Evening journal., 1911-09-21
THURSDAY, SEPT. 81, 1911
THE TROLLEY SITUATION.

IT HI wilmington and Philadelphia Traction
4 Company has decided to fight its issue with
the Public Utilities Commission and the people to
finish. II has decided not to restore the strip
tickets and to test the entire matter in the courts
Our hope is that the court will act promptly and
decisively so that the rights of the company and
the rights of the people may be defined.
The community wants 10 know just where
II stands in the matter-whether it has
rights against those of the Traction Company
1t is unfortunate that the Traction Company has
not displayed more concatory spirit towards
the public Ever since the merger it seems to
have been more or less in conflict with the pub
lie There has been trouble over the charges for
lighting, there is still trouble, and there is now
a conflict over rates for transportation.
In other words, there has been a continual case
of friction where it would be much better if the
company had the good will Of the public and their
cooperation
However, since the company is disposed to hew
close line there is nothing for the people to DO
but meet the issue as it is presented When the
court has rendered its decision, the time will be
ripe for the public to consider the situation and
what is the best thing to be done under the cir
cumStanceS
If the contention Of the company regarding
charter rights should be sustained it would mean
that despite any growth the city might make and
despite any changed conditions that might arise,
the Utilities Commission would practically not
have the control over the Wilmington and Philadel-
phia Traction Company that it claims.
The Journal thinks that the company really has
no cause for complaint A few months ago the
Street and Sewer Department in the face of oppo-
stlon on the part OF a considerable number of the
people granted the company concessions which
were Of value to it in its financial operations At
that time the directors might have tied up the com
pany more tightly and perhaps have done some
thing which would have been Of value in aiding TO
solve the present situation The company responds
TO this treatment by increasing the burdens inn
posed upon its patrons by twenty per cent
Much is said about losses sustained by investors
in the securities of public service corporations in
the past There may have been losses in the past
just as spectators in other securities have taken
their chances and lost. But, on the other hand
while considering losses it might be we'll TO con-
slider gains
If the figures could be given Of all the
money that has been secured by manipuators OF
public service franchises in this city, of manipu
lators-of the properties now controlled by the Will
mington and Philadelphia Traction Company, tn
Journal believes that the bulgng pocketbooks OF
the franchise mongers would show that certainly
as much has been made out of these properties
as has been lost. The balance would probably
be on the profit side.
But, however that maybe, the public has moth
ing to do with the losses sustained in the past AMI
more than il would have TO do with merchant Of
other business man who might say that he JUST
fed his high prices because some who owneC
his store in the dim and misty past had lost MONEY
by operating it.
The Journal knows that managing public ser
vice corporation is no easy task Difficulties tina
seemingly are insurmountabe are encounterel
and that is the reason why the heads of publ
service corporations usually men of conspiC
uous business acumen and talent.
But we still believe that the troubles of publ
service corporations when they experience fnar
cial tightness and difficulty in making both end
meet, due 10 the fact that they are trying
earn money on a valuation fixed on their prope
ties greatly in excess Of their real worth If ii
properties Of the Wilmington and Philadelph
Traction Company we're fairly valued we thin
there would be no difficulty in earning large pc
centage on such valuation.