Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-05
MERGER IS CALLED
ONLY SOLUTION OF
TRACTION PROBLEM
Vandenberg Sees Unified
System as Sole Method of
Settling Troubles.
HEARINGS ARE RESUMED
ON FARE INCREASE PLEA
Right of w. r. T. to Pick Up
Local Passengers on Interstate
Buses Is Questioned.

After following developments in the
local street railway situation before the
Public Utilities Commission since Con-
gress recessed in June, Senator Vanden-
berg, Republican, of Michigan, member
of the District committee, is firmly Of
the opinion that merger offers the only
complete solution to Washington's
transportation problem Senator Vanden-
berg made this statement today as the
Public Utilities Commission resumed its
hearing into the application of the
street car companies for an increase in
fare.
Senator Vandenberg took leading
part during the last Congress in work
ing out the compromise plan of merger
which was favorably reported by the
Senate District committee, but which
died on the Senate calendar without
having been acted on when the Con-
gress adjourned on March 4.
Question Is Back to Merger.
Since that time the companies have
! renewed their request for an increase
| in fare, and during the hearings on
| that application the Utilities Commits
sion has submitted to the companies
for their consideration new outline Of
merger terms, based on the findings of
the Senate committee, with still further
modification.
II have noticed recent developments,
and it seems to me that the question
all comes back to merger as the only
permanent solution" said Senator VAN
denberg. The sooner We get back to
consideration of that basis of solution
the better
Chairman Capper of the Senate COM
mittee, upon his return several days
ago, also renewed his belief that the
transportation lines should be merged
but indicated 1t would be up to the
Utilities Commission to bring the mat
ter before the committee in the new
Congress. No merger legislation has
been introduced since the old Congress:
expired, so the question is not before
the committee now.
p. Committee Members Favorable.
Several of the returning members o.
the committee have indicated they
would give the question of merger care
full study again, If it is brought once
more before the committee by the Util-
tiles Commission.
Further evidence that members OF
Congress still are devoting attention to
the problem was given today when Sen
ator Blaine, Republican, of Wisconsin
said he had obtained copy of the Util-
| tiles Commissions revamped merger
plan and now is making comparison
between it and the plan which the Sen
ate committee approved last year.
Senator Blaine was the leading op-
ponent of the merger plan as worked
out by the Senate committee with the
aid of Dr. Milo r. Maltbie, because he
felt that it should have included q
more complete definition of the method
of valuing local utilities together with
several other amendments which he re.
garded as necessary in the public in
terest.
Senator Blaine said today that he hac
not progressed far enough with his
study of the commissions new plan tC
say what his attitude would be toward
it. He said he was inclined to believe
the commission had not given consider
alton to one of his objections, namely
that the proposed merger was to be
brought about by contract rather thar
by law. which, he felt, might weaken
the control of Congress over it In tho
future. He said he was calling this
! one question to the attention of the
AOA Ato SJu0y. 4AC SoAA AAS
| noted that some changes had been
made on the subject of valuation, but
he was not ready to pass an opinion
on this change.
Sackett Favors Action.
Senator Sackett, Republican of Ken
lucky, another member of the commit
tee, expressed the opinion today that
the question of merger should be given
further consideration during the regu-
lar session beginning in December.
Senator King of Utah. ranking Dem.
ocrat the District committee, said
that if the utilities board makes new
recommendations to Congress in Decem-
Der, he felt confident the Senate COM
mittee would take up the subject again.
The Senator said he was somewhat
disappointed that the people of the Dis
trict hau not been able to agree on the
question after a modified plan of merg-
er had been worked out in the last Con-
gress.
Interstate Bus Pick-ups Hit.
President z. D. Merrill of the Wash
ington Rapid Transit Co. took the wit
ness stand in the hearing before the
Public Utilities Commission today and
was put through a long examination
by Chairman Mason M. Patrick and
Vice Chairman Harleigh H. Hartman
of the commission.
The questions were directed princi-
pally at the company's right to pick
up intra-state passengers within the
District on their interstate busses going
to Maryland Mr.. Merrill contended
that since the company had right
to do both classes Of business, both
in its own name and. over part of the
route, as agent for the Capital Trac-
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