The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-10-30
Stiffening Attitude of the
Public Utilities Commission

The Public Utilities Commission beginning to exhibit
attitude toward the street railway and bus problems
of Washington is apparently determined to get some real
light the interests now in control OF these utlte Win
and toward better and economical service for Inc people
The action Of the commission in appointing W. NICK Clay
ton special counsel ascertain possible the truth as 70
stock ownership and whether the ownership OF large
blocks Of bus and street railway stocks D New aOra con
District should result in useful information quite necessary to
the future handling Of e &c n 1 @
dposng Of utilities questions while there various COM
panies deal WITH is seeking to get from Congress egs
iation that viii force merger that may deal with only
one concern The Commission quite naturally takes the view
also public should be benefited BY merger through
reduction in operating expenses reroutng Of cars Wloer
extension Of transfer privileges, ETC.
Having failed in its former efforts the Commission now
seeking 70 apply pressure and to uncover iacs % y
likely to have interesting revelations the Com
mission and It's representatives have any power to force
TRANSFORMATION heads to OPEN UP.
There is apparent violation Of the antimerger law IN the
ownership large blocks Of stock in local transportation
companies BY the North American Company Of New York
Section Of the law Of June 80 1914 is pretty clear
Section That it shall be unlawful for any foreign
DC utility = sar q iGo local street railroad cor
poratn gas corporations electric corporation telephone
corporation telegraph corporation or any other local
public utility corporation, directly indirectly to own
control or hold vote stock bonds Of any public
utility corporation organised under any law Of the
United States District Of Columbia to do business IN
the District Of Columbia "
The word foreign" is construed by the law to mean
ssf0reign to the District OF Columbia.
This antmerger law which intended to prevent Just
what says Is strengthened by further act Of Congress
approved March 1925 authorizing street railway companies
IN the District consolidate under terms approved by the
Public Utilities Commission with this further provso: That
merger shall be finally consummaed until the same is
approved by joint resolution Of Congress.
The North American Company has bought heavily OF
street railway and bus line stocks here until is
dous power in traction companies. It's purchase Of stocks
has boosted the prices Of street railway stocks to unheard Of
figures especially for stock Of the Washington Rail
way and Electric Company.
The large purchases Of this company apparently in
violation Of law and quite important ALSO its motives toward
the riding public Of Washington couded in mystery It's
main motives unquesonaby TO make money and it has
already accomplished this TO the tune of huge increases in the
prices Of stocks owned by It or its agents
The wishes Of Washington people win be met the Public
Utilities Commission will take off the lid and give view
Of the contents for other than the pubc right
70 know the truth as to street railway matters.