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.

The proposition of revaluing the
Capital Traction Co. before making any
change in the rates of fare charged on
the companys line was for the first
time today brought into the hearings
before the Public Utilities Commission
on the company's application for an in
crease in car fare to 10 cents cash and
four tokens for 80 cents.
William NICK. Clayton, counsel for
the Federation OF Citizens Associations,
served notice on the commission that
this was the federation's attitude and
that revaluation before any change of
fares was absolutely necessary. He was
supported IN his stand by DIP George C.
Havenner, the federation's president.
Bus Counsel Opposes Move.
The debate arose on the motion by
Mr.. Clayton. made last week that the
Washington Rapid Transit Co. be made
a party to this hearing. The motion
was under discussion today. but the de-
cision on 1t was indefinitely postponed.
Counsel for the bus company opposed
the motion, but made no objection to
any valuation of the bus company.
Mr.. Clayton, during the course of his
argument, on the intrusion of the bus
company, served notice that the fedora
ton would demand revaluation before
any change of fare. The immediate
practical effect, If Mr.. Clayton succeeds
in maintaining his point. would be a
postponement of any change of fare for
several months, probably year or more,
while the intricate and detailed work or
valuing the company's property was un-
derway. Should the decision be to make
the bus company party and then value
all the properties represented in the
case any change in fares would be post
poned longer.
DR.. Havenner. in supporting Mr..
Clayton, said that he did not see how
the commission could well leave the bus
company out of the case. He said that
IL the commission desired free competi-
ton among the transportation systems
here that it should not have let the
Washington Railway g. Electric Co.
into the case from the start.
Business Trend Is Studied.
Now that that company is in. there is
no reason for keeping the bus company
out. DR.. Havenner said.
The rest of the morning was given to
detailed consideration Of the trend OF
the Capital Traction Co.'S passenger
clining since January, 1920.
w. r.. T. Motion Is Argued.
The hearing opened this morning
with arguments by counsel on the
motion submitted early last week by
Mr., Clayton that the Washington RAPID
Transit Co. be made party to the
present street car rate case.
Strenuously opposing the Clayton
motion, George p. Hoover. attorney Tor
the Washington Rapid Transit Co. de-
clared that Mr.. Clayton had advanced
no adequate reasons why the Washing
ton Rapid Transit Co. should be mace
a party to this case.
I'VE take the position" declared Mr.
Hoover, that there Is no complaint
against this company before the COM
mission-no complaint that the bus
rates are unfair or unjust. There Is
nothing before this commission to au-
thorize a valuation of this company
under the law"
Mr.. Hoover insisted that the Wash
in0ton Rapid Transit Co. Is not con-
nected with the street railways, but Is
an independent concern.
This company is not asking any re-
lief at this time" continued Mr.. Hoover.
"Manifestly there Is no relation between
the present case and this company"
Return Is Increasing.
The Washington Rapid Transit Co.,
Mr. Hoover said, lost in 1926 about
$4,000, and in 1927 about $4,000:
After the straight 1o-cent fare was put
into effect. the income of the company
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column Sd