Evening star., 1947-05-14
Redemption Of Tokens
Pushed Despite Effort
To Upset Fare Boost

The Capital Transit GO. toQay
intensified its efforts to buy up
outstanding bus or street car tokens
despite q statement from the WASH
ington Industrial Union Council
tCIC) Of the unions intent to con-
tinue legal efforts to block continu-
alton OF the company's four-day-
old schedule OF increased fares.
Meanwhile, any hopes token hold
ers may have held of being able
to use them for fares was dashed
by the Public Utilities Commission
yesterday. The PUG denied . mo-
tion by Peoples Counsel John
ODea to permit use of the tokens
for 80 days from Sunday, when the
increased rates took effect.
Herman Tocker, Washington In
dustrial Union Council attorney,
said the group was undeterred BY
legal setbacks to date and would
continue It's war on the increased
fares. He refused to outline council
strategy, however, with the explana-
tion that to do so might 'tip his
hand"
Let's Refuses to Act.
District Court Justice r. Dicki1-
son Let's yesterday refused to act on
an amended CIo complaint. seeking
to have the court declare the transit
company is collecting increased fares
Illegally. Justice Let's said he was
to act, since neither the
transit company nor the utilities
commission had been served for
mally with the complaint, filed
earlier in the day.
The complaint charged the coun-
Gil had filed a request with the PUG
for reconsideration Of the fare in
crease order two hours before 1t
took effect. PUG Chairman James
II. Flanagan was accused of prepar-
ing a denial before reading the
councils application,
Such action was illegal and thus
invalid, the council held. Therefore,
the council argued, District law is
being violated. The law referred to
requires the PUG to delay enforce
ment of an order such as that in
volving a fare increase until after
it has acted on request for con-
sideration, it was contended.
Justice Let's on Saturday night de-
MED the councils motion for an in
junction to block carrying out o1
the new fare schedule, which calls
for 10-cent cash fares, elimination
OF tokens and a $1.50 weekly pass
charge.
In turning down Mn. ODea's mo-
tion, the PUG held that, as of moor
yesterday, Capital Transit already
had redeemed 95 900 out of an esti-
mated 10000 outstanding tokens
"It obviously would be unfair te
the thousands of patrons who have
surrendered these tokens to nov
validate for transportation the to-
kens still outstanding" the order
said.
Redemption Facilities Increased.
The PUG order invited attention
to the fact that Capital Transit has
provided additional means of re-
deeming tokens. This means that
to cash in tokens at the rate OF
8 cents for one or II cents for two,
the public may now:
/. Visit Capital Transit main Of
fees or any one Of l3 branch offices.
Q. Mail tokens in to the offices and
receive repayment, plus the cost OF
postage by mail.
~ 3. Send tokens to the Offices In
addressed, postage prepaid envelopes
obtainable, as OF this morning, from
any street car OF bus operator.
4. Exchange the tokens for cash
with any one of. about so super
yisory employees stationed at key
transfer points throughout the city
The amount redeemable by this
means was, limited to about 50.