Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-27
THREE CENT FARES.
Workinemen Will Ask the Traction
Companies for Lower Rates.
WOULD NOT REDUCE THE REVENUE
The Duquesne Expected TO lie the First to
Grant the Favor, but
c. l.. MAGEE DOES NOT YET PROMISE 1T

There is a movement on foot to secure a
reduction of fares in street cars in the city
for the benefit OF working people, during
the hours, morning and evening, when they
go to and return from their employment.
The matter is in the hands of the officials
of District Assembly 8, knights of Labor,
and the proposed plan is to formulate re-
quest to be presented to the managers of all
the traction roads, asking that the fare be-
tween the hours of and o'clock in the
morning and 8 and in the evening be re-
duced to cents. The proposed action is
based upon the fact that in some
cities this method has been adopted
voluntarily; in New York State a
bill is pending in the Legislature COM
pelling the street car companies to provide
this accommodation for the workingmeD,
and in Cincinnati and some other large
cities the 3-cent fare prevails all day.
An Increase of Revenue Expected.
1t is argued by those interested IN the mat
ter that the experience of the companies
under such a plan would be similar to that
of the United States Government With it.
every reduction has meant an increase in
revenue. This state of things is founded on
the principle that a man will spend s. in small
amounts before he will spend whole dollar at
once Taking this view of the case it is claimed
that no argument is needed to show that 4 re-
ductfon of fares as suggested would not only
be great benefit to the industrial people. but
that it would increase the travel sufficiently to
create an increase III the receipts OF the COM
pauy as well.
In speaking of the matter last night Master
Workman Evans said: THE railroad COM
panies are continually receiving valuable fran
chises from the city for which they pay abso-
lutely nothing. The working people pay the
bulk of the taxes that support the city govern
ment, and after all the working people are pri-
marily entitled to consideration from the law
making powers. These companies could well
afford to grant such a privilege, but in Pitts
burg it would have to come as matter
of charity from them. Unfortunately
for US, the companies nearly all hold
amount they please almost. l think the Blr-
mingham company could charge 10 cents if
thev felt disposed to do so, while believe the
Union Line is the only one in the two cities
that is limited to cents. Some charge 9
cents, and one or two roads that did charge 6
came down to as a matter of convenience to
them rather than an accommodation to the
public"
Views of Traction Officials.
For the purpose of learning how the proposed
request will be received by the companies. Sec
retary Graham. of the Pleasant Valley lines,
of it. The margin on our business is too close.
Last year we hauled 100000 of people and
our net earnings were only $50 900. If we were
to cut down l cent even during the hours sug-
gested our profits would be about gone. for that
is the time in the day when the traffic is the
heaviest We might as we'll stop business
entirely. if we were compelled to do that, and
it would be unfair for the labor people to at.
tempt to compel us to make tue reduction"
Z. L. Magee, of the new Duquesne Company,
asked DrObablo action
company will be in case the request is made.
I'VE must wait until we get our road in opera
ton" said he, land find out what o1r travel
will amount to before can say whether a re-
duction will be made or not. l believe cents
is recognized as the standard fare on street
cars in all cities, and our company has an un-
usually long line even for that amount"
Mr.. Magee did not commit himself definitely
either way, and it is significant that the labor
officials look for the Duquesne company to be
the first to grant their request.