Evening star., 1953-04-10
Directors Reelected
By Stockholders Of
Capital Transit
By Donald B. HodIey


were all reelected today at the
annual stockholders meeting
which lasted only Is minutes.
Proxies for 753 800 Of the COM
pany's 100000 shares were cast
unanimously for each director
nominated by the management.
The meeting was attended by
"a persons, including officers,
directors, few retired employees
and newspaper reporters. Only
three stockholders not associated
with the company were present.
New Vice President Named.
At an organizational meeting
OF the board of directors, follow
ing the stockholders session
John B. Ecker was elected a vice
president. He will assume new
responsibilities in addition to
continuing as general manager.
Louis E. Wolfson was re-elect-
ed chairman of the board and
j. A. B. Broadwater, president
as we'll as other officers.
Mr.. Wolfson presided and re-
peatedly called for stockholders
questions or comments. Finally
he turned to President Broad
water. beside him, and remarked.
They must be satisfied with the
way you're operating the COM
pany."
One stockholder asked whether
the establishment of zone rates
for transit rides within the Dis
trict would be possible.
II can't say that it would be
impossible but I don't think it
would b. practical" said Mr..
Broadwater.
Bargain" Rides Cited.
The same stockholder said he
had noticed what a bargain ride
the residents of Chevy Chase re-
ceive when they boarded buses
within the District line, COM
pared with rates paid by those
who live only a mile beyond.
'I would go further than
that" said Mr.. Broadwater, 81
think the transit ride for people
all over the District is the best
bargain they get"
In answer to another question
Mr.. Broadwater said that statis-
tics on company equipment and
mileage were left out of the
annual report when it was short
ened to reduce expenses.
However he reported to the
stockholders that the company
had 500 streetcars and 982 buses
at the end of 1852.
The same stockho1der asked
whether elimination of street.
cars in favor of all-bus opera
tions might not save money.
Profits in Streetcars.
Mr.. Broadwater replied he did
not think such a step would save
money and added that streetcar
operations produced all of the
company's earnings, whereas bus
operations, both in the District
and in Maryland, resulted in an
overall loss. He declared the
company was forced to operate
too many improbable lines.
Asked whether the Chevy
Chase line was Improbable, he
answered, THAT is one of the
better lines"
Mr.. Ecker Joined the old Capt.
tai Traction Co. as assistant en-
gineer in 1929 following his grad
uation from Washington and Lee
University. In 1888 he was ap-
pointed research engineer and in
1914 director of research and
planning. He became assistant
general manager in 1949, assist
ant to the president in 1851 and
general manager in January,
1852.
A native of Georgetown, he is
a member of the American So
ciety of Civil Engineers, the
Washington Society of Engineers,
the Washington Board of Trade,
the Kiwanis Club, the Chevy
Chase Club and the Cosmos Club.
Reelected directors were:
Daniel w. Bell, william B.
Bennett, Mr.. Broadwater, G.
Thomas Dunlop, Elkin B. Ger
bert, E. c. Giddings, R. E. Har-
vey, ]. Edward Heberle, Edward
D. Merrill, Jack Surasky, Frank
E. Weakley, Doran S. Weinstein,
Cecil Wolfson and Sam w.
Wolfson.
Other reelected officers were:
Mr.. Weinstein, executive vice
president: James H. Flanagan
and MIR. Giddings. vice presi-
dents; Mr.. Harvey, vice presi-
dent and controller; Ralph r,
Powell. secretary; S. E. McCor-
mick. treasurer: w. c. Harper,
assistant treasurer, and Richard