Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-13
Transit Fare
Hearings Due
To End Today
Lost Of Opposition
Witnesses Slated
To Give Testimony
o Give Testimony
By Jerry O'Leory, Jr.

by Jerry ~ Leory, ".
Hearings before the Public Util-
tiles Commission on the Capital
Transit Co.'S request for higher
streetcar and bus fares will end
today, when the last opposition wit
nesses are scheduled to testify.
PUG Chairman Flanagan set the
last session for 2 pm. He ruled
that attorneys opposing the fare
increase and Peoples Counsel John
ODea could have two weeks to
file briefs. The briefs must be in
the PUC's hands by August u.
The period allowed for prepara-
ton of briefs makes it certain thai
the PUG will not announce ruling
before September l.
Capital Transit wants an increase
IN the 1O-cent cash fare to Is cents.
two tokens for quarter and boost
in the price of the S1.50 weekly pass
to sl.85. v. A. McElfresh, PUG
executive accountant and auditor,
has offered counter proposal that
the fare be increased to - cents
cash, three tokens for IS cents and
SITS for the weekly pass.
Lawyers Again Clash.
For the fourth time since the
hearings began on July 10. attorneys
arguing the case clashed angrlly
Yesterday. Several other partici-
pants, who previously have re-
manned unrufned, also swung verbal
lawmakers, as attorneys for organ
izations opposing the increase ap-
preached completion of their case.
The first outbreak came as At
torney Harry R. Booth, representing
the Washington Committee for Con-
sumner Protection, was questioning
Mrs. Sylvia Wubnig, one OF his
witnesses.
MRS. Wubnig, who spoke for
the Washington League OF Women
Shoppers, was refused her elected
seat at the Federation of Citizens
Associations some months ago but
later was seated. She is house
wife and delegate to the Fedora
ton from the Kalorama Citizens
Association.l
While testifying that the people
Of Washington would not stand Tor
an increase in transit fares, she was
questioned closely by John H. Con-
naughton, president of the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations. Old
antagonists. Mr.. Connaughton and
Mrs. Wubnig engaged in a sharp
and wordy encounter.
Chairman Flanagan sustained an
objection to a question by Mr.. Con-
naughton, asking Mrs. Wubnig if
she knew that the Washington
League of Women Shoppers was
listed as subversive organization.
Real Fireworks Begin.
But the real fireworks began when
Mr.. Booth called another witness
to the stand, Carey Dewitt Eldridge,
professor of romance languages at
George Washington University and
a member of the Progressive Party.
Mr. Eldridge, who had been
described by Attorney Booth as a
witness with facts to offer the PUG,
started reading a lengthy statement
criticiZing and analyzing earlier
testimony of Capital Transit wit
nesseS.
Chairman Flanagan and James
Lauderdale, commission member,
interrupted repeatedly to urge Mr.
Eldridge to present facts instead of
his personal opinion. So did Capital
Transit Attorneys F. G. Await and
Raymond Sparks.
Mr. Booth, who had been involved
In all three previous arguments
this week, finally rose to declare:
This commission treats us as
though we had nothing to offer
worthy of its attention"
So far, that is exactly the fact"
Mr.. Flanagan replied.
HaggIe Over Testimony.
The participants haggled for Is
minutes over whether or not Mr..
Eldridge's testimony was fact or
opinion. When Mr.. Booth accused
the PUG of bias, Assistant Corpora
ton Counsel Lloyd B. Harrison
who had crossed swords loudly with
Mr.. Booth thrice before in the
hearings-jumped to his feet.
Il demand that Mr.. Booth be
excluded from this proceeding be-
cause of contemptuous conduct to-
ward this commission
Mr.. Booth shouted back, and it
vas several seconds before Mr..
Flanagan was able to restore order
with his gavel.
Attorney Booth had time to say
he thought Mr.. Harrison should
spend more time working for the
people and less for the transit
company.
Mr.. Flanagan then observed he
would not follow Mr.. Harrison's
suggestion to exclude Mr.. Booth
but he added he found it tempt
ing" thought.
Climax Of Argument.
There was more confusion at the
clamax of the argument over the
relevancy of Mr. Eldridge's testi-
mony, Mr.. Booth shouted:
Il withdraw this witness, and ]
also withdraw myself from further
participation in this case"
Mr.. Flanagan apparently did not
hear Mr.. Booths statement with
drawing himself. At a short recess
a few minutes later, Mr.. Flanagan
was told of what Mr.. Booth had said
When the hearing reconvened
Mr.. Flanagan asked Mr.. Booth il
he had withdrawn.
Il withdraw that statement" the
attorney replied. I'VE all get 6
little worn out and tired. you know.
Mr.. Flanagan said he knew.
Later, Mr.. Booth clashed with Mr.
Await, registering establishment "a
the depths to which you (Mr. Await
can stoop." He also said he hitherto
had thought Mr.. Await to be {
gentleman. Mr.. Await replied tina
he would have to stoop pretty low
to keep pace with Mr.. Booth.
Mr.. Booth said he expects to place
two or possibly three witnesses OF
the stand today. One OF them vii
be Charles H. Houston, prominen
colored attorney.