The Washington times., 1927-12-06
SreetR Railway LinesMay Merge
Without Additional Legislation

There is widespread idea among citizens organizations in
Washington that merger Of the street railway lines of this
city is dependent upon legislation by Congress
No additional legislation Of any kind is needed to achieve
merger The last session Of Congress repealed what is known
the LaFoette antmerger provisions of the public utilities
laws Of the District With the removal of this restriction the
two street railway companies free to merge any time
requiring nothing but the approval of the Public Utilities
Commission and Of Congress .2
Whether the setting aside Of the antimerger provisions of
the utilities law would permit the Washington Rapid Transit
Company to share the merger another matter Technically
speaking, it probably does sts p
Even if it does not however BRIEF simple Of Congress
would be sufficient include the bus company in the merger
deal and it would that any merger of transit lines in
the District should include bus concerns for should be re-
embered that nobody yet tell how important bus line
transportation may become here or anywhere else.
Major W. E. r. CoveI Acting Engineer Commissioner of
the District and for nearly four years active in public utilities
problems because Of his connection with the p u O.
authority for the statement that additional legislation
would be in the of CONCESSIONS to railway
interests concessions that might fasten upon public obga
tions not now binding upon it.
Whe the public has profound interest in better street
car service and in seeing that the transportation demands Of
growing city adequately met the real benefits of
merger would be the stockholders in economies which
would enable the consolidated company successfully operate
on reasonable fares.
Unless the stockholders of the street car companies first get
together and agree upon that would have the ap
prova of the courts which protect minority interests and
the Public Utilities Commission why ask Congress pass
merger law when there already authority to merge?
The passage Of merger legislation which would revolu
tonze present laws would necessarily bring merger Of
the two companies they get ready to merge they
would want still further Congress and the
public
going to be quite difficult to get Congress to repeal
amend existing public utilities laws here unless showing
can be made to that body that the companies prepared
merge on definite basis The passage of merger laws
under existing circumstances is like shooting the air
There is no target to shoot at
Chairman Chdress of the F. q, c. doubtless right in
stating that the street railway companies FORCED
to Certainly direct law compel them do
Coercve legislation might force them together but this
is extremely doubtful
Whenever they do merge will be with their interests
In view, unless farsighted men like Harley Wilson
able to convince stockholders that the public also to
be given careful consideration The material welfare of Wash
ngon whole element that should not be overlooked
This citys future dear to all The right kind of merger
will look to the upbudng Of Washington and to caring
future needs-not simply to lining private
pOcketbOoks with gold at the expense of the public.
Three four merger plans will add nothing but in
formation to the street railway problem here merger up
to the railway companies and they merge any minute
they desire There the legal machinery for doing The
merged company could continue operate under present
snd the present utilities commission.