The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-15
IS MAN|FESTLY UNFAIR
General hanager Il, 4. Archer interviewed
at Length on Pole lal.
VERY FRANK IN HIS STATEMENTS

Show That the Compauy's Liberal
Policy Is Not Appreciated Certain
Privileges win BE Abrogated Rem.
edy for unsightly Poles,
Few men IN this city have shown
the liberal policy that has actuatod
General Manager Archer, of the Scran'
vent amongst us. The action OF his
company yesterday in agreeing TO pay
| $40 900 toward the construction Of the
! proposed viRduot. is but another proof
| Other examples are bis otter OF 81 900
70 the city tor the widening OF Mates
street, aud his willingness to contrib
uta portion OF tho expense that would
DO incurred IN relnoVtng tho piers in
| Carbon street that support tue bridge
crossing to the Pine Brook shaft
| Notwithstanding these aud other eX.
htbitons OF good will there are persons
Z in the community who say chat tho
company OiEers no equivalent for tho
franchises that have been granted by
/ the city, lt is also urged that the
stock is held by persons living outside
the city aud the revenues derived are
| likewise expended abroad. la reply 70
( tA9 first objection the fact is cited that
whsu the Peoples company wSs endeav.
orlug 70 Stset sale local capitalists
would not venture. In reply 80 the
second objections Nc Archer makes
the Statements that are credited to him
below
NIX AECaER uS THE POLE TAX.
IL IS oi course not necessary to state
that Mr. Archer is Interested, In a
measure, IN tho 0rlinaUce now pond
ing before c0mmOn council, and Il was
70 ascertain his opinions ou the sub
lscG that q TRIBUNE reporter visited
nim Al bis office yesterday, Asked his
opiniOn OF the ordinance. no replied
IL do not know whether councils are
sincere in that matter or not. have
been given TO understand by some per
sous that the Introduction OF tho ordin.
auce was intended to put at lsaS: one
Of the members ia an embarrassing Do.
si,iOu, aud there is record o! a similar
occurrence soma time ago, for the
sams purpose
IF the ordinance IS introduced in
good faith ! have no hesitation IN say
ing that lt Is mAuites.ly unfair at this
Elms aud have less hesitation in say
luZ that 10 case the ordinance becomes
operative aud the company is obliged
to pay the tax. ss the representative
Of the company will Dc obliged 10 de.
prlys the people Of some OF the adyant-
ages they have been enjoying during
the past year Do not understand that
I make this as threat IL IS not in.
tended as sucd. consider such tax
as that contemplated, unwarranted,
and If 1t IS imposed tue public gsnsr
ally will not ceusUcs me for seeing
that the tax. il it bs pail. shall not
come direct from the company This
/ IS a mere matter OF business
To make M meaning more clear.
continued Mr.. Archer, let me say
This company is paying far more than
an equivalent TO the revenue that
would oe derived from taxing the
D0lss Of course it is not paid to the
city direct, but that class OF people
who stand mos; Ia need Of 1t, the work
lng men and women Of the community,
are deriving toe benefits. Toe benefits
refer to are the reduced fares. where
BY the poorest can afJrd trsusQorsa-
tiou when necessary.
FIGURES sHOwN ~ PROOF.
"A proof Of the statement made above
Mr. Archer, after a careful perusal Of
the passen ger receipts accounts for the
year. said During last year 207, l30
wornag z people have been carried at
'3 cents each. a saving directly to
'hsse people Of 81. 1880 There have
also been transported SO. 40 school
children and teachers at y cents each
or a saving to that class Of g.. 45S, 50
During the ssms period the NUMBER Of
free transfers that hsd been used by
the people was 1,085 Az, showing a
saving to the people Of S54. S75 80 This
makes a grand total Of $50, 905. 70, and
nst WithstandiDg this very liberal pol
Icy / am pleased to STATE that there has
been a small increase 10 the gross re
csipts Of the company
when | CANE 70 Scranton and be
came converIant with its methods in
formed the officials Of our company
that the citizens generally sssmsl diS
posed to allow fair treatment 10 the
railway company | also further in
formed them that it would be polite
10 show a liberal sDirit 10 their treat
msnt In return. WAS advised TO use
my own Judgement in tho premises
and have not lost an opportunity Of
showing TO the psopls that ws apprs-
cistsd their friendship and we're solici
tous for their wants
1T may be argued that il this liberal
mode Of treatment we're abrOgatsd ths
company would be the loser Thsrs is
no likelihood Of suon contingency,
for more than two thirds Of the people
would have 10 stop riding entirely be-
fore there would b. any appreeisble
loss"
Speaking Of expenditures Mr. Archer
said Since it's acquisition Of ths
property In this city tbs company has
expended $3.50. 900. OF this amount
more than $3.50. 900 or 81. 900 a day has
bssn expended In this city. the balance
fos electrical machinery and equip.
msnts During that time ths com
pany's daily average Of msn employed
wA $50 and the system at this tins
gives employment to mors than 200
men
THE POLES ARE USsiGHILY.
Bat Mr. Archer. querisd the re
porter. do you not agree that the
number Of poles erected in the city IL
greatly in excess OF what is required
and that they mar more or less the
city's besutyi'
Il DO There can be no denial Of