Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-22
} Wilson Willing to Try Again
+ If Assured Strong LikeIi-
F heod of Ratification.
NEW AGREEMENT WOULD
HAVE TO BE DRAWN UP
Necessity to Alter Old Plan Seen
Due to Change in Economic
Conditions Since 1928.

Harley P. Wilson, leading hgure IN
the negotiations several years ago 1or
a merger of WaShingtcn's transportation
facilities. said today he would be willing
to make another effort to bring about
a consolidation if given some assurance
that the new plan of unification VIII be
handled eXpeditiously.
Mr.. Wilson referred to his previous
attempt to bring about merger as a
'three-year joyride." and declared he
did not want to go through another eX-
perience of that kind in an attempt 10
get a unified operation of the street car
and motor bus lines.
Original Contract Has Expired.
A resumption of the merger negotia-
tions. Mr.. Wilson pointed out, would
necessarily mean the framing Of new
merger agreement, as the original con-
tract approved by the Washington Ran
way & Electric, Capital Traction ana
Washington Rapid Transit Cos expired
June l. 1929. A provision in this agree
ment stipulated that unless the plan OF
merger contemplated in the contract be
carried out by that date each party is
restored to complete liberty OF action.
The old agreement, however, probably
would be used in the event merger nego-
tiations are resumed, but Mr.. wilson
said it would have to be altered in GER
tain respects due to the change in eco
nomic conditions since February, 1913,
when 1t was drawn up.
Mr. Wilson'S announced willingness
to undertake to renew the merger ne
gotiations was accepted in utility quar-
tiers as particularly significant. An un-
disputed power in washington utilities,
he has enough influence, it was said,
to bring the companies into line again,
although he does not propose TO 90
so unless there Is a strong Likelihood
of ratification by Congress OF the mer-
ger agreement which is necessary TO
consummate the unificat1on.
Convinced Of Merger Need.
Mr.. Wilson, the principal owner Of the
Washington Rapid Transit Co, is di-
rector of the North American Co., which
has a controlling interest in the Wash
ington Railway g. Electric Co. and owns
215 per cent of the stock Of the Capital
Traction Co. He also is a member OF
the Board Of Directors OF the Washing
ton Railway g. Electric Co. as well as
the Potomac Electric Power Co, which
the car company owns.
Mr.. Wilson said he is more firmly
convinced than ever of the need Of
merger to solve WaShington's transport
tation problems and would like to see
it brought to a realization. He thinks
Congress should create special agency
or delegate to some agency already in
existence the authority to pass finally
on plan Of merger
Congress Action Required.
The joint congressional resolution
authorizing a unification. Mr.. Wilson
explained, provides that the agreement
reached by the transportation COM
panies shall be ratified by Congress.
His experience with the original merger
plan, he said, convinced him this au-
thority should be imposed in an agency
that would give the plan thorough con-
sideration and pass upon 1t without
delay.
The original merger agreement was
approved by the Public Utilities Com
mission after modification. but was tied
up in Congress Mr.. wilson fears the
same thing would happen If Congress is
called up on to pass on another merger
agreement. Moreover. he said he found
during consideration of the former mer-
ger plan, only a few members Of Con-
gress who showed any interest in Wash
ington's transportation problems and
the proposed transit consolidation.