Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-05
PUG Pushes
Quiz ON Transit
Boost Plea
3 Cents Extra Cost
On Virginia Transfers
To Begin Tomorrow

Further cross examination OF
Capital Transit Co. witnesses was
scheduled today at Public Utilities
Commission hearings on the COM
pany's request for higher streetcar
and bus fares.
Meanwhile. the transit company
will begin collecting Scent cash
extra charge at 1901 am. tomorrow
from passengers using joint-fare
tickets for rides to and from GER
tain Virginia points.
The action was authorized for
mally yesterday by three-judge
tribunal of District Court. The
judges signed an order embracing
their decision of Monday which
enjoined the Interstate Commerce
Commission from enforcing its
joint-fare edict against the COM
pany.
Heberle On Stand.
At today's PUG hearing. J. E.
Heberle, vice president and con-
troller of the company. was expected
to return to the stand for further
questioning from Special Assistant
Corporation Counsel Lloyd B. Har-
rison, the city law departments
public utilities expert. Mr.. Harrison,
who acts as counsel to the PUG.
kept Mr.. Heberle on the stand all
afternoon yesterday, as the hear
ings we're resumed after a three
week recess.
There appeared little hope that
the hearings could be wound up to-
day. inasmuch as a fourth inter-
venor was admitted to the proceed
ings at yesterdays session by PUG
Chairman James H. Flanagan.
The four intervenors oppose
Capital Transit's proposed schedule
of rate increases-a lucent straight
cash fare instead of 10 cents, two
tokens for quarter and an increase
in the $3.50 weekly pass to $l,S5.
Represents Consumers.
| Admitted as the fourth intervenor
yesterday-with the power to cross
examine witnesses, introduce testi-
mony and appeal to the courts
was the Washington Committee for
Consumer Protection. The other
three are the Federation of Citizens
Associations, the Americans for
Democratic Action and the Ameri-
can Veterans Committee.
AS Mr.. Heberle took the stand,
Capital Transit counsel, F. G. Await.
introduced seven new exhibits for
consideration of the PUG. One
exhibit, based on the proposition
that fares would be increased only
to II cents cash. five tokens for S.
cents and Sl,65 pass, purportedly
showed this would result in only
$168,946 in increased income to the
company. .s..
Earlier exhibits indicated Capital
Transit would produce additional
operating income of S1,800,000 by
next July with the full increase 1t
seeks. Without the increase, Capital
Transit contends, II will face Q
$500, 900 deficit by next summer.
Temporary Court Order.
The court order affecting Virginia
commuters is in the form of pre-
liminary injunction against this
United States and the ICC and win
remain effective until final deter
mination of the validity Of the IC0
edict by the court.
The cents cash, plus an appro-
pirate portion of a Decent joint
District Virginia fare ticket, will be
good for one ride on Capital Trans
it's lines within the District" .
company announcement explained.
"At the time the additional 3
cents is paid to the operator, a
refund receipt will be issued. In
the event the District Court finally
determines that the orders of the
ICC are lawful and valid, the COM
pany will redeem the receipts for 3
cents each when signed by the per-
son who paid the cents cash. The
receipt is not transferable.
Passengers were instructed to give
the 3 cents to the operator, rather
than placing the added charge in
the fare box.
Delivery Of 100000 strip ticket re-
fund receipts was expected today.
Notices calling attention to the fare
change were placed in all streetcars
and buses.
$4,000 Bond Posted.
The company posted q SIS 600
bond yesterday to insure redemption
OF the receipts in the event the
temporary injunction is not made
permanent.
The joint fare system, involving
transfers between Capital Transit
and two Virginia bus lines, affects
about $500 persons day who travel
between the District and the Penta-
gon, Navy Annex, Arlington Farms,
the Air Force Annex at National
Airport and intermediate points.
/ The. joint fare was advanced
Monday to is cents. Of which Cap
ital Transit receives cents and
the Virginia companies get 8 cents.
Previously, the joint fare was 1871
| cents of which Capital Transit