Evening star., 1947-06-28
Motion foboost
Arnold Fares in
'5Days Weighed
Bus Company Asks
lCC to Vucute
Suspension Order

A last-minute motion by Washing
ton. Virginia and Maryland Bus Co.
tArnold Lines to restore an order
for a scent fare increase within
five days was before the Interstate
Commerce Commission today as the
ICC began studying the completed
hearings en- the proposed fare boost.
The move to restore the increase
was filed by Attorney j. Ninian Beall
a few minutes before the hearings
ended late yesterday. The motion
requests the ICC to vacate its order
of May % which suspended the in
creased rate, ICC Examiner Tobias
Naftalin, who conducted the hear
ings, said any ICC action on the
motion would be superseded by the
final decision on the evidence pre-
sented in the hearings.
No Ruling Within 8 Weeks.
He said no ruling can be expected
for at least three weeks.
The move climaxed a week Of
testimony and arguments by counsel
for organizations opposing the fare
increase in the complicated financial
affairs of the bus company.
Lester Conley, representing the
Arlington County Public Utilities
Commission, protested the motion.
Mr., Conley played a leading part
in the fight against imposition of
the cents cash fare increase and the
az cent token increase asked by
the bus company.
Earlier, Manuel J. Davis, WASH
ington attorney and majority stock
holder in the company, admitted on
the witness stand that certain
practices have ceased" when op-
posing counsel questioned him on
the amount of leeway given Joseph
F. Arnold, company president in
expense accounts.
QuizZed on Expense Limit.
Mr.. Davis was brought to the
stand after testimony revealed Mr..
Arnold customarliy charged his civ
ing expenses, personal pleasures and
enjoyments" to the operating ex-
penses of the firm.
rs there any limit on Joseph
Arnold's expense account?" Mr..
Davis was asked by Attorney James
Earnest, representing Colonial VII
lage, Inc. Does he buy as he
pleases?"
Mr.. Davis replied that, when he
took the company over in June, 1946,
Mr.. Arnold was public relations OFF,
Ger of the firm.
What is the ceiling on his spend
ing?" Mr.. Earnest interjected.
TT is not fixed in dollars and
cents but in principle" Mr.. Davis
replied.
Can you, as the controlling stock
holder with $4,000 shares Of stock,
find no quarrel with the fact that
Mr.. Arnold, with only 5000 shares,
received in one year salary Of
$4,000, a bonus of $16,500 and had
an expense account of $8,400?" Mr..
Earnest demanded.
Mr.. Davis own salary is listed as
$4,000 a year.
Conferred With Arnold.
Mr.. Davis replied he had con-
ference with Mr.. Arnold after taking
over the bus company, but before he
had an opportunity to size up the
ability of Mr.. Arnold and the COM
pany general manager. Howard w.
England. "As time went on" Mr..
Davis added, certain practices have
ceased to exist"
Testimony earlier in the day indi-
Gated that Mr.. .Arnold-son of the
late Leon Arnold-spent $8,453 Of
company funds on variety of items
under his expense account in 1946.
These items included liquor, football
tickets, restaurant checks, parts for
his automobile and other personal
expenses. The ICC computation OF
the company's deficit covering the
same period was ST ,139.