Evening star., 1948-01-14
are Reduction
For Maryland
.Pupi|sSought
Johns Testifies Today
At PSC Hearing on
Transit Increase
By WiIIiom A. Millen
Stor Stoff Corrsspondent

BALTIMORE, Jan. 14.-In the
face of requests by the Capital
Transit Co. for fare increases,
Montgomery County spokesmen in
dicated they will seek instead a
lower fare for school children when
they appear before the State Public
Service Commission today.
Albert E. Conradis, public utilities
agent for Montgomery County, yes
terday told the PSC that he is in
terested in the lower rate for the
children and that this should be
S cents.
Mr.. Conradis said Brooke Johns,
president of the Board of County
Commissioners, will testify at to-
days hearing.
Meanwhile, in challenging the fig
ures the company has put into evi-
dence, Prince Georges County resi-
dents yesterday contended they
would pay 10 per cent average in
crease under the new rates the COM
pany is asking. compared with is
per cent increase for Montgomery
County.
See no Saving.
The Prince Georges representa-
tives said the new fare would mean
a higher percentage of increase In
their area, both for adults and
school children and buyers Of
passes. They contended there would
be no savings at all, although the
company plans scent zones. The
company's plan, they declared,
would do away entirely with passes
and tickets and school children's re-
duced fares.
Instead, they pointed out, there
would be fiat scent fare for each
zone, about a mile and half long.
In the District, they said, the fare
increase was only 20 per cent, with
no advance for school children.
Dean j. Locke, Capital Transit Co.,
staff engineer, conceded on cross
examination that the proposed new
fares would amount to a IS per cent
average increase for Prince Georges
County. The Silver Spring -Takama
group, the next largest unit of riders,
he said would be increased is per
cent. Some Prince Georges lines,
according to Mr.. Locke, would run
over 65 per cent, such as the Green.
belt line, which would jump 118
per cent, and the East Riverdale-
Cheverly Line, 1927 per cent.
Mr.. Locke explained, however,
the Silver Spring -Takoma lines in
Montgomery County already are on
a scent fare for a mile and half
zone, except the special rate of IL
tickets for 48 cents, and therefore,
are practically on the proposed rate
schedule.
The Wisconsin avenue groups al
ready are on scent cash fare
zone and will experience no increase
under the new plan, he said He
brought out that the Prince Georges
fares are low compared with Mont
gomery CounN fares
J. Edward Heberle, Capital Transit
Co. vice president and controller,
put in evidence figures purporting
to show his companys Maryland bus
lines lost 1884 ,0O9 and his rail lines
there lost $108,859 in the year ended
September 80, 1947.
Hankin Granted Inspection.
Gregory Hankin, former chairman
of the District Public Utilities Com
mission, who Is retained by several
Prince Georges groups, won his fight
to inspect company records and get
additional information not shown in
company exhibits. He contested ths
accuracy of company figures, and
told the PSC that Capital Transit
has failed to make out case justify
ing fare increase.
The commission announced that
today will be the last one devoted
to this case for some time. The
Baltimore Transit Co. fare increase
request will occupy the PSC next
week.
Capital Transit Co. lawyers will
appear tomorrow before the Inter-
state Commerce Commission In
Washington to urge establishment
of larger metropolitan zone for
rate purposes. Accordingly no hear
ing will be held here.