Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14
RETALIATION SEEN
IN TRACTION CASE
Short Cut Appraisement Pos.
sibIe as Result of Fight
Against Fare Increase.

A possibility that the Public Utili-
ties Commission may make a partial.
shortcut valuation of the Capital Trac-
tion Co. before reaching decision on
its application for higher fare devel-
oped yesterday as a result of the eff
forts of William A. Roberts, vice chair
man of the public utilities committee
of the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions, to forestall fare increase.
The commission plans to resume con-
sideration of the fare case tomorrow
morning at 10 O'Clock. and there had
been indications that an early decision
would be reached. The question of val
uation, 1t was thought, had been in
formally dismissed as undesirable and
unnecessary, but it now appears in the
light of developments as the most i'm
portant element in the case-one. that
will have to be disposed of definitely
before further attention is given the pc
tition for revision in rates.
The subject of revaluation was again
injected into the case when Corpora
tion Counsel william w Bride, gen.
eral counsel of the commission. in sheer
anticipation of request for ruling
on Roberts contention that the COM
mission is legally bound to make a new
valuation before fixing different rate
of fare. asked the federation's repre-
sentative for legal opinions to sup
port the point he raised. Roberts forth
with produced a decision of an Ohio
District Court which Bride said is a
strong case on the subject.
Partial Valuation Adequate.
Bride subsequently expressed an in
formal opinion of the "curbStone' va
riety. which in the main supports the
contention of Roberts. The corpora
ton counsel, however, believes that a
complete revaluation is not necessary.
A new valuation arrived at by using as
a basis the value fixed by the Court
OF Appeals in 1925, and adding the bet
termentS and deducting depreciation
and retirements, he thinks, would be
sufficient in the case.
A complete valuation of the physical
property of the car company would cost
between 100000 and $150,000 and con-
sumo more than years time, but a
new value determined by the Bride
formula could be completed, 1t is es-
timated, within a few weeks at an in
consequential expense.
The commission most likely will ask
Bride for an official opinion on the sub
ject when it convenes tomorrow morn
ing. If it does. and governs itself ac-
cordingly, there is reason to believe that
the present rate of car fares will con-
tinue for several weeks to come.
Prepared to Fight.
Regardless of the potential delay that
may now occur in the disposition of
the car company's petition, the utilities
committee of the federation is prepared
to go into the courts to fight an in
crease in fares If such step becomes
necessary. The committee already has
been promised the support of People IS
been authorized to raise funds, If they
are needed. to carry on legal pro-
ceedings.
While Fleharty's assistance may OBJ
viate the need of funds, the people s
counsel said yesterday that he thought
any money that might be raised could
be used advantageously by retaining
counsel to collaborate with him in a
court fight. The committee. however,
has not yet indicated whether 1t pro-
poses to start Embarrassing campaign.
deferring It's plans for the future on
the outcome of the fare case. A derial
of the car companys plea for higher
fare would. of course. obviate the pro-
posed legal proceedings and the need
OF money to carry on the fight.