The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-23
PRES. ILLSLEY'S REPLY.
lie Takes Exception TO Three of the Fou
Criticisms of the board Of Trade

lie Takes Exception TO Three Of the -Four
Criticisms OF the board Of Trade
The recent criticism of the Scranton
Traction company system which was
included in a report of the pl( lie safety
committee of the board of trade has
called forth the following communica-
ton from j. p. Illsley, the company's
president:
The Scranton Traction company.
Scranton. Pa, March q, 1896.
To the Citizens of Scranton:
My attention has been called to the
report of a committee of the board of
trade upon the affairs of this company,
saying upon investigation. etc. 1T finds
several objections to the present sys-
TEN, but deems it wise to mention but
four of them at this time"
Now it is fair play for u committee
representing such an important body to
make an investigation. without consult
ing either the manager of the company
or any of its officers, and discussing
such suggestions as would. in their
opinion. be to the interest of the public,
and ascertain how they could be car
ried out? For whatever conduces to
the interest of the public in getting from
one portion Of the city to another is for
the interest of this company, and any
suggestion made to the manager will
be thankfully received. frankly dis
cllssed. and If practicable. carried into
effect
The first suggestion. AN insufficient
number of cars at certain hours" he
would show could not in all cases be
avoided until he had the authority from
the city to build additional tracks
where the present tracks AT those hours
are crowded to their full capacity.
The second he could show was cer-
tainly for the interest of the company.
as Hat wheels tend to destroy the cars
and motors very rapidly but in winter
weather. on the heavy grades of this
city. so many become Hat that all that
can be done is to be constantly renew
ing them. which is being done.
The third. about the landing of pas
sengers at the terminals of the routes,
he could change if desired by the larg-
at present he is of the opinion a ma
iurity desire to reach the present ter
mnal by as direct a route as possible
In answer to the fourth suggestion.
] can only refer to the rules of the
company. where conductors are held re-
sponsible for any rough or profane
language upon the cars. which rules
are open for inspection to anyone desir-
ing to see them. and which are rigidly
enforced. But 1t is impossible for the
manager to know of the 10000 pas
sengers carried daily upon the cars how
many used profanc language or were
intoxicated. unless some one convers-
ant with the fact informs him. and
whenever such information Is sent ia
him measures are promptly taken to
remedy the evil but in no instance has
a report ever been made of conductor
being prOfane or indecent.
The rules of the company are framed
TO promote good order and protect the
rights and feelings of all its patrons
and we ask the assistance of the public
to aid i'm enforcing them. The general
manager is always ready to employ
the strong arm of the law whenever
occasion justifes. as what the company
desires is good order however obtained
j. p. Illsley, president.