The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-19
3 CENTS ENOUGH.
New York Demands a Reduction
in Street Car Fares.
Legislature will be Asked to
Take Action.
THE MOVE POPULAR.
ChicagO'S Council Also Asks a
Reduction.
Resolve That Five Cents is Too
Much for Standing Room.

NEW YORK, Dec. 19-The Indspend-
emit County organization has begun a
fight for the purpose of compelling the
street railway companies to reduce fares
to three cents.
This is political organization, organ
lied some years ago by Charles Steckler,
who was previous to that a Tammany
Democrat but who was opposed to the
spoils methods of all political parties.
He and his followers have since been
earnest in the advocacy of principles and
projects which would benefit the whole
people, and not few politicians alone.
The organization ran ticket of its own
at the recent election, and cast 10000
votes. It confidently expects to have
following of not less than $4,000 at the
next election.
A meeting of the executive committee
was held today to arrange for tho pri-
marles of the organization, to be held
January 2. These resolutions were
adopted relating to the cheaper fare
question:
Reiterating our advocacy of the princi-
pie of an independent, untra mmeled and
courageous course in elections, we rec
ommsnd to the consideration of the leg
islature the reduction of fares on the sur
face and elevated car lines of this city
from to 8 cents. The railroad corpora
tions of this city are no longer independ-
ent companies, competing with each
other for public patronage, but are grad
ually forming trust at a steady rejuc-
ton of expenditures and in the enjoy
ment of public franchises for which the
| people of the city get no just or adequate
compensation.
The enormous present profits of such
roads upon a slender investment are
| represented in an additional watered
stock, and the record of the comptrol-
ler's ofics shows that the lawful pay
ments by several of these roads are
being vigorously resisted under various
pretexts and in some cases practically
repudiated.
At the same time the public con-
venienee is not properly served and the
multiplied rrotits of the syndicate are in
creased. Under these circumstances we
advocate the reduction of the fares to
passengers at q time when the public
burdens are being necessarily incrs ased.
Chairman Stockler followed this with
an address, in which he declared the
saving of 2 cents for each pas
riders daily, means a saving to the
people of New York of $4,000 per day,
or 81. 100000 per annum. He further
stated that the railroads of this CITY are
capitalized at $75, 10000; that the cost to
build aud equip them was 1928, 467, $40,
and that the stock has been watered to
the extent of $685., 46O. He added:
81 have consulted with several we'll
known capitalists. and 1 can organize a
syndicate which will purchase all the
roads of this city for what it cost to build
and equip them. This syndicate will
give guarantee to carry passengers for
! cents instead of s. If the legislature
refuses to pass this measure we will
nominate candidates next fall for the as
sembly pledged to secure its passage"
Council Takes Action in Chicago.
CHICAGO, Dec. 19.-First steps toward