Evening star., 1937-06-29
RECORDS CLOSED
IN RETALIATION
Of TRANSIT FIRM
Commission Won't Announce
Figure Before Passing
on Rate Hike.
LAST-MINUTE APPEAL
BY CLAYTON is DENIED
Briefs Containing Final Argu.
ments Must Be In by August I,
Elgen Declares.

Records on which the Public Utni-
ties Commission will establish new
valuation of the Capital Transit Co.
and determine whether the immediate
increase in token fare rates sought
by the company is justified we're closed
yesterday
William NICK Clayton, veteran
leader of utility battles for the Fedora.
ton of Citizens Associations, made a
futile last-minute effort TO persuade
the commission to announce its new
valuation of the company before pass
ing on the merits of the increased
token fare application.
Chairman Riley Elgen told attor-
neys for the transit company and
civic representatives that briefs con.
tanning their final arguments must
be submitted before August l.
Il intend to file brief in the rate
case" Clayton said, but I can't do
justice to my argument until I know
the new valuation of the company"
"Inadequate Service" Hit.
In refusing Claytons request Elgin
did not give any indication when the
new valuation would be established.
The valuation will be as of December,
1895.
The hearings ended with a barrage
Of criticism from organized citizenry
against what was described as "inade-
quate service rendered by the transit
company
Clayton, who directed the presenta-
ton of the public's case, fought to
the end for the proposal of the fed
Grafton for a six months trial of q
scent fare.
Harry S. Wender. secretary of the
Southwest Citizens Association and
a delegate to the federation, refused
to support Clayton, however. He con-
tended that an increase in fares would
be a tactical error. but added that
amy movement in the other direction
would be mistake until the transit
company can offer satisfactory serv-
ice"
The transit company, Wender con-
tended, is not equipped now to meet
the increase in its passenger load
which it can expect if the Public
Utilities Commission is given authority
to limit the number of taxicabs and
compel taxicab opera tors to take out
insurance.
Opposes Public Ownership.
Wender said he was opposed to pub
lie ownership because the idea of
beautiful gold passes in the pockets
of Congressman and their friends and
their constituents does not appeal to
me, and l would hate to battle Con-
gress for new street cars like We have
to fight for new Fairgrounds now"
Wender agreed with an earlier wit
ness, j. R. Manning of the Chevy
Chase Citizens Association, that the
Public Utilities Commission and the
District Commissioners should exert
every effort to prevent double park
ing and keep street car tracks clear
during the rush hours
William w. Keeler, chairman of the
Public Utilities Committee of Colum-
bia Lodge, No. l74, International AS
sociation of Machinists, urged the
commission to take paternal in
terest in Government employees" and
refuse the company's application for
a higher fare.
keeler contended that Government
employees have not had a salary in
crease since 1929 and cannot afford
to pay higher car fares. He said
the average wage of a Government
employe is sl,440
Scent Fare Favored.
If the transit company has to ap-
peal to the public to get it out Of
financial distress the public should
take over the company and operate
it," Keeler said.
Charles M. Maize, representing the
machinists' lodge and the Kenilyorth
Citizens Association, urged the COM
mission to adopt the scent fare and
reduce the price of weekly passes,
which now cost SIPS. to ST. He ad-
vocated the skip-stop system as
means OF speeding service and pre-
venting overcrowding.
Mrs. Margaret Hopkins Worrell.
representing the Columbia Heights
Citizens Associat ton, urged the COM
mission to order the company to
bring its equipment up to the stand
ard required by law" before enter
tanning any proposal for a fare in
crease. She advocated trial of
scent fare and denounced one-man
street cars.
clayton challenged the company to
aoollsh one-man cars, predicting that
II this were done citizens might relax
their fight against increased fares.
His challenge went unanswered. but
after the hearing E. D. Merrill, COM
pany president, said the financial con-
dition of the company clearly proved
1t would be impossible to eliminate
one-man cars.