Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-15

upon the actual Investment.
1t isn't considered likely that the
State Board of Assessors or the rail
roads will be inclined to furnish all the
documents and data asked for In the
resolutions introduced by Railroad
Commissioners Thomas J. Hillery and
Robert Williams. President Frank H.
Sommer was not inclined to discuss the
plans of the board In event of the re-
quests being refused, but 1t is believed
that mandamus proceedings will be be-
gun If necessary to force production
of desired papers.
The commuters claim hat nothing
but delay can be the outcome of the
commissions investigation of railroad
property values. Nc matter what sort
of a set of valuation figures Is COM
piled and the commission has fixed
upon values, nothing can be dond, by
the commissions own admission.
The increased rates will soon go into
effect, and 1t will then be too late for
anything to be done.
That outraged public sentiment is
growing stronger and stronger against
the railroads and against those who do
not try to check the wholesale eXaction
of increased fares is shown by the large
number of Indignation meetings that
are scheduled ahead.
Meeting of Mayors Tonight.
The conference at the City Hall to-
night of heads OF municipalities, ca Led
by Mayor Haussling at the request Of
the Common Council, promises to be
fruitful of action. A large attendance
is expected, and, besides. the mayors
and other officials, some of the angry
commuters will speak.
It is expected that City Counsel
James r. Nugent, who was requested
to ascertain q method of checking the
| increase, If possible. will make a re-
port, It is believed that the meeting
will result in making more emphat c
the demand upon Governor Fort to cal
a special session of the Legislature.
The mayors of Jersey City, Paterson,
Elizabeth, Trenton, New Brunswick,
Passaic. Caldwell, Montclair and Or
ange are expected to be present.
Notwithstanding the statement made
by General Passenger Agent II. II,
wallace, of the Erie railroad, before
the Railroad Commission yesterday
that the patrons of the Erie had ex-
4 pressed approval of the increased rates
and his unqualified declaration that
not a single patron had sent a direct
protest to the company, Governor Fort
today received the following:
Strive, a committee of the Ridge
wood Commuters Association, here
with hand you a petition from the COM
muters of this town, asking that you
call an extra session of the Legislature
10 protect from increased and oppres-
slve rates those citizens who must ride
backward and forward every day on
our railroads, and Especially on the
New York. Susquehanna and Western
line, leased to the Erie railroad. g.
Further than this, We are Informed
that the lease of the New York, Sus
~quehannA and Western railroad TX
preEsly forbids any increase of passenu
ger rates by the Erie railroad during
the term of lease, and we believe that
you as Governor, with the aid of the
attorney general of the State, will see
that our rights In this matter are pro-
tected. Very respectfully.
JOEL c. TITUS.
PEARL KALER,
feF wv. H, HUNTER"
~ 1000 ERIE Commuters Petition.
The following is a copy of a petition
signed by more than 500 commuters,
which was sent to Governor Fort;
Whereas the Erie railroad has given
notice of an increased rate of commu-
tation, to take effect July 1, 1910. and
Whereas the same Is a great injus-
tice to the commuters residing In this
village, and :
Whereas there may be some doubt
as to the powers of the Railroad Conn
mission to properly deal with this mat
ter under the existing law.
I'VE hereby respectfully petition
your honor to call IN extra session of
the Legislature to enact such laws as
will give to said Railroad Commission
full and ample powers to safeguard the
interests Of the people in regard to
amount of communication rates to be
charged. SO that the same shall be rea-
sonable and not oppressive"
The following Is a copy OF a petition
signed by more than 500 of the com
muters Of Ridgefeld Park. which has
been sent to the Railroad Commission;
Whereas the Erie railroad has given
notice of q raise of rates for passen.
ger service on It's road to this village.
which is to Jake effect July /, 1910, and
Whereas said proposed rates are un-
reasonable and oppressive OF the people
Of this village
I'VE respectfully petition your honor
able body to take up this matter, and,
after notice to said railroad company,
make an order restraining the said
railroad company from putting In effect
said proposed rates Of fare, on the
ground that the same are unreasonable
and oppressive"
Commuters League Expands.
A meeting will! be held early tonight
In the office of Mayor William B. Card
well, OF East Orange, to consider the
proposition to extend the Commuters
League Of New Jersey to New York
and Connecticut, and thereby forming
a Tri-State Commuters League.
'Nrhe proposition has been made to
us to let our organization be the
nucleus of a commuter league OF the
whole metropolitan district" said Ed
ward d. McKown, secretary Of b East
Orange organization today.
I'VE have received communications
from the mayors or executives OF more
than thirty New Jersey communities.
and as our fight Is an interstate prop
osition there are many h deem 1t
advisable to work in conjunction with
the aroused communities of our sister
States and make a direct appeal to the
Interstate Commerce Commission"