The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-16
TH|RDEDIT|0N
3:I5 O'CLOCK.
THEIR ANSWER.
Communication From the
Railroad Company.
Willing to Grant Transfers if
the City Does Its Share.
The Situation Set Forth in Letter
TO Committee on Transfers.
The Situation Set Forth in a Letter
to Committee on Transfers.

The following letter from the managers
of the Union Railroad Company was re-
ceived this afternoon by the joint special
committee OF the City Council on trans
fers:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN-We have carefully
considered the suggestions made by your
committee n week ago and in order TO
avoid Misunderstanding we have de-
cided to submit our response in writing
The question of transfers Is one OF the
mcst difficult and troublesome encount-
cred in street railway management, not
only on account OF the great expense and
losses ii entails, but also on account OF
the manifest opportunity 1t affords for
frauds. The difficulties surrounding the
question in a city like Providence, where
all the lines radiate from a common
center, are vastly greater than in rec
tangular city.
As you are aware, our predecessors were
convinced that the service in Providence
was mere satisf ctory to the great major
ity of its patrons with lines running
across the centre of the city without
change of cars than il would he II lines
terminated at the great bridge and pas
sengers were forced TO transfer there.
After a careful study OF the problem we
arrived at the same conclusion and have
steadily pursued the policy OF extending
our lines across the city and of running
new lines, so as practically connect all
sections of the city with each other.
We still believe the policy indicated TO
be the true policy, b [ as your commit
tee have asked US to consider system OF
transfers outlined by you, we have given
your wishes such attention as we could
in the limited tins at our disposal.
We are fully satisfied that such sys-
tenn of transfers as you suggest can only
l
the greatest degree of comfort and con-
venience to the public, and at the same
time TO protect the railroad company from
frauds, by the use OF a transfer station at
the center of our lines at Weybosset
Bridge. We feel certain that you will
after full examination OF the subject reach
the same decision. Our engineers and
Mr.. Alfred Stone, our architect, have been
engaged a large portion Of the time for
the past week in preparing plans for such
a starion, which , e submit herewith.
- You understand, OF course, that these
who Is present, will gladly go over the
details with you.
We have endeavored to estimate ac-
curately as possible the effect that the
adoption of your ideas OF proper system
of transfers in the manner proposed
would have upon the expenditures and re-
ceipts OF our company.
1T would involve additional expenditure
as follows:
/. To make the necessary changes in
tracks and the erection of a suita BILE sta
tion, not less than S75,0 900.
2. The cost of maintenance of the
transfer station with its necess force of
gatekeepers, janitors, etc, would be at
least S25 000 to $50, 900 per annum.
8. 1he adidi, onal car mileage TO be run
in order to cover fully the territory in the
city limits would entail great expense on
the company for which 1t W. uld receive
no adequate return.
made TO our rolling stock, feeder lines
and power station equipment, the cost OF
which we are not now able TO estimate.
1t is more difficult TO measure accurate
~ the effect which the radical change
suggested would have on the revenue of
the compa y. In this connection We
would remind you that the ideas of the
committee, as stated by its various MEM
bers last Saturday, contemplate a system
of transfers which would practically per-
nit free transfer within the city limits
TO and from all parts OF the city. Ii
would provide for running through the
transfer station at frequent intervals of
cars suitably designated over all lines ter
nina ing within The city and like cars
stopping at the city limits over all other
lines of road within the city in every di
rection.
this Is much more comprehensive scheme
than has ever been suggested to us pub
licly or privately as proper system of
transfers.
II it shoud be adopted we can only es-
timate its effect upon our revenue by an
examination and comparison with the re-
suits in other cities.
In the city OF Nashville, where trans
fer station similar to the one we suggest
Is in successful operation, 40 per cent. of
the people who ride are transferred.
In some other citits one In three or one
In four are transferred.
IL we assume that the extremely liberal
system of free transfers you suggest
would have similar results here, the loss
OF receipts TO the company would be
about $3.50, 900 on the basis OF our present
earnings.
II must be evident TO you from these
statements that your plans involve COM
plete revolution In our business in the
city OF Providence.
IL has been the unchanging purpose OF
the Union Railroad Comrany under its
present management TO give the people of
providence and vicinity an electric road
equal In every respect TO the very best.
To achieve this result we have spared
neither pains nor exnense. We believe
that such road msnaged i'm progress
sive and liberal spirit must be one OF the
most potent agencies In securing de-
velopment and prosperity of the com
munity. The remarkable growth and de-
velopment OF the territory reached by our
lines within the past three years, seem
u confirm this view. The owners OF the
road have actually expended within three
years, In its purchase and improvement,
between nine and ten million dollars.
We can see clearly that further large ex-
Denditures will ie necessary i'm the future