Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-06
CITIZENS LEADERS
SEEK RETALIATION
Clayton and Havenner De-
mand New Figures Before
Changing Car Fare.
Continued From First paseo

Continued From First Page)
available for return was $6,897. For thu
| IL months which ended June 80 of Thu
year. Mr.. Hoover said the income avail
able for return was approximate,
$4,000. He contended that this sun
was not excessive in view of the fac
that the Washington Rapid Transit Co
claimed property valuation of $500, 900
Denying that the Washington RapiC
Transit Co. is now owned by the NORTH
American Co. of New York. Mr.. Hoover
admitted that 1t was at one time sc
owned. He said that the local concern
was purchased by Harley p. Wilson, whc
now owns 1t as an individual.
If there Is to be an investigation o.
the Washington Rapid Transit Co. fol
the purpose Of fixing fares" declared
Mr. Hoover, II submit that it should bt
an independent one"
Clayton Is Sarcastic.
Taking the floor TO argue in favor Of
his motion. Mr.. Clayton referred to a
statement by Mr.. Hoover that he. Mr.
Clayton. had attempted to drag the
North American Co. into this case be-
cause of the fact that Mr.. Wilson is a
director in that company.
Il was not trying to drag the North
American Co. into this hearing" said
Mr.. Clayton, that was entirely Mr.
Hoover's inference. But, of course
maybe the burnt child fears the fire."
Mr. Clayton announced that the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associa tons will ask
At the present hearing for a revaluat alton
OF the two street car companies and a
valuation OF the Washington Rapid
Transit Co.
The Washington Rapid Transit Co
has operated in this city for quite a
number OF years." declared Mr.. Clay
ton, and 1t stands now before this COM
mission unvalued. That Is rather a sin
gular situation. This company should
be valued and there Is no better nor
more proper time to value II than right
now.
This company operates in a walled
city. We want an equitable transfer az
rangement in Washington. We rink
we can show that the present arrange
ment is not fair.
Says Company Must Spread.
This company must be broadened out
and made to play its part in the general
transportation situation in the District.
In justice to itself this company must
be developed and knit in with the whole
transportation system.
Il submit that Congress intended that
every street railway and bus line in
Washington should be used jointly with
every other In the interest of the pub
lie. This bus line is to all intents and
purposes a part Of the general trans
portation lines and 1t cannot be sepa-
rated from the street car lines?
we may ask that the Washington
Rapid Transit Co. be connected up with
all the street railway lines with trans
fers that would be equitable both to the
bus lines and the car company. This
company itself needs an enlargement OF
its facilities and transfer arrangements
to fulfill its duties not only to the public
but to its own stockholders.
This company has q cash fare with
no token rate. 1t may be in the minds
of the members Of this commission that
It. should yield to the extent of selling
tokens at little less than the cash fare
of 10 cents.
Fleharty Sides With Clayton.
"This company cannot live alone and
die alone. So long as we cannot get
a merger, we should get as close to a
merger under the law as We can"
After this argument by Mr.. Clayton.
Ralph B. Fleharty, peoples counsel. de-
clared that II the present hearing Is to
be restricted to rates Of fare he saw no
object in making the Washington Rapid
Transit Co. q party to the case.
But II we are going to broaden this
hearing, as Mr.. Clayton and think
should be done. to include transfer priv
ileges and similar matters, then think
this company should be made a party
to the case"
j. p. Young. representing the Iowa
Thomas Circle Citizens Association.
spoke briefly in favor Of including the
Washington Rapid Transit Co. in the
present case.
The attitude Of the Federation Of
Citizens Associa tons then was further
explained by its president, DR.. George
c. Havenner.
Now that the Washington Railway
d Electric Co. has been drawn into this
hearing upon the question of rates, uni
fication of operation, transfers. etc. :"
said DR.. Havenner, I'VE believe there
should be an immediate valuation of
the Washington Rapid Transit Co. and
that 1t should be made a party to this
case, in order that the commission may
determine whether there should be
uniform fare In the District and trans
fers on all bus and car lines.
Hoover Cites Expenditures.
'If we are to have a uniform fare let
US have 1t apply to all street car and
bus lines"
Mr.. Hoover at this point declared that
Mr.. Clayton had made IAN eloquent
argument for a merger" but that this
question was not before the commits
sion.
IF this commission wants to value
the Washington Rapid Transit Co"
declared Mr.. Hoover. I'VE are willing to
60 into that, with the usual advance
notice. but that is not properly a part
of this case. This company has OK
pended $350,0O0 for new equipment in
the interest Of the public based upon