Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-26
SCHOOL FARES CUT
HEARING IS BEGUN;
LAWYERS OBJECT
Traction interests Speakers
Cite Conflicting Bills Pend
ing in Congress.
THREE COMPANIES JOIN
IN REDUCTION PROTESTS
Washington Rapid Transit Repre-
sentative Says Increased Equip
ment Would Be Made Necessary.

over the joint objections of lawyers
for the Capital Traction Co, the Wash
ington Railway g. Electric Co. and the
washington Rapid Transit Co., the
Public Utilities Commission hearing on
reduced fares for school children got
under way today at the District Build
ing. Only one witness had been hearo
at the luncheon recess.
Attorney Reads Protest.
At the start, G. Thomas Dunlop,
attorney for the Capital Traction Co.,
read a document in which his company
objected to the holding of the hearing
at all. since the commission mas no
power to order reduced fare tor scnool
children until Congress legislates 10
that effect. 80,
T'here are two conflicting bills now
pendine, and neither has been passed.
Consequently, Mr.. Dunlop argued, any
order issued as a result OF this nearing
would be null and void Furtner' ne
said. In ignorance as to which OF the
bills will be enacted, it is impossible 10
present proper evidence to enable the
commission TO consider and determine
the proper rate of fare for school chill
dren.
Each OF the three lawyers came
armed with an objection Identical IN all
respects, except that George p. Hoover,
representing the Washington RAPID
Transit Co., made no menuon OF m
creased fares, but said that 1t would De
necessary for his company to buy ao-
ditional equipment should the hall
fares be ordered and that this COM
pany is not now nor has 1t ever peen
able to make a reasonable return.
Counsel sought to postpone the case
until Congress passes some bill and then
proceed to a hearing under the present
notice. All objections were overruleo
by Chairman Mason M. Patrick.
Objections Overruled.
J. Edward Heberle, first witness for
the Capital Traction Co., produced
yoluminouS exhibits, comprising sta
tistics on the effects of reduced fares
upon passenger revenues. He said the
result of a QUESTIONABLE sent by the
company to 81 cities where reduced
fares for school children are in effect
showed that about SO per cent OF the
passengers IN those cities are school
children riding at the reduced fare. In
Washington Mr.. Heberle estimated the
per cent. but said that undoubtedly the
number would increase If reduced fares
were offered.
He set up several hypothetical analy-
ses and the average result was that
his company would lose about $4,000
a year gross, or $4,000 after deduction
for income and corporation taxes, should
q half fare for school children be in
troduced
Effect of the company's return earned
on fair value without taking into con-
sideration any purchases of new equip
ment would be to reduce the present
return of 1923 per cent on the valua-
ton of $26 100. 900 to about 3OS per
cent, he said.
Witness Cross Examined.
Mr.. Heberie was oss-examined by
Peoples Council Richmond B. Keech,
william NICK. Clayton of the Federation
of Citizens Associations, H. E. Young
of the Logan Circle Citizens Assocta-
ton, Charles F. Bowles, representing
Archbishop CUrley of Baltimore. in the
interests of parochial school children,
and Charles S. Raub.