Evening star., 1929-01-04
CHANGE IN MERGER
PLANS SUGGESTED.
Subcommittee May Begin
Discussion of Traction
Proposal Next Week.

When the subcommittee handling
the street railway merger meets early
next week with reports before 1t from
all the interested parties it should be
ready to begin discussion OF what It's po-
sition is to be toward the unification
plan as presented by the companies, IN
the opinion of Chairman Capper.
Indications are that members OF the
subcommittee do not at the present
time see the need for further hearings
3 on the general proposition, put are
likely to proceed by weighing the VaIl-
ous detailed questions involved IN the
report of the Bureau of Efficiency ana
Of DR.. Milo r. Maltbie, together with
tl1a suggestions and arguments advanced
bv the companies in their response.
After they meet and go over III CONFER
cn,e the various questions presented III
the several written reports, the suo-
committee members may wish to ask 1oI
furtner data on particular phases OF
the problem.
CLAYTON Urges Changes.
While various members Of the sub
committee have expressed their views
individually regarding the plan as pre-
sented the subcommittee thus lar mas
taken no formal action. r
William NICK Clayton. chairman oI
the utilities committee of the teoera-
tior of Citizens Associations, VINO was
asked by Chairman Capper Tor ms
views on the merger proposition, SAID
todav that based in part on DIS own
nersonal views, but mainly In me VIII
the recommendations OF the IeoeIatlotl'
he would ask the Senate commitCee W
make the following changes III lne
merger agreement: oo ooo ,.o,,,o
ks,~,, IF
zion and all reference to valuation, pe-
cause as stated by DR.. Maltble, IL Is
Make specific provision in the agree
ment that there will be no increase III
fares until after revaluatlon Is CoIl-
Consolidate the companies, if they are
IN he allowed to merge, under con-
gressional charter, with provision IaaI
congress can amend, alter or repeal IT,
;rsfead of permitting them TO merge
,I,,Cjer the provisions of the Dlstrlct
That the duration of the merger
agreement be limited to five years OF
less.
Wants Universal Transfer.
Write in a suecific provision providing
for universal l1dAiS1SAS AAOAA q -,
To buses and vice versa ana anotHel
nrovision compelling the new company
10 grant reduced fares to school cnn-
dren. instead of leaving this matter 1or
the Public Utilities Commission TO de-
eide at some future time.
inclusion of clause in the agreement
compelling the Capital Traction ana
washington Railway & Electric Cos 10
tiIrn over to the new company tneu
combined depreciation funds, amounting
TO approximately $7,000,000.
Limit the price to be paid Tor the
Washington Rapid Transit Co. to S5Oo, =
600 or $500 900. which he claims Is
sonething like its actual value.
Modification of the power clause IN
the agreement so that the Potomac
Electric Power Co. will remain as a
part of the Washington Railway d.
Electric Co. instead Of being divorced
and operated separately.
Word the agreement so that improve
ment of service will be guaranteed as in
the present charters of the traction
CO lnies, and the plan for rerouting
of ,,..rs, as well as the type and number
of cars to be operated, viii be definitely
provided in the charter of the new COM
pany.
Mr.. Clayton said that unless these
changes are made in the agreement
from his viewpoint mad that of the fed
Grafton, there would be little or no ad-
vantage to the public in having the
local transportation facilities SO con-
solidated.