The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-03-03
Compromise Rate on Trolley
Line.


Line.
a compromise in the Yardley-Tren-
ton fare controversy between the New
Jersey & Pennsylvania Traction Com
pany and residents of Yardley, the
Merchants Association of Trenton and
the city of Trenton was reached last
week. The company proposed to
charge a Io-cent fare from Trenton to
Yardley, this being an increase of FIVE
cents. The compromise is that for the
next 90 days, beginning Thursday, Feb.
IS, the fare will be 10 cents each way,
and after that I5-cent rate for the
round trip will be charged. In this ar
rangement exception is made for the
cars leaving Trenton at $40 and $50
Z. NJ and leaving Yardley at 6:Io,
6:4o and 1890 A. NJ. On these cars
the fare will be cents. except on Sun
days and holidays, when the increased
rates will be charged.
Malcolm G.. Buchanan appeared for
the protesting parties; Frank S. katz-
cnbach for the trolley company, and
City Solicitor Charles +. Bird repre-
sented Trenton in an advisory capacity
to Mayor Madden.
Mr. Buchanan said the increased
fare would injure the business of 1'ren-
ton merchants, and that the right TO
Use West Hanover and Calhoun streets
bad been given to the company because
OF the trade benefits that would be de
rived. He pointed out that the COM
pany, in order to get terminus in
this city, had agreed at the time OF the
passage of the ordinance, about six
years ago, to charge S-cent fare in
Trenton and to carry passenger To
any point within five mile radius for
s cents.
Mr.. katzenbach replied that a mis-
understanding as to the interpretation
OF the ordinance existed. He told how
the road had been built by Mayor
atom" Johnson, of Cleveland, and de
clarcd it had never been financial
success. 1t was an experimental road
he said, running only to small towns
and its cars never were crowded.
Mr.. katzenbach declared that the
New Jersey and Pennsylvania Trac
ton Company owned no part ot the
road outside of Trenton and that Com
mon Council was without authorit,
when it dictated terms for service out
side the city.
"rhe ordnance" Mr.. Katzenbach
declared. sis not worth the paper it is
written on"
Then Mr.. katzenbach discussed the
ordinance from legal attitude. He
claimed that while a three cent fare
was provided for Trenton, the provi
sion STIMULATING that "outside the city
limits, within radius of five miles oil
the CITY," gave the company the right
to charge an extra FIVE cents after the
cars left Trenton.
In reply to Mr.. Buchanan the adj
mission was made by Mr.. Katzenbacf
that the various branches of the system
had been kept under separate owner
ship for the purpose Of meeting just
such an emergency as the present one
Mr.. Buchanan called Mr.. Katzen
Each's attention To the fact that he wa.
Mayor when the ordinance was passed
and asked it he knew the legislation
was worthless why he had not advised
Common Council of that fact
Then Mr.. katzenbach went'into his
tory. He said he had resigned as
counsel OF the road while negotiations
for the franchise were under way, and
that James Buchanan had received a
large sum for preparing the ordinance.
II think not, interposed the younger
Buchanan.
81 handed him ~ 900 myself" was
MIR. katzenbach's reply.
"You were Mayor and had the veto
power; why didn't you exercise it il
you knew the ordinance was OF no
value p
This question was put to MIR. KATE
enbach by Frederick w. Donnelly, and
long argument followed.