Evening star., 1927-11-05

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and attorneys, plans in effect in all OF
the larger cities of the United States
[ have also discussed the matter ex-
haustively with outstanding residents
of the District of Columbia. l believe
that with proper cooperation in every
direction and If every one concerned
will discuss principals and actualities,
a consolidation recognizing every lesi-
innate right of the stockholders and,
at the same time, completely safe
guarding the public interest, can be
accomplished.
Sees Traction Opposition.
"My plan, as you are aware, con-
templates ultimate submission to those
stockholders of the three companies
not already consulted, as well as pub
lie hearings before your commission.
There are some features OF the plan,
however, that until more fully under
stood might scarcely be expected to
appeal to the management of the
properties affected.
Should Mr.. Hanna 8 suggestion rel
ative to conferences be accepted and
should such conferences be promptly
inaugurated and result in a merger,
my entire object will have been at
tanned. Based upon previous results,
however, I believed that some such
intervention as that adopted by me
was necessary to convert lethargy
into action.
"As principal owner Of one of the
utilities involved, shall be happy in
deed to participate in such confer
ences.
ANY plan resulting from such con-
ferences should be open to the fullest
public discussion through public hear
ings, to the end that the best inter-
ests of that public be safeguarded and
conserved. You, of course. understand
that nothing herein contained or any
representations of the management
will deter me from pressing the entire
fairness and justice to all concerned
the public and private interests alike)
of the plans / have already briefly
outlined to you and which I believe
more adequately solves the problem
than anything l have heretofore heard
suggested. What the people of the
District want is action and to that end
l pledge my every effort and co-opera-
ton"
President Held Favorable.
Following conference with Presi-
Utah, ranking Democrat on the Sem
ate District committee, at the White
House, feels convinced that the Presi-
dent is favorably inclined toward
consolidation of the street railways of
the District of Columbia.
The Utah Senator explained that 1T
was not his intention to commit the
President on the subject, but said that
during their talk the latter displayed
considerable familiarity with the sub
ject as it applied to the Boston street
railways and indicated that he is in
terested in the subject as it might APP
ply to the Capital. 1t was the Sena-
tors opinion that the President has
not been advised as to any particu-
lar plan of unification of ownership
and that his favorable attitude is con-
fined at this time merely to the prin-
ciple of consideration.
King to Push Merger.
Senator King declared that the
merger of the local traction companies
should be effected as soon as possible
and that it is his intention to be active
during the coming session in the in
terests of legislation looking to bring
this about. He will insist that the
plan for consolidation should be along
reasonable lines, at least to the extent
that the public interests are safeguard
cd and that the stockholders are pro-
tcCted and that the property rights of
the interested railway companies are
observed.
He stated that if the Public Utilities
Commission submits the plan of con-
solidation along these lines he will
give it his support, but if the plan
does not embody these ideas he will
draft a merger bill of his own. 1t is
the belief of the Utah Senator that
the interests of the public of the Dis
;rict will no doubt be served better
by unification of ownership and there
is no doubt in his mind but what the
traction companies by merging can
operate more economically and show