Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29
Member Of the Associated Press.
The Fare Case Resumption.

After an Interlude marked by the
Public Utilities Commissions censid-
Grafton of other subjects, the street car
fare hearings will be resumed week
from tomorrow. With testimony COM
pleted on the car companies applica-
lions for higher fares, the subject
awaiting discussion is the commissions
proposal Tor corporate merger Of the
lines. The Capita. Traction Company,
holding to its previously outlined stand.
will not consent to consideration o.
merger as a part of the fare question.
But it has expressed willingness to state
its objections or consent to specific
parts of the merger plan drawn up by
the Public Utilities Commission.
The Washington Railway and Electric
Company, on the other hand. has so
far declined to make any reply to the
Public Utilities Commissions invitation
to discuss the new merger agreement.
The last that the company's repre-
sentatives said ON that subject was
when President Ham admitted that he
had not had time, so far, even to read
the merger proposal. It has become
evident that his lack of interest Is
indicative of the company's attitude on
the subject.
If the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company chooses to adopt that
attitude, 1t Is the company's business.
But in the light Of the company's
former activities in connection with
seeking Congressional authority to
merge, its refusal now to take the
necessary and reasonable steps toward
merger is inconsistent and illogical. II
places the company in the light of stub
bornly opposing, for selfish reasons, the
means to reach an objective desirable
from the public as well as the corpora
ton viewpoint. The proposed merger
at existing rates of fare would grant
for the corporations. it is generally con-
coded, substantially the same results
that would obtain through an increase
in fare without merger-that is, higher
revenue by reason of decreased opera
ton costs. In the case Of the merger,
the public would share In what BENEFITS
may lie in better and more convenient
the public would merely contribute addi-
tional revenue without receiving any
thing. not even a promise or hope Of
better service in return.
The Washington Railway and Electric
Company has the opportunity to take
steps in the week remaining before
hearings are resumed that will demon
strate the sincerity of its formerly
expressed desires to improve the service
1t renders to the public.
The Public Utilities Commission, on
the other hand, will not be seriously
handicapped by negative action on the
part Of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company. Since the hearings
were temporarily halted 1t has received
from Corporation Counsel Bride an
opinion which strengthens its authority
to order joint use Of tracks by the
competing lines, and 1t has outlined a
plan of rerouting which could con-
ceivably be put. into operation in the
interests Of the public and with savings
to the corporations.
At the same time it is in position
to decide the car fare case by ordering
a revaluation Of the two companies, a
process that is certainly needed and
which would relegate the question of
rates for the time being.
The Public Utilities Commission can
decide the fare question in more ways
than one. The companies should do all
in their power to bring about decision
that will carry with it those few benefits
that the public has right to demand
and expect.