Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-21
HAM URGES FARE
RAISE AS BENEFIT.
=. ~
Ten.Cent Rate Would Save
Being Annoyed by Pennies,
He Says.
Continued From First Page)

NCOnCHlueu from clFSC FaBeD
from cash an dtokcn passengers
and from passengers carried for
the W., B. g. A. Co., and from
the sale Of transfers amounts to
$4,730,7S4.95. The estimated additional
revenue from passengers under the pro-
posed rate of fare would thus be $488,-
33022, from which a deduction total
ing 5.788.85 is made for per cent
gross earnings tax and IL per cent
Federal income tax.
BY this computation. Mr.. Ham esti-
mated that the increased fare would
yield net increase in operating income
Of $4l2,54l.37, which would be return
Of 6.25 per cent on the company's
claimed minimum fair" value of $19,-
2l0,ss9, as Of December 81, 1928.
Sees Little Effect on Volume.
"In my judgment" said Mr.. Ham,
1.-The proposed increase OF fare will have
very little effect on the volume of our
passenger traffic. think most persons
will buy four tokens for 80 cents as will
ingiy as they do now buy six for 40
cents. II 1t does reduce our passenger
traf1ic think 1t will only be OF short
duration.
II am heartily In favor Of 10-cent
basic cash fare. 1t is more convenient
for the public. Passengers are not an
noyed by the necessity of making
change. Nearly everything today costs
100 per cent more than before the war.
We used to have a scent fare, and the
sooner the electric railways get on a
l0-cent basis the better 1t will be for
the companies and the public
Ralph B. Fleharty, peoples counsel,
began his cross-examination of Mr..
Ham by asking him why he thought 1t
would be more convenient for the pub
nc to buy four tokens for 80 cents than
six for 40 cents.
Because q passenger is more apt to
have 30 cents in change than 40 cents
in change in his pocket" replied Mr..
Ham.
FIeharty Differs on Fare Rate.
wouldn't it be just as convenient to
buy tokens either way with 50-cent
piece?" insisted Mr.. F1eharty.
1T might be just as easy" said Mr..
Ham, but most persons would rather
spend 80 cents than 40 cents"
Mr.. Fleharty took exception to the
statement of Mr.. Ham that many pas.
yengers would pay 10 cents for q car
ride as readily as 8 cents.
We'll, of course, many people would
much rather pay 8 cents. but think
. great many would just as soon pay
10 cents declared Mr.. Ham.
Mr.. Fleharty next asked the witness
received by his company from securi-
ties Of other companies which 1t owns.
This brought an immediate objection
from S. r. Bowen, general counsel Of
the company. who said that the value
of such securities is not included in the
claimed fair" value Of the company
upon which fair" return is asked and
therefore that Mr.. Flehartys question
was not pertinent to the present in
quiry.
William NICK. Clayton, representing
the Federation of Citizens Associations,
Joined with Mr.. Fleharty in insisting
that the return from these securities
would be important evidence.
1T may later be argued" declared
Mr.. Clayton, that the rate Of fare
granted this company should depend
on the company's financial condition.
That would make the answer to this
question of Importance here. think
We are entitled to know what the in
come OF this company Is"
After the three commissioners had
Chairman Patrick over
ruled the objection to Mr.. Fleharty's
question, but stated that 1t was I'M
necessary to answer 1t because the in
formation sought was already avail
able to the commission and counsel in
the reports OF the company on file
with the commission. This did not
satisfy Mr.. Fleharty, who insisted that
II he were in a court he would have
a right to introduce this evidence.
Harv nan Cites Rules.
mot under the rules adopted for
this hearing" explained Commissioner
Hartman. I'VE are trying to save the
record and this information Is already
available for use"
THAT is true Of about one-third Of
all the evidence already In the record"
retorted Mr.. Fleharty.
Mr.. Clayton then arose and began
his cross examination Of Mr.. Ham
with the statement: II have tried to
save the record heretofore, but think
I'll be q little careless now"
Mr.. Clayton wanted to know why
1t wouldn't be more convenient for
the public to buy seven tokens for
so cents.
1T would be If the passenger had the
so cents" replied Mr.. Ham.
Mr.. Ham. replying to other questions
not considered what rate it might have
asked for If 1t had applied for an In,
crease independently Of the Capital
Traction Co. He said he had no
except in a general way, OF
the application to be made by the Cap
ital Traction Co. in advance. After 1t
had been made he explained that the
executive committee of the Washington
Railway 81 Electric Co. had considered
it when it agreed to join the Capital
Traction Co. in making every effort to
secure the proposed increase.
There was no discussion on our part
of any other rate of fare than that
asked by the Capital Traction Co.." de-
clared Mr.. Ham.
When Mr.. Clayton asked if the main
idea in joining the Capital Traction Co.
was to get uniform fare, Mr.. Ham re:
piled: mot the main idea. We wanted
the increased revenue and we also be.
lieve in q uniform fare"
us your company today in sound