Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-06
FOREIGN" CONTROL
DENIED BY WILSON
Merger Plan Author Offers
Proof of Street Car Lines
Ownership.

Charges that the two local street car
systems are under Illegal foreign con-
troll which again fared up 10 disrupt
the merger hearings today. were met
with fiat denial by Harley P. Wilson,
vice president. and director Of the
North American Co.
The North American Co. does not
now. and never has. owned controlling
interest in either the Washington Rail-
way and Electric or the Capital Trac-
ton companies" Wilson declared at the
close OF heated argument with
William Mex Clayton and William A.
Roberts. representatives Of the public
utilities committee of the Federation OF
Citizens Associations.
Wilson Offers Proof.
Wilson offered to put into the record
a communication from the president OF
the North American Co. expressing
entire willingness 10 state all facts re-
ating TO stock ownership in the two
local traction companies, and. in re-
sponse to a demand from Clayton and
Roberts. promised 10 come clean" on
the records OF all stock ownership held
either by the company or through its
officials and trustees
AT the outset OF the hearings today
the charges previously made by Clay
ton burst out anew when Wilson
countered by accusing Clayton of mis-
representing the Federation OF Citi-
aens' Associations and OF making
statements unsupported by facts.
Clayton had charged that the North
American Co. had violated the law By
acquiring more than 20 per cent OF
the stock OF the Washington Railway
s. Electric Co. and that Il would be
further violation II the New York con-
Germ voted its stock on the pending
merger agreement.
Replying Indignantly 20 the trans
portation official. Roberts charged VIII
sons speech was n elimination Of sew
eral weeks effort ~ cause 6iSSenSion
in the Federation OF Citizens ASSocia-
tions and to cloud the issues At stake
Ill the merger agreement.
Chairman ChildreSs OF the Public
Utilities Commission jumped into The
breach ut the end OF al hours violent
controversy. by ruling that II there WAS
anything Illegal Ill the stock ownership
OF the North American Co II can be
argued at the end OF the hearings. We
have had all Of the arguments neceS-
sary at this time" he declared
Speaking as a director Of the North
American Co. but not. he said. as u
representative Of that company. WiiSoo
charged that Clayton yesterday had
made deliberate effort ~ cloud the
iSsue by presenting statements which
he knew were unsupported by the facts
He demanded ot Clayton whether he
appeared here i'll opposition 10 ,she mer-
ger and III what capacity.
Clayton Relates Position.
In the ensuing argument, Clayton de-
ciared he had come 10 the hearings US
one " the representatives Of the fed
Grafton. sent here without lnStruc-
tons" and reviewing the previous posi-
tions taken by the federation, declared
that It's last action Was In favor NJ q
merger ot the Two car lines IL the rN-
cluSicn ot the WaShtngton Rapid
Transit Co Wilson had challenged
Ciayton'S OWN position with regard ~
the iederation'S action III an endravor
to show that he had opposed IL.
when Clayton Inck hts seat Mr., Rob
ertS launched vigorous attark ru VIII
son. lie charged that Wilson'S speech
WAS u combination ot continued ctsort
on his part for several weeks ~ cause
discussion In the federation lie dc
clared that the federation had adopted
the f,rSt clause In its II points against
the merger agreement, holding that the
valuation was tno high
As representatives "! the public ut0-
itles committee ot the federation he lie
ciarrd he and Clavt,n were authorized
to appear at the hearings uninsttuItrd.
At this point Roberts declared that
Wilson. IN seeking to cause dt$Srn>sen
llsAniinunA uN NaNa. 4 iNAlliNN 81