The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-14
TRANSFER
TICKETS
DISCUSSED
Hearing on tho Bill Reported
by Nh. RemIlngsr Given al
tho State House.

There was a large attendance at the
State House yesterday afternoon, when
the Joint special committee on free trans
fer tickets gave hearing on the bill now
pendinr before the General Assembly.
only a few persons, however. spoke, the
idea seeming 10 prevail that IL was un-
necessary 10 go into details, as free
transfer tickets were bound 10 come In
short order.
Representative j. Everett Andrew, or
Central Falls, opened the ball and he said
in substance: THE only criticism con-
cerning this act is perhaps that 1t Is not
broad enough. The cities of Pawtucket
and Central Falls and the town or Cum
berland would not be affected by the blu
as IL now stands. ! would suggest sever
al changes. Their effect would be to al
low a passenger TO ride. after receiving
a ticket. wherever he might have been
carried had he paid FIVE cents on the sec
ond line instead OF giving the transfer.
Walter f. Angel. attorney for the
Union Railroad company, said: i wish 10
say that the Union Railroad company
has under consideration proposition
whereby IL Is to give transfer tickets. Ot
| this | have nothing TO say at present.
About six years ago similar act was
introduced I'm the General Assembly, ana
| then, as now, the Union Railroad COM
pany held that In the matter OF regulat-
, ing fares, etc. I'm view of the contract OF
| the company with the state, the General
Assembly is incompetent to legislate on
this question. Incompetent because OF the
contract already existing, particularly
with this city.
1T seems TO me IL the General Assem-
bly, should enact any such legislation as
proposed in this bill IL would be breach
of faith, for the constitution of the Unit
ed States provides that legislatures shall
not enact any bills that shall violate any
contract already made"
T.. ]. Mccarthy, ESQ. said that the rail-
road company is public necessity and n
public servant, from whom the people
have a right 10 claim certain things.
These measures were passed through the
undue influence OF the railroad company
I'm the legislature, and against the will OF
the representatives of the city OF Provi-
dence. These acts were driven through
the legislature and the city OF Providence
was driven into IL.
City Solicitor Colwell spoke briefly and
he said that the city OF Providence was
interested In the passage Of the act.
Until the Union Railroad company" he
said, declares outright that II does not in
matter. / will, refrain from raising any
OF the many points which might be call
ed up. Until then we will refrain from
taking this matter farther.
''If the Legislature or the city OF Provi-
dence should see At TO take this matter
before a court. some of these lawyers
might be surprised at the decision of a
court.
Now II we can have transfer tickets.
and / understand that the railroad COM
pany is perfectly willing TO give up, but
not under compulsion, we will not fight
over &C. We are willing 10 indulge the
railroad company in any little whim OF
this kind"
Representative Higgins. OF Pawtucket,
wanted 10 know from Mr.. Angel wheth-
er the Union Railroad company intends
| TO grant n system OF transfers practical
| ly as asked I'm the bill, but Mr.. Angel
| said that he was unable To answer the
| question, and he was not prepared TO dis
| cuss the merits OF the bill at that time
There did not appear TO he anybody
else who wanted 90 talk, so the hearing
| was declared closed.