Evening star., 1937-11-05
D|RKSEN To PUSH
HOUSE PROBE OF
CAR TOKEN RAISE
People Entitled to Know Why
Fares Were Increased,
laWmaker Says.
RANDOLPH TO RESUME
HIS TRANSIT INQUIRY
Examination of Financial Struc-
ture of Company Is Planned
by Subcommittee.

Aroused over the latest increase ir
street car token fares, Representative
Dirksen, Republican, of Illinois, an
nounced today he proposed to fino
out the justification for the action
Of the Public Utilities Commission as
soon as Congress convenes in special
session, November Is.
Mr.. Dirksen is author of two bills
pending before a special transit in
vestigating subcommittee of the House
District Committee. One would fix
the maximum fare on buses and street
cars at cents and the other would
abolish one-man car operation. As
q member of this subcommittee, Mr.
Dirksen said, the transit investigation
would be pushed to the limit"
From his home in Pekin, Ill, Mr.
Dirksen wired The Star:
II fully intend to pursue the transit
investigation to the limit because ]
believe that the people of Washing
ton are fully entitled to know what
the ramifications are and why the
commission approved fare increase
Il have no other purpose than te
explore the justification Or lack c1
Justification for such action, and if il
develops that the action is unjustifieC
1t will be necessary to address our
selves to the public body that is ex-
pected and is duty-bound to protect
the interests of the public"
Randolph Investigation.
At the same time, Representative
Randolph, Democrat, of West Vir-
ginia, chairman of the investigating
subcommittee, said he would resume
the investigation of the Capital
Transit Co. as soon as the group de-
sired to tackle the job. Representa-
tive Arnold, Democrat, of Illinois is
the third member of the subcommit-
tee. Mr.. Randolph returned to Wash
fngton this morning from his home in
Elkins, w. Va, but declined to COM
ment on the action of the commits
sion in boosting transit fares. He said
he desired to make thorough study
OF the fare case before expressing his
views. However, he said:
II will be pleased to call the sub
committee in session whenever the
members desire to resume the in
quiry."
The transit investigation was based
on MIR. Dirksen's two bills. The sub
committee, however. planned to go
beyond the scope of those two meas
ures and examine the financial struc-
ture of the transit company as we'll as
its relationship to the North American
Co. A start was made on the inquiry
at the last session of Congress. but it
was abruptly halted shortly before
adjournment.
AS the machinery was put in motion
for resumption of the investigation.
protests against the 6-for-50 cents
token rate continued to pour into the
ofnces Of the utilities commission and
organized citizens made preparations
to voice their resentment.
Citizens to Discuss Move.
The Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions, according to its president,
Thomas e. Lodge, probably will scruti-
nize the commissions fare increase
order at its meeting tomorrow night
in the District Building. The Civic
Affairs Committee of the United Fed
eral Workers of America has sched-
uled special meeting tonight to dis
cuSs the fare increase. The commit
tees chairman. Sidney Katz, branded
the commissions action as an
Outrage"
Complaints to the commission are
based chiefly on the ground that
merger of the transportation facilities
promised lower fares, improved serv-
ice and universal transfers.
While there has been an improve
ment in service, as a result of the
recent rerouting of lines, the commits
sion was told fares have gone up in
stead of down since the merger, and
universal transfers did not become a
reality until this week, when this fea-
ture was coupled with the six-for- So
cent token rate
Aside from the higher fares, the
commission also was criticized for not
permitting the company to sell three
tokens for 25 cents. The six-for-50-
cent rate, it was contended, would
work a hardship on the poor.
The commission, however, points
out that majority of domestics use
the SIPS weekly pass and that the
sale Of three tokens for Is cents would
slow up service, especially on one-man
cars, where the motorman must sell
the tokens and collect new fares. It
also pointed out the six-for- -50-cent
token rate will enable the company to
collect about $30, 900 more year than
1t would under a three-for-25-cent