Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-21
LEGISLATORS SEND
PROTESTS AGAINST
CAR FARE INCREASE
Ham Reiterates Plea That
Raise Should Also Apply
to His Company.
MESSAGE DISPATCHED
TO SENATORS REVEALED
Clayton 0verruled in Attempts to
Halt Eearing-Galloway Pre-
sents Objections.

senIS UOJectl0nS.
Reopening of the street car rate hear.
ing before the Public Utilities Comnis.
sion today was marked by the REGENT
| of protests against an increase in fare
| from eight more members of Congress.
and testimony of William F. Ham. pres
| ident of the Washington Railway 4
| Electric Co. in support of his conten-
ton that any increase granted the Cao-
ital Traction Co., should also apply to
his company.
Nearly all of the additional messages
from members of the Senate and House
were filed with the commission by Me-.
Ger G. Johnston. director of III.
Peoples Legislative Service. Mr.. john
ston handed the commission telegram,
from Senators Wheeler of Montana.
Cutting of New Mexico, Howell of Ne
braska, King of Utah. Dill of Washing
ton, Frazier of North Dakota. Nve
Of North Dakota and one from
Representative Huddleston of Ala
bama. The commission had alreadv
| received one from Senator Nc.
kellar of Tennessee. and the letter
| written yesterday by Senator Capper.
chairman of the Senate District COM
mlttee. Senator Cappers letter con.
tanned telegram voicing the protest
of Senator Vandenberg of Michiean.
who also sent a wire to the Peoples
Legislative Service
In Response to Query.
After Mr. Johnston of the People'5
Legislative Service had filed the me=-
sages. Attorney G. Thomas Dunlop of
the Capital Traction Co. pointed out
ti1at they appeared to be in response tn
query sent to them and he requested
that the record also show CODY of the
message sent to the members of Con-
gress.
In response. Mr. Johnston filed
copy of a telegram the legislative Ssrv-
Ice had sent members of the Senate and
House. which stated in substance that
a proposed increase of from 12 10 ~
per cent in the rate of fare was bsing
| considered In Washington. that the
necessity for such increase had mt bzcen
demonstrated and asking members TO
wire their views to the Peoples Leeis-
lative Service.
The commission previously had taken
the testimony as to the condition of the
Capital Traction Co., which was the
original applicant for the increase, and
the purpose of todays meeting was In
hear from the Washington Railway l.
Electric Co. its views as to whether anv
increase that may be granted should ap-
ply to both companies.
Clayton Objects.
Before President Ham began his
testimony. however William Mex.
Clayton OF the Federation of Citizens
Associations made several motions. in.
tended to halt consideration of the case.
all of which were overruled. Mr.. Clav.
ton noted exception to the overruline
OF these motions. and the hearing pro-
ceeded. Clayton'S first point was that
iuil Today notice of today's hearing
mad not been given. He then raised
the point that the commission should
make new valuation of the Washing
ton Railway & Electric property before
proceeding with the rate case. followed
by another motion calling on the COM
mission to settle the question of the
method of handling depreciation before
going on with the case
At the outset of the hearing. Charles
M. Galloway. representing the League
of the American Civil Service. composed
of Government employees filed a resolu-
ton opposing the increase in fare and
further declaring that should such
increase be granted, we urge all Gov
ernment employees to cease use of the
street railways, and that all employees
and other citizens pledge themselves to
pick up by auto persons going in their
direction" -he resolution of the or
sanization was signed by Mrs. Margaret
Hopkins Worrell. president
Mr.. Ham told the commission that
any increase found necessary for the
Capital Traction should be applied also
to the Washington Railway & Electric
for the following reasons: First. because
the present rate of fare is inadequate,
insufficient and confiScatOry to the
w. r. & E.; second, because either a
straight Scent cash fare or the l0-cent
fare, with four tokens for 80 cents,
would not be unreasonable. and, third,
because separate rates of fare for the
two companies would be discriminatory.
preiudcial to the W. r e. E. and con-
trary to public policy.
4O5 Per Cent Return.
According to President Ham the fare
value of the Washington Railway &
Electric system as of July 81, worked
out according to the commissions meth
cd, was $40. 003.234.56. On that valua-
ton. Mr.. Ham testified, the rate of re-
turn for the w. r. & E. was only 405
per cent.
I'VE submit that a fare producing a
rate of return as low as this on valu-
alton arrived at by the commissions
method is confscatory and inadequate"
Mr.. Ham said.
The witness stated that while he did
OOt intend N o0 q 1of1Cfh into the iSeiyo
,f what constitutes fair rate of return,
il was his Judgment that 7la per cent
would not be unreaSonably high
At this point Mr.. Clayton noted an
exception to Mr.. Hams valuation re-
port on the ground that 1t was not in
accord with the utilities act.
Mr.. Ham filed another exhibit show
ing that there has been a steady falling
IF in the number of pay passengers
patrons was carried. The statement
showed that for the IL months ending
July 81. 1928. the total number of pay
passengers carried by the w. r. g. E.
vas T0l05 000
List of Messages.
The additional messages received by
he Peoples Legislative Service from
members of Congress relating to the
treet car rate case were as follows
Senator Wheeler of Montana-"Due
o serious unemployment situation and
necessity for reduced fare for school
hildren. vigorously protest against
ny increase In Washington's street car
ares by the Public Utilities Commits
ion
Senetcr Cutting. New M9xicn--"yieor-
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