Evening star., 1928-04-20
Texan Quits Hearing, Assert
ing He Will Fight Plan
to Last.
TOLD SCHOOL CHILDREN
WOULD FAIL TO Benefit
Gibson Scores Basis Of Capitaliza-
tion-Hammer Joins in De-
nouncement.

Told that the $1,000 school children
Of Washington would receive no benefit
OF reduced fares under the proposed
traction merger agreement. Represen-
tative Blanton of Texas, abruptly left
the hearing before the House District
committee today on the joint resolution
authorizing local traction unification
after serving notice on his colleagues
that there will be no merger II can
help it,"
Aside from a further declaration
from Blanton that he would fight this
merger as long as there is any fight
left IN me" other difficulties presented
themselves when individual members of
the committee piled John W. ChildreSs,
chairman of the Public Utilities Com
mission, with leading questions regard
ing the $4,000. 900 valuation and bene-
fits to be derived by the merging COM
panies.
Representative Gibson OF Vermont
asserted that, In his opinion. the tax
payers of Washington for years tc
come would have TO pay return on
watered stock on the basis of capi-
talization In the merger agreement"
Join With Blanton.
Other members OF the committee
including Representative Hammer OF
North Carolina. joined with Blanton
in denouncing the notifications in the
merger agreement as shouldering an
additional burden on the taxpayers
without relief in reduced fares.
Mr.. Blanton's ire was aroused when
the committee was informed by MIR
ChildreSs that the relief afforded the
traction companies In the matter OF
crossing policemen and paving mainte-
nance would amount To about $3.50. 900
annually.
The Texan entered the committee
room after the proceedings were well
under way. and during the presentation
by Mr. ChildTeSs of the agreement
reached between the commission and
the officials of the merging companies,
As his first question. he asked Mr..
Childress what other cities comparable
10 Washington had done away with re-
curing traction companies 10 pay for
paving maintenance.
Mr.. ChiIdreSs said he understood
there was no other city, and Blant0n
replied that he was interested In know
ing what benefits the car-riding public
would receive.
Sees Tax Burden.
Directing attention 10 the fact that
the $i65, 900 released from paving main-
tenanoes would be shouldered onto the
taxpayers. Mr. Blanton declared the re-
suit would be- to increase the already
high value OF traction company stock
withnut reducing the tax burden.
The Public Utilities Commission Is
not interested In the value Of the stock. =
Mr. ChiidreSs replied. after trying to ex-
plain that release from paving mainte-
nance would be reflected In an indirect
public benefit by reduced operating ex-
penaes
We'll. I am" Blanton declared. I'D
fight this merger II 1t doesn't give the
public reduced fares or some benefits.
These items OF crossing police and paw
ing puts a burden Of about $3.50 900 on
the public. don't think you1l get any
merger through Congress II the people
don't benefit from IT,"
After further skirmishlng. Blanton
curtly asked the Public Utilities chair
man: What do you propose 10 do about
the $4,000 school children under this
agreement"
Nothing" replied Childress.
Then these 65. 900 or 10000 children
will have TO contine paying an Scent
fare" he stressed
Mr.. Childreaa replied there was MOTH
ing In the agreement favoring them
with a lower rate.
Ready for Fight.
Rising 10 his feet. Mr.. Blanton re.
piled. Il want TO go on record now thai
I'm one member of Congress who II
going TO fight this merger as long a:
there III any fight In me. There ISM
going 70 be any merger II l can helT
It,"
With this ultimatum. MIR. Blantor
stalked out Of the committee room leay-
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