Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-15
R|EGEL WRANGLES
WITH HARTMAN IN
QU|zz|NG HANNA
Commission 0verrules Most
of Questions as Being
improper.
CR0SS.EXAMINATION
STARTED BY FLEHARTY
Traction Official Remains on Stand
at Hearing on Car Fare
Raise Plea.

Peoples Counsel Ralph 3. Fleharty
started his cross-eXamination Of Presi-
dent John H. Hanna of the Capital
Traction Co. shortly before the noon
recess today in the hearings before the
Public Utilities Commission on the COM
pany's request for an increase in car
fare. Most Of the morning was given
over to wrangling between E. c. Riegel
OF the Washington Consumers Guild
and Commissioner Harleigh H. Hart
man.
Mr.. Riegel was seeking to cross-ex-
anime Mr.. Hanna, but most Of his
questions were overruled by the COM
mission as being argumentative, repeti-
tious or otherwise improper. Several
sharp words passed between Mr.. Hart
man and Mr.. Riegel.
Company attorneys made no effort
to halt the line OF questions and Mr..
Hanna did his best to answer them.
But time and time again MP Hartman
stepped in and ruled the questions out
on the ground that they were lumber
ing up" the record. A great deal Of
the proceedings occurred of the record
as Hartman and Riegel argued as to
the proper way to ask questions.
John H. Hanna, president OF the
Capital Traction Co., explained in con-
siderable detail the methods used by
various street railway companies in
cities throughout the United States in
estimating depreciation. He said the
Capital Traction Co. computed its de-
probation on the basis of the estimated
life of various properties owned by the
company. and maintained a sinking
fund to provide for the replacement Of
worn-out cars and other property. This
explanation was made in response to
questions by e. C. Riegel. OF the Con-
sumer's Guild, who continued this
morning his cross-examination begun
yesterday
Mr.. Hanna, in answer to specific
questions by Mr.. Riegel. said the total
accruals for depreciation through op-
Grating expenses in 1928 amounted to
S378,3 1928, and the interest accruals for
that year amounted to $1l0.06S, or a
total accrual of S4a8, ,394.assE Erorn this
total, he said. $6l .030 was deducted for
property retired during that year.
THESE figures are already In the
record" declared Commissioner Hart
man..
rs it incumbent upon every one here
to search through the commissions rec
dnkCu MI. IOISkCI.
1T Is incumbent upon any one here
interested In this case to know what Is
in the record of this case, before asking
questions about it." declared Mr.. Hart
man.
Mr.. Hartman explained that It was
costing a great deal of money to have
the hearings reported and that persons
having questions should be careful not
to clutter up the records with duplica-
tions.
Mr.. Riegel pursued his questions
without interruption by counsel for the
traction company. but several times
Commissioner Hartman stepped in and
ruled the questions out. Mr.. Riegel
would ask question, Mr.. Hanna would
answer it and then Mr.. Riegel would
ask the same question in different
words Mr.. Hartman objected over and
over again that time and money was
being wasted. He also overruled other
questions because Mr.. Riegel sought to
put words into Mr.. Hanna's mouth
which the witness had no intention of
using.
Interest on Money Is Discussed.
The burden of Mr.. Riegels questions
was that II the company wiped out its
depreciation reserve car fares would be
lower. After several unsuccessful ques-
tions Mr.. Hanna offered to phrase the
question for Mr.. Riegel In such a way
that 1t could be answered and attempted
to do so. Mr.. Hartman, however, waved
the official reporter aside and explained
of the record that II the depreciation
fund were wiped out car fares would
60 higher.
One of Mr.. Riegel.s contentious was
that the car rider was being deprived
OF interest on his money. Mr.. Hartman
explained that the car rider had
already obtained ride for his money
and should not inquire what interest
was obtained on the money after 1t was
in the company's Golfers. He ex-
planned that the depreciation reserve
was made up Of appropriations from
surplus, interest on money already in
reserve and money charged to operating
expenses, and that the car-riding public
the money in the fund. He said that
Mr.. Riegel's questions had been prop
erly answered and that If Mr.. Riegel
did not understand the answers he
could not keep asking the same ques-
tions oyer and over again. He should
make such use Of the answers as he saw
fit when the time comes to argue the
case.
Charge Riegel with Delay.
As Mr.. Riegel continued to ask ques-
tions which the commission declared
to be improper, Commissioner Hart
man declared:
This hearing has already lasted
longer than anybody thought it would
Mr.. Riegel started to interrupt Mr.
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column A.