Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1910-07-01

TO the Officials of the Railroads In NezU
Jersey Announcing Increases In Pas
senger Rates:

This address is presented you deferentially
didenty For many your interests have been ac
credited with ultimate this State From high places
come admissions that against your influence general neces
ties may not prevail.
Supreme power and corporate terms which
many in this State have upon interchangeable
This definition of State sovereignty long accepted
but of late public Indifference has been uppaned by vigilance
and the terms longer harmonize
Just at the moment the public mind in state of acute
agitation You have announced increases in passenger rates
Some of the increases in force Many believed that
all to be suspended until July 20 Commuters rates only
have been postponed the casual traveller and of single
tickets paying the increases today You have been
charged with discrimination and unfanes in that you have
without necessity increased the living of hundreds of
thousands of New Jerseys people, In defense you have
pleaded increased expenses The plea convincing
The people demand relief. They insisting upon
remedial laws They answered that corporate in
this State dominant be able curb antagonisc
and shape favorable legislation Out of your increased rates
has thus issue that should uneasness
AS you have said in public defense the confidence
and of the people of ncauab value to
you Destroy this confidence and you upon the shoals
You gentlemen have properties under your manage
You have developed your railway systems until they
stand welngh perfect today in the essentials of safety
fort and speed This development has been effected easily
Your roads represent in stocks and bonds aggregate
approximately billion three hundred and fifty million
of dollars
1t in the guarding of these interests that your
great duty lies.
1t is useless deny the tide of public opinion is
setting against corporate and interests The confidence
the people withdrawn in its place feeling
of antagonsm that may may be the forerunner of
trouble The destruction of public confidence in 1907 plunged
the country into devastating panic from which 1t has not
yet recovered
The aligning the side of the aroused and
the other of interests which believed to have pospered
fourished through fayorsm will conduce happy
conditions and of oppression divide
Legislation there will be for the adjustment of these
problems legislator will dare stand against
public demand that will something of justice uphold
it and aroused people to urge it.
time inquire of yourselves whether it would
be wise to abandon intention to increase passenger
pleaded increased Your reports
rdicue plea by showing increased claim
be paying large part of the State know
you paying below the ratio that the individual
paying With the exception of the Erie you earning
paving large dividends this upon capitalization
that may may represent value You sought
Justify your action by asserting that passenger traffic
urban localities maintained loss Assuming this to be
So what the freight which this traffic brings?
You maintain complete system Your profits from
the entire system enable you
to pay dividends beyond the limit prescribed reasonable
Is charge bookkeeping loss against suburban pas
senger swell your surpuses by increasing
the burden of that department?
Reflection and deliberation proper
guidance corporations we'll of individuals For the
present at least be the part
resort to these safeguards the confidence good
will of your patrons by abandoning which your
financial conditions condemn.