Evening star., 1937-11-04
UNIVERSAL FARES
AT HIGHER TOKEN
RATE IN EFFECT
Third of Street-Car Riders
Affected by Utilities Com
mission Ruling.
CONGRESSIONAL PROBE
OF COMPANY FORECAST
Clayton, Advocate of Scent
Charge, Hits Decision-Pass
Users Unaffected.

Universal fares and free transfers on
Washington's mass transportation sys-
tenn went into effect early this morn
ing, along with an increase in the
street car token fare from four for 80
cents to six for so cents, as the result
of yesterdays decision by the Public
Utilities Commission on the long-em-
battled fare case.
There was an immediate reaction to
the fare boost. william NICK. Clayton.
veteran chairman of the Public Utili-
ties Committee of the Federation OF
Citizens Associations, declared he was
deeply disappointed, but Chairman
Palmisano of the House District Com
mittee indicated he was willing to ac-
cept the verdict reached by the COM
mission as the result of its months of
study of the case. There we're pre-
dictions, however, that the fare boost
would stimulate demands for a con-
gressional probe of the company.
Fight by Citizens Predicted.
Thomas E. Lodge, president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
predicted the group would start a
fight against the change in fares at
It's meeting Saturday night.
Street car fares should be reduced.
instead Of increased" he declared.
An analysis of commission records
showed that about one-third of the
street car riders would have to pay an
increased fare-those who have been
regular token users. Their rate was
increased from 7i2 cents per ride to
8l3 cents, or fiye-sixths of a cent per
ride
About one-half of the patrons Of the
Capital Transit Co.-those who reg
ularly buy the S1.25 weekly pass
would feel no effect at ali. officials ex-
planned there would be a reduction in
the price of transportation for those
who have paid 10-cent cash fare and
who now are permitted to buy the
tokens. This applies to those who have
been required to pay a 10-cent cash
fare for rides on the express bus lines
and on the Sixteenth street bus lines.
The transit company estimated the
increase in fares would bring In an
additional s254,000 in revenue an
nually.
Three Loops Unaffected.
The changes in the rate schedules
do not affect the Chevy Chase Loop. -
the Bureau of Engraving Loop or the
Bureau of Standard Loop lines, on
which there is charge of cents. ,
without transfers. Persons using these
lines and wishing to transfer to major
services Of the company may obtain
free tranfers on payment of the regu-
lar token fare. The change in rates.
of course, has no effect on the extra
fares charged by the transit company
in operations beyond the District line.
in Maryland.
The company issued a statement to-
day stating, in part:
I'VE regret the necessity for apply
ing for an increase in fare, but the
increased costs represented by higher
wages and costs Of materials made it
necessary if We were to preserve the
| companyis ability to render adequate
| service.
The increase granted by the COM
mission is less than we asked for in
the amended petition of the company.
but although We felt that the increase
requested would have provided larger
revenues for the company and given
| better opportunity for further improve
| ments, the order of the commission is
being put into effect and we bespeak
| the cooperation of the public in our
efforts to get best results out of it."
Clayton Sees Poorer People Hit.
Mr.. Clayton, who demanded adop-
ton of scent street car and bus
fare during his appearances at the
commissions hearings, said he felt the
public had been ''tricked" by the COM
missions decision. He declared the
public had been given the impression
that merger of the old Washington
Railway & Electric Co. and the Capt.
tai Traction Co. would bring about
savings which would mean lower fares.
Mr.. Clayton protested especially
against the commissions rule that
the tokens now be sold at six in lot,
a rule which he insisted would hurt
| the poorer people. He declared the
company would gain revenue not now
apparent, because some riders, not
| having as much as so cents at time,
would have to pay the straight 10
cents cash fare.
An investigation of the Capital
Transit Co. was proposed at the past
session Of Congress. Representative
Dirksen, Republican, of Illinois offered
two bills, one intended to prevent the
one-man car operation and the other
to reduce fares to 5 cents. The bills
| were referred to q subcommittee OF
the House District Committee, headed
by Representative Randolph, Demo-
crat, of West Virginia. Hearings were
begun but not completed at the close
Of the past session.
Court Backing Seen.
officials of the Public Utilities Com
mission said they were convinced the
decision was in the best interests Of
the public and the company and that
the order would stand up in courts
because the company is making, and
would make, q lower return than the
courts have held to be fair.
E. D. Merrill, president of the tram
sit company, said he was disappointed
that the commission had rejected the
company petition for an increase in
the token fare to four for IS cents. or
at the rate of 8% cents per ride, but
he added the company would make
trial of the new rates. The company
claim to increased fares, to prove in
creased revenues, was based in part
on the large sums it has had to spend
for track improvements. new buses
and street cars. and for wage increases
for its employees.