Evening star., 1935-05-05
Citizens Group Also Pro-
tests CroWding of Passen-
gers on Platforms.
WOULD LIMIT PROFIT
OF GAS LIGHT COMPANY
New Valuation Of Pepco Proper
ties to Cut Rate of Return
Is Urged.

Adoption Of uniform rate Of fare
for street car and bus service through
out the District was demanded last
night by the Federation of Citizens
Associations in a resolution presented
BY William NICK. Clayton, chairman
OF its Utilities Committee.
The federation proposed that bus
fares be made the same as existing
street car fares, four tokens for 80
cents, and that there be no charge
for transfers.
The federation also protested crowd
ing of passengers on the front plat
forms of street cars and buses and
congestion on the conductors plat
forms in street cars.
The Public Utilities Commission, in
another resolution adopted by the
federation, was urged to limit the
rate of returns for the gas light COM
pany to 6 per cent, to set up more
thorough and scientific method Of ac-
counting for depreciation costs, and
tIldG oil ulfCCL1Sdt1O11 NC hlOAC w AO-
termine the cost, at its source, OF the
natural gas used by the company in
its service.
Utilities Tax Plea.
The District Commissioners were
asked to give favorable consideration
to proposals for increased taxation on
public utilities of the city in a resolu-
ton brought In by L. A. Carruthers,
federation vice president. He said the
Committee on Fiscal Relations was
convinced the utilities now are bear
ing their fair share of taxation.
During the last week a committee Of
District officials proposed increased
taxes for utilities, including a fran
chise tax on dividends paid to large
stockholders, estimated to produce
some 81 500, 900 additional revenue.
Pepco Valuation Urged.
The federation also urged the
Utilities Commission to start at once
a new valuation of the Potomac
Electric Power Co.'S properties and
to make effort to cut the rate Of re-
turn now allowed the company from
= 10 per cent.
Since merger Of the old Capital
Traction Co. and the Washington Rail-
way & Electric Co. street car lines has
been effective, there is a uniform street
car fare, but there Is variety of rates
allowed on various bus services. The
Utilities Committee cited the fact
that the Capital Transit Co., the
merged company, has been granted ex-
elusive monopoly in transportation and
argues that street car fare of four
tokens for 80 cents should apply alike
to car and bus rider, without charge
for transfer to complete the journey.
The only exception made by the fed
Grafton was the Chevy Chase de luxe
coach line, on which a higher fare is
charged.
Token Action DELAYED.
Clayton reported his committee had
considered proposal that street car
tokens be sold at two for Is cents, but
1t was decided to delay action to await
expressions Of public sentiment.
Requesting new valuation Of the
power company, Clayton explained
there has been no such decision on
the rate base of that company for 20
years. although the valuation now is
said to be over $65 ,000, 900. He charged
there has been no deduction from the
valuation on account Of depreciation
OF property, although the company has
accrued over the period depreciation
reserve for replacement of outworn
property. He said the rate of return
OF the company over a long period of
years has ranged from something more
than 2 per cent to as high as 10 per
cent and proposed that the permitted
rate OF return be limited to per cent.
With but little opposition, this view
was adopted by the federation.
Auto Inspection Approved.
On motion by Fred s. Walker of the
Safety Committee the federation ap.
proved periodic compulsory mechani-
cal inspection of all automobiles,
plan now being developed by District
officials. President James G. Yaden
announced the plan would be to
charge all motorists a 81 fee for the
first year to cover costs Of operating
three District inspection places and
that after the first year the cost per
motorist would be so cents. Tests
would be made twice year.
Such plan has been tried at
Memphis, Tenn, with the result that
accidents have been reduced, he
added.
Traffic Director Van Duzer and DO
lice officials were called upon to pay
closer attention to careless, reckless
and drunken drivers and the fedora
ton Endorsed the safety education
campaign now about to be started.
After long debate q proposal that
special light for pedestrians be in
stalled in all traffic lights was re-
committed.
Periodic or surprise tests of the
automobile drivers further was recon-
mended by the federation.