Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-10
ADULT FARE RAISE
DENIED COMP AN|ES
Commission Preparing Let
tiers Today Giving Reasons
for Refusal to Act.

The Public Utilities Commission to-
day was preparing letters to the trans
portation companies setting forth rea-
sons for its refusal to take the initiative
in adjusting adult fares so as to COM
pensate them for anticipated losses
under the newly inaugurated three
cent school fares.
In denying this request of the street
car companies, the commission further
more served notice upon them that
none of their demands would be con-
Sidered until the school fare has been
given a fair trial and the companies
are able to furnish concrete informa-
ton as to the actual amount Of revenue
derived from the three-cent fare.
Whether the new rate for school
children would result in the loss antic-
ipateds by the companies seemed prob
lematical today in the face of sales Of
tickets reported by the two street car
companies and the Washington Rapid
Transit Co. Sales of both classes of
books yesterday reached grand total
Of s17O24.40.
100000 Losses Claimed.
A rough estimate of the losses which
would result from the school fare for
dicted TO approximate 100000: In the
absence of any figures contained in a
communication from the street car
companies. the commission declared to-
day it would not be satisfied with any
thing except actual statistics of rev.
enue on which to base future action.
When, ard if, appreciate losses are
found to result from the Scent fare
the transportation companies will be
obliged to present formal demands or
whatever adjustments they desire.
The commission reached its decision
late yesterday after having received
communications from the traction COM
panies calling its attention to the hear
ing on January 81 and urging action
by the commission on its own accord to
provide additional revenue for the COM
panies.
Just prior to the issuance Of the order
of the Scent fare the two companies
and the transit company wrote to the
commission asking that adjustments be
made in order to Offset expected losses
These letters were ignored. Later John
H. Hanna, president of the Capital
Traction Co., and William F. Ham,
president of the Washington Railway g.
Electric Co., again wrote the commits
sion, insisting that it adjust adult fares
on its own accord.
The transportation companies in all
their letters refrained from making any
definite recommendation as to how
and likewise contained no figures on
which the commission could, base rea-
sonable computation.
Awaits Definite Facts.
SO far as the 3-cent fare is con-
cerned, the commission has before 1t
only rough estimates as to the prob
able losses in revenues. The commits
sion made clear today that 1t certainly
would not act further in the matter
until it had concrete information to
work on. For this reason it was desired
that the new rate be given thorough
trial so the companies would know
exactly how they stood.
The commission has before 1t figures
made by an actual survey in the ele-
mentary and vocational schools In which
there are 52,577 pupils. OF this num-
Der 1t was said only 1852, or 2.57 per
cent, actually used transportation to
and from school. The number OF school
riders in the high schools was said
to be far greater, a rough estimate plac-
ing it about 10 per cent.
In other words, the commission seems
tickets By pupils, and it was believed
the loss in revenues to the street car
and bus companies resulting from the
3-cent fare would be less than originally
anticipated.
1924 Books Sold.
The sales of these tickets yesterday,
totaling $17,0244o, accounted for SOAP
of the 30-cent books containing 10 tick
cts and 1882 of the books containing
40 tickets sold at S120.
These tickets are on sale at SO agen-
cies throughout the city, and it was said
today that other stations would be added
as needs warrant.
The Washington Railway & Electric
Co. yesterday established two new ticket
agencies; one is at its shops at 24ll P
street, while the other is IN the Tenley-
town car barn. The Capital Traction
Co. changed one of its agencies from
the Seventh Street Savings Bank to the
Simpson Drug Store at Seventh street
and Rhode Island avenue.
With the 3-cent car fare effective to-
day the Public Utilities Commission, as
well as the transportation companies,
will keep close check on the number Of
tickets sold and enforce strictly the
rules governing their use.
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