The Washington times., 1929-08-14
TACkI Is
BEGIJNBY
YOUNG

Treading carefully to avoid
further contact with the sur
prise merger agreement pre-
pared by the Public Utilities
Commission, the Capital Trac-
tion Company today completed
Its drive for a 10-cent car fare.
Immediately the people launched
their counter-attack: designed to
keep fares at their present level.
Peoples Counsel Ralph B. Fleharty
told the commission that his cross
examination Of officials OF the Capt.
tal Traction Company will be very,
very brief" and asked that he be
allowed to wait until the other
representatives Of the people had
had their say.
Young Opens Case
g. r. Young, representing the
Iowa Thomas Circle Citizens Asso.
citation. opened the peoples case.
He told the commission that he will
attempt to develop points on which
he can attack the company's valua-
ton figures. +
Before the hearing started this
morning John Fl. Hanna, president
OF the Capital Traction Company,
said he and other officers of the
company had attended an informal
conference with officials Of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company, following the close of
yesterdays hearing,
They discussed the commission
merger pact, but were unable to
decide what course they will pursue
in acting upon the agreement.
Hanna On Stand
All mention of merger or unifica-
ton wars carefully avoided by Hanna
on the witness. stand today. He
etold the commission of the troubles
his company encountered through
the use OF underground trolleys and
presented chart showing the reve.
nues of traction companies in 20
other cities.
The Capital Traction Company was
next to last on the list, The traction
company head was in the witness
chair less than an hour before he
announced the conclusion of his
cOmpanys case with the simple
statement. THAT is all we have to
offer"
Young launched his examination
with q number of questions directed
at the transfer privileges OF the
company. He asked Hanna il he
was contemplating any change in
the cost of transfers without wait.
sing for an. order from the com.
mission.
I'VE can make no change in the
rate of fare without being ordered
to do SO by the commission, Hanna
replied. If we could we would
not be here today" He laughed as
he said this, and so did members
of the commission.
Asks for Delay
William Nick. Clayton, chairman
Of the public utilities committee OF
the Federation of Citizens Associa.
tons and champion of the people
On scores of conflicts with the
Traction company, viii ask the
commission for permission to delay
his cross examination of officers OF
the Capital Traction Company until
after the Washington Railway and
Electric Company has presented its
case.
Clayton will ask the commission
TO revalue the lines of both com
panies. He said he would stress
the Importance of merging the two
traction lines or securing some
form of unified operation of the
two car companies.
A merger Is the only thing that
Iran save the Capital Traction Com.
pany from disaster, Clayton sail.
He pointed out that the company
has been losing money steadily ever
since the war, and indications are
that even If it were granted an in.
creased fare the losses would con
tinue.
Plan Is Generous
clayton said the merger plan
drawn by the commission is very
generous to the companies, but
nevertheless is faid to the public.
While the proposed new merger
Continued on Page 21)