Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-29
Public Utilities Commission
Considers Plan to Estimate
Worth of Property.
QUICK METHODS URGED
IN FORMING ESTIMATES
Col. Brand Favors Percentage Plan.
Services of Noted Engineer
Are Sought.

The Public Utilities Commission is
seriously considering a revaluation of
the Capital Traction Co. before it turns
attention to the company's application
for raise in fares, it became known
yesterday.
A straight Scent cash fare or an
alternative of 10-cent cash fare with
four tokens for 80 cents Is SOUGHT by
the company. A public hearing on the
proposed fare increase has been sched-
uied tentatively for September 10, but
II the revaluation is ordered it will have
The effect Of delaying action on the
petition and assure Washington street
car riders of continuation of the
present fare until the valuation is COM
pleted.
A detailed inventory such as the
commission made of the Capital Trac-
ton Co.'s property in 1919, would take
year, according to Col. Harrison
Brand, jr., vice chairman of the COM
mission. But this is not in the commits
sions mind at this time. Either a per-
centage or so called unit method Of
valuation is in contemplation.
Percentage Method.
A valuation by either of these abbre-
Waited systems could be made m a few
months. and Col. Brand believes the
result would serve substantially the
same purpose as a comprehensive sur
vey OF everything the company owns
from rolling stock TO railroad ties.
Col. Brand seems inclined to favor
the percentage method, which he said
would provide the commission with a
tangible valuation figure In even less
time than the unit system. The latter
method or valuation is made by de-
termining the value of q small group
OF the conlpany's holdings and multi
plying the result by the total number
Of units into which they have been d.
vided.
II the commission decides to make a
new valuation, Col. Brand said he be-
lieves there Is good ground" Tor the
use OF either the unit or percentage
system, as the 1919 inventory could
serve as a basis for the investigation.
Neither Of these systems could be ap-
piled, however he pointed out, If the
commission had not made q prior
valuation.
The fact that the commission is Civ
ing serious thought to the question of
reyaluation became known last week,
when 1t wrote to c. L. Pillshury, noted
Minneapolis utilities engineer, and in
! qutred whether he could come to WASH
ington this Summer to undertake q
preliminary investigation of the prop-
erty OF the traction company.
Conducted Previous Inquiry.
Pillsbury Is recognized as an expert
on the underground conduit street rail-
way systems, and he had charge of the
commissions previous valuation In
vestigation of the company in 1919.
Because Of this the commission was
particularly anxious to obtain his
services again.
Pillsbury. however, telegraphed that
ne would be unable at this time TO be
OF service to the commission. The re-
ply disheartened the commission SoYre-
what, il was said but according TO Col.
Brand. 1t has not resulted IN abandon
ment Of the reyaluation idea. The COM
mission, he admitted, is now searching
for another valuation engineer who Is
familiar with the conduit railway sys-
tenn.
Col. Brand said the primary purpose
of seeking the service of Mr.. PillSbury
was to have him make q preliminary
study to determine whether a new val
uation should be made before the COM
mission proceeds with consideration Of
the higher fare application.
To Interview Maltbie.
DR. Milo n. Maltbie. the New York
valuation expert, engaged by the Sen
ate District committee to study the
proposed transit merger plan, Is expect
cd to be OF great assistance to the COM
mission In its study of the Capital
Traction Co. case. DR.. Malthie now Is
in New York. but he plans to return
here this week 10 resume his work,
and Col, Brand said he would arrange
q conference with him with a view to
obtaining his ideas on the valuation
question.