Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-23

sale of this power. Mr.. Ham replied
that it was treated on the books as
revenue from the sale of power and
allocated to Maryland. He added that
it was so reported to the commission
both monthly and annually.
At this point the discussion turned
away from the sale of power to other
companies, and Mr.. Clayton began to
put to Mr.. Ham series of questions
regarding the relationship between the
Washington Railway & Electric Co and
the Potomac Power Co. After Chair
man Patrick had sustained objections
by the company to two such questions,
Mr.. Clayton said he would discontinue
that line of examination, adding that
he had hoped it to show by his ques-
tions regarding the Potomac Electric
Power Co. that there is one company
in the District the property of which
is not being confiscated by the people.
Take Up Bus Case.
Just before the hearing adjourne&
for the day. Mr.. Ham began presenting
the financial condition of the Wash
ington Interurban Railroad Co.. which
operates a bus line on Bladensburg
road into Maryland This is a sub
sidiary of the Washington Railway &
Electric Co., but has a separate cor
porate identity.
Mr. Ham explained that when the
Maryland and District commissions au-
thorized the abandonment of street
cars and substitution of BUSES the
company requested that its financial
condition be given study after 80 days
If it showed a loss during that time.
The local commission at that time be-
lieved however. that the ARRANGEMENT
of free transfers from the street cars
to the buses at Fifteenth and II
streets northeast should be tried out
for five years. Mr.. Ham told the new
commission that the commission then
in power stated that when the FIVE
year period was up it would under
company plan that would best serve
the interest of all concerned.
According to Mr.. Ham, the five
years expired April, 1928, and. al
though hearings have been held since
that time no change has yet been
made in the transfer arrangement of
the Bladensburg road bus line. In
July; 1928. Mrs. Ham said, the former
commission ruled that the existing ar
rangement for transfers should con-
tinue until otherwise ordered. I'm
mediately thereafter, he said, the COM
pany filed another APPLICATION on which
a hearing was held, but no decision
rendered.
Leaves i'm Huff.
E. c. Riegel director of the Wash
ington Consumers Guild, organized by
himself left the hearing in huff yes
terday afternoon after the commission
had ruled that his questions were am
by an intelligent person"
After having h0pn QhSent 1ar0o mort
Of the time and being unfamiliar with
testimony already taken. Mr.. Riegel at
tempted to cross-examine William F..
Ham, president of the Washington
Railway e. Electric Co. Many of his
questions were repetitions of questions
already asked by other attorneys and
Of the commission and an
swered by Mr.. Ham. The commission
ruled such repetitions out of order.
When Mr.: Riegel undertook to ask
Mr.. Ham about the depreciation ac-
counts and outside investments of the
company, Commissioner Hart
man several times tried to help him
frame his questions, but Mr.. Riegel
continued to ask questions which the
witness said he could mott understand.
Members Of the commission said they
could not understand what Mr.. Riegei
either.
~ WI NiSSci tIiiikS ne cannot frame
his questions so that they can be in
telligently answered he should get some
one to assist him in representing his
people" remarked Commissioner Hart
man.
Mr.. Riegel jumped to his feet and re-
pied. 1t might be good thing If we
got q new commission"
That will do" interposed Chairman
Patrick. Strike that from the record,
We will hear nothing more from you"
MFR. Riegei stalked out of the room
letting the door slam behind him.