New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-14
COMMUTERS TO Combine
Plan for National Organization
Started in New Jersey.
WICKERSHAM TAKES ACTION
Has Consulted with Interstate
Commerce Commission Re-
garding New Rates.

The formation of a national organization
OF an users Of railroads IN the United
States will be the next move Of those VINO
oppose higher railroad rates and wish 10
divorce the railroads from politics
The Commuters League of New Jersey,
which is rapidly enlisting the forty thou
sand New Jersey commuters in its fight
against increased Communication rates, is
expected to affiliate with tri-state organi-
zation embracing New York, New Jersey
and Connecticut commuters and TO de-
uelop shortly into a national organization
with the two objects stated
Governor Fort Of New Jersey is consid-
cred a strong ally by Thomas r. Creede
and other New York and New Jersey busi-
ness men and lawyers who are pressing
forward the plan: they consider the Gov
ernor's speech at the East Orange mass
meeting last Saturday, in which he urged
the people to protect themselves through
organization from inlpositions of railroads
and Misrepresentation by politicians, 10 be
Of national importance. II is believed that
the plan has large possibilities for good,
as about IS per cent Of the people use the
railroads II one way or another The or
canization viii he non-partisan and in line
With the suggestion of a new party made
al
rnand a pledge on railroad matters from
each candidate for Office
Within week, the leaders say, delegates
from each municipality in New Jersey to
The state league will be elected. Then
monster mass meeting will be held to con-
vince Governor Fort that the people of the
state wish him TO call d special session
If the Legislature TO deal with the railroad
situation and 10 pass laws radically amend
ing the public utilities bill passed by the
last Legislature.
Mr.. Creede said last evening that he was
strongly in favor of the tri-state organiza-
ton Of commuters and that he felt sure
New jersey will cooperate The West
chester County Chamber of Commerce has
offered TO cooperate with Governor Fort
70 obtain relief for the commuters James
G., Cannon. of the Fourth National Bank.
president of the Westchester County Cham
Der of Commerce. has called q meeting of
the chambers transportation committee for
Wednesday afternoon TO consider definite
plan OF action submitted by Hugh NJ Hew-
son, attorney for the Westchester conmu-
tiers H E Angel. secretary of the cham
Der, said yesterday:
Il thoroughly agree with Mr. Hewson's
ideas on the situation. His action before
the Public Service Commission at Albany
saved the commuters Of eight stations on
the New Haven road at least 100000 dur
ing the following month. AS there are fifty
two stations on the New York Central di-
visions where no relief has been obtained
hundreds of thousands of dollars in the
course of a year could be saved to the New
York commuters alone on both roads by
united and effective action"
in
Mr. fIewson yesterday. SIS equivalent to 5
per cent interest on a mortgage on properly
worth 81 900 The increase in rates, there
fore, depreciates every mans property
81 600, and greatly reduces the value of the
taxable property in each town and city It
would seem 10 be incumbent the mulc-
qualities to act in order TO protect their citi-
zens and taxpayers"
The general passenger agents OF the rail
roads in New Jersey have been summoned
70 appear in Trenton. y. J.. to-day before
the State Railroad Commission, which will
investigate the proposed increases in rates
Meetings of commuters, boards of trade
and municipal bodies in many towns and
cities will be held during the coming week
Washington, June 13.-Commuters out
Of New York whose destination is an
other state may yet have their complaints
Of the unraasonableness Of the rates
recently filed with the Interstate Com
merce Commission taken up by that body
for a decision 10 whether they should
stand Acting on dispatches received by
him. Attorney General Wickersham has
taken UP the matter with the commission.
The rates are not effective until July l.
II is expected that the railroad bill pending
in Congress will have become law before
that time, when the commission will have
power on its own initiative TO investigate
any rates complained of, if It sees fit to do
so The understanding is that the commits
sion Will take such action in the New York
cases.