Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-21

financial condition." demanded Mr..
Clayton.
4 would say that it u.s." replied Mr..
Ham.
Mr.. Ham said his company main.
tanned a reserve fund but did not have
depreciation fund like the Capital
Traction Co.
Which of the two methods Of ham
ding depreciation is fairer to the
Whatever is right is fair to all
parties" replied Mr.. Ham. Il think our
method Is good one. But commits
sions and courts must decide what Is
the fair method"
Mr.. Clayton asked whether the WASH
ington Railway & Electric Co. was
carrying passengers up to its capacity
Traffic Delays Enter.
For brief periods We are" replied
Mr.. Ham. But we have extreme diff.
Guilty in getting our cars through on
scheduled time. because Of the traffic
rules, which do not give preference to
mass transportation"
Mr.. Ham said his company has plenty
Of cars to handle the crowds in the rush
hours, provided 1t is permitted TO move
the cars fast enough.
Then the only difficulty Is with the
rules for handling mass trance" asked
Mr.. Clayton.
There are many things that could be
done to enable us to move our cars
faster" said Mr.. Ham.
Mr.. Clayton then asked whether the
company had contemplated any track
extensions. Mr.. Ham said recently 1t
had thought of extending the Lincoln
Park line to the Eastern High School,
and the Eleventh street line to connect
GA0f0iQ al EIoV III
avenue. He did not think these extern
sions were necessary Immediately, how
ever, because these localities were being
served now by bus lines.
Has there been general suspension
OF the extension of rail and bus lines
since a merger has been under consid-
eration?" asked Mr.. Clayton.
Not so far as we are concerned"
replied Mr.. Ham. The witness de-
clared that the Park road bus line op-
Grated by his company was in compe-
tit1on to some extent with the Wash
ington Rapid Transit Co. buses, but
that most persons were willing to pay
higher fare to ride on the w. r. T.
busses because they could 60 directly
downtown on them without transfer.
In view OF your statement that you
should have 100 per cent increase in
fare over 1914, I want to ask you
whether your service to the public has
gone up 100 per cent?" asked Mr.. Clay
ton.
If 1t had-if We had doubled our
number of cars and schedules-we
would have quadrupled instead of dou-
bled our expense. and We would be SUBJ
Ject to severe criticism by the commits
sion," replied Mr.. Ham.
Similar to Hannas Reply.
President Ham Of the Washington
Railway & Electric Co.. in response to
questions by Chairman Patrick, said
yesterday afternoon that IL the COM
mission ordered half fares for school
children his company would not oppose
them. He preferred to leave the mat
ter to the commission. he explained. so
that it might consider the question Of
reduced revenues that would result
from such action and provide for max
ing them up to the company In other
ways perhaps by increased car fares on
general passenger trafic.
This answer was similar to the one
made to the same question by John H.
Hanna. president of the Capital Trac-
ton Co. Both companies are, there
fore. on record as willing to accept half
fares for school children, but sounding
a warning that they would expect re-
lief from the commission for the loss
in revenue.
Mr.. Ham stated question as fol-
lows: The attitude of our company
has been that We don't object to half
fares for school children, provided 1t is
ordered by the Public Utilities Commits
sion. OF course, If it is ordered, the
company would have the right to de-
mand relief from the commission in
the form of higher general fares for
the consequent loss In revenue"
Referring to high school students,
Mr.. Ham said, They are older and,
in my opinion. they occupy different
status and should pay the full fare"