as Traffic Director NJ. O.
Eldridge. objected.
Mr.. Ham contended that the new
line would create an additional "un-
necessary" transportation facility
and would traverse a territory dis
. tinctly that of the Washington Rail
way and Electric Co. He also ex-
pressed the belief that there is not
sufficient difference between the par
Ior car coaches and the modern
busses operated by his company to
justify 25-cent fare.
Competition Denied.
A vigorous denial that the pro-
posed line would compete with the
service of the Washington Railway
and Electric Co. was made by George
f. Hamilton, president of the Capt.
tai Traction Co. 1t is distinctly not
the plan of his company. he said, to
compete with the street cars or ordi-
nary motor bus lines. but to give the
public a type of service not hereto
fore supplied.
Arthur w. Dunn objected to the
line on the ground that there are al
ready enough motor busseS operating
on Massachusetts avenue and that
traffic conditions would be intensified
with the parlor car coaches. \ peti
ton, signed by "a residents on Cali
fornia street, protesting against opera
tion of the busses over this thorough
fare was presented to the commission
by William II. White, jr.
Mr. Hamilton Immediately withdrew
that part Of the petition routing the
coaches over California street.
Clash Over WOOdIey Line.
A spirited clash developed over the
petition of the Richmond Park Citi
zens' Association for the extension OF
the Washington Railway and Electric
Co.'S Woodley road bus line into its
territory. The extension was opposed
by residents on the south side of Ord
way street. but the Richmond Park
Associations delegation, headed by w
P. Caples, president, pleaded for the
change, pointing out that their sec
ton is not now adequately served by
transportation facilities.
DIR. C. L. Carsons, one of the spokes
men for the group opposing the ex
tension, argued that the residents OF
Cleveland Park did not want the
moving houses" traversing theil
streets. Among others who disap
proved the extension was o. r. Evans
who declared that the new route would
take the busses past the John Eator
School, and thereby increase traffic
hazards for the pupils.
Others Support Plea.
Supporting Mr.. Caples in his plea
for the extension, were Representative
Oscar Keller of Minnesota, Inspector
William S. Shelby of the police depart
ment; Rosa F. Downing and w. B
Shaw.
The commission this afternoon is
holding another public hearing on the
applicatio of the Washington Rail
Way & Electric Co. for authorization
to relay it's tracks and improve the
overhead trolley on it's North Capitol
street line between V street and Mich
igan avenue The North Capitol Cit
iZens' Association has urged the com
mission to require the company to
install an underground conduit and
remove the overhead trolley when the
tracks are relaid.