The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-12
LABOR'S OPPORTUNITY.
The Recommendation of
Lower Fares for Street
Railway Franchises
Enthusiastically
Received.
A LEADERS ENDORSEMENT
West Hoboksn Workingmen Should
Take the Initiative, Now
That the Opportunity
Presents Itself.
\ LEADERS ENDORSEMENT

"Labor's opportunity Yes. it is labor's
opportunity, and / trust organized labor
will not be slow to act on the suggestion
of your paper, and use every honorable
endeavor to secure lower car fares and
ferriage now that the opportunity pre-
sents ITSELF"
Thus enthusiastically spoke a well
known advocate of labor's rights. one
known to every friend of organized labor
in Hudson County. He had read the
article in THE JERSEY CITY NEWS Sarur-
day. on the subject of street railway com
panies paying for valuable franchises by
agreeing to reduce the fares. thus direct
" benefting the working people.
Now. before / speak on the subject
promise not to, use my name," the gen.
tIeman said, 'and for this reason. You
know and others know that as q repre-
sentative labor nan / entered politics,
ind carried lab0r's banner unfortunately
not to victory. But that act has branded
me as a politician, and if now it were
known who spoke as + would like to speak
of this matter, it would be said that /
spoke as a politician having something
other than labor's interest at heart.
A PRACTICABLE IDEA.
Il have read and reread your article,
and am deeply impressed with the rec
ommendation. 1t is simple, 1t is prsc-
~ticaole, and above all it is truly bene-
fetal. Now, of course. there are two
sides to a story, and likewise there are
Two sides to this matter, the peoples aud
the company's. | do not believe in de-
nouncing all corporations simply be-
cause they are corporations. These street
railway companies are a necessity. II
there were no prospect of increased travel
in the future, OF no progressivensss in
any respect, ii, in fact, the travelling. was
that only a respectable percentage
was earned on the money invested. then /
would be willing to nav the franchises
given gratis. But is such the casel No,
IL is not. The increase OF population
makes rapid transit necessary. and rapid
transit will be the means of increasing
the population. Rapid transit will not
bring to the northern parts of the county
new factories, new business enterprises.
1t will bring new residents. who will
travel morning and night to their en-
ployment in New York.
INCREASED POPULATION,
This new population will be made up
of mechanics, citizens-the. working
peoDle-to whom every penny counts.
and a saving in care fare n ferriage, no
matter how small. every day in the year,
will be welcome to a man of family. You
may rest assured, the companies do not
wish to give rapid transit facilities sim
ply because the people ask 1t. 1t means
increased profits to them. / have no
doubt the trolley system is less expensive
than the horses, and this fact, compiled
with the profits to be derived from the
BILE increase of population should
make the franchise valuable to the COM
noru fOrffr r mo nnnr1oh 80 49,, 49,
benefits should fnure to the work
ing people. The town will be benefited
by increased populations. the property
owners by increased valuations; and the
working people, who pay the freight, so
to speak, by the reduction in fares.
THE woRKINGMAN's RIGHT.
Eyes, the more l consider the matter
the more ] am impressed with its feast
bility. Property owners demand this and
that and the other thing, and all to in
crease the valueof their property. Why,
then, should not the workingman demand
which will benefit himself, demand
which will save him money. 1t is
an unjust demand. 1t is his right.
in matters of this concern, we
vainly appealed to the Legislature
for relief. but You have shown us the
way to action ourselves. The Weapon for
securing reduced fares is at our own
doors. and IL we fail to use it. it is our
own fault.
THE workingmen of West Hoboken
d grand opportunity. Let them
by demanding of their Town
Council that consent to place the trolley
poles and wires be given only when the
agree to reduce the fares. Let
hem begin. and the cry will be taken up
jersey City and Hoboken. throughout
The county, In fact, and a healthy public
sentiment created in favor of lower
.ares.
sit will not be,a hardship to the COM
1t will be an act of justice to the
working people,"