The Washington times., 1927-11-01
The Proposed Merger of D. G.
Transit Companies

The new proposition for merger of Washingtons transit
lines may not Be- in principles details the one that will
eventually consolidate these lines but it is at least the first
genuine serious attempt that direction that holds out
promises Of ultimate results.
In Congress and among the people of Washington there
has long existed belief that merger fair to all interests
the solution Of the transit difficulties have suffered
litigation.
railway managers have to recent years been quite
ukewarm toward merger Our street railway properties
then doing quite we'll with exceptionally prosperous days
for stockholders and inside railway interests.
The future Of street railways not certain. Auto
mobiles and buses have cut heavily into and net
cets There has been steady and painful falling off in the
number Of passengers carried Just what happen the
best street railway minds do not know
So the street railway heads and the stockholders
30 stfnecked about merging They at last willing to
listen to and to the pleading voice of Old Man Dividend
himself The old fellows have been pinned to the
ground. He hears rumblings that create misgivngs
Of equal Importance to the public transit service for the
futuresuch service will satisfy, at the lowest fares
possible.
Then, of interest provision for proper transit
facilities for the Greater Washington that shaping itself
more clearly day. and the fufment Of which must not
be mpeded by lack Of transportation facilities for the million
or more people we will have before great while
Undoubtedly consolidated wemanaged transit company
viii be in better position to the coming Greater Wash
ngon than affair." each company pulling for
There u.s. therefore, civic problem involved which every
lover Of greater and beautiful Washington will under
stand.
Ordinarily the dollar invested public service and the
dividends expected erefrom feel that there other inter-
est to be thought Of Certainly the public given little
sderation by the dollar and the dividend
Whatever division of opinion there may be the merger
proposition pending thousands of Washington people not
enmeshed with self interest will wish for solution that will
benefit Washington and in future The merger that
promises most to this end that is farest toward stockholders
and the public alike will have public approval that free
from selfishness.
The present project has long and rocky road ahead
first be approved by the Public Utilities Commission
later by the District Commissioners and then by Congress It
will undergo changes before final congressional sanction
is given, if at ALL
Then follow of course the approval of at least
thirds of the stockholders the three transit lines the rights
Of objecng stockholders to be protected by the courts
The very able who has brought merger this far
toward possible reality confident that least 100000
will be annually saved in overhead and through routing read
ustments This will be huge saving which street riders
and stockholders should benefit from He is also confident
that the savings will result in holding fares their present
figures and prevent long talked-of increases.
By the provisions of the bill likely to be recommended to
Congress- the merged company will be operated by trustees
combination of what known the Boston and
Cleveland street railway plans The valuation of the prop
critics fixed the BILL probably $5O0000 will be guaranteed
annual return of per cent about the average figure
fixed by the courts Of the country fair to public utilities
Railway and bus fares will be adjusted to give this return
Stockholders thereby definitely assured good return
They not assured such return under existing conditions
This way rugged they Of horse the stakeholder n
the merged company would have lead pipe cinch The
public should off than present. probably better
off in the chances Of improved service and lowest possible fares
Speculation is less useless the situation now
stands Future developments will give better line what
the be- There plenty Of time think over