Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1911-08-23
INTEREST In
FARE FIGHT
Utility Boards Action Puts
the Traction Company on
the Defensive
TRACTION OFFICIALS
TO SHAPE THEIR COURSE

Much interest has been aroused ove1
the session of the Board OF Public
Utility Commissioners yesterday in bo.
ginning its consideration Of the aboli.
tion of strip tickets by the Wilmington
and Philadelphia Traction Company
to determine whether or not ths com.
pany shall be ordered TO restore the
tickets to public sale.
The Utility Commissioners yesterday
put the Traction Company on the de-
Tense. The company admitted the fact
that the sale Of tickets had been dis
continued, and fell back upon the plea
that Il has a charter right and a legal
right TO abolish the tickets and charge
a straight five cent fare. During the
discussion. President Crosby of the
Traction Company made It clear that
he considers the companies also have
a legal right under their charters, to
charge for transfers from certain lines
TO others II they should be so dis
posed. but IL would be bad business
to do So" he added.
Make Prima FacIe Case.
City Solicitor Hastings yesterday
advised the Commission, and the latter
followed that view, that under tha
law he only considers II necessary for
the Commission to make out a prima
facie case in support Of complaint,
and then II is up TO the public utility
complained against to make q defense
as TO whether or not the things com,
planned Of are reasonable OF unreasonl
able
The Traction Company representa-
"a
the Commission TO define the rules OF
principles it would follow in determine
ing whether or not six for a quarter
tickets or a five cent straight fare
would provide a reasonable revenue
ffor the company. Mr.. Crosby wanted %
know whether the Commissioners
would make any allowance for the fact
that for thirty years no dividends had
been paid on city railway lines
The hearing ended yesterday with
the Traction Companys representa-
tivos being directed by President Tay-
lor of the Utility Commission TO sub
NIT any reply, statement or defens'
they chose, and they were given unit
: Wednesday next to decide upon thsi
Q plan of procedure
Financial Situation. -~---
II Is believed the Traction Compan
will be reluctant to disclose the fnan
cial situation and bond issue OF com
panies IL controls in Wilmington, sucl
as the 100000 bond issue on the littll
Wilmington to Edge Moor Railwa,
| and other big bond issues, TO helI
meet interest on which the company Is
now after extra nickels by abolishine
the strip tickets. These bond is
sues We're made before the Whining
ton and Philadelphia Traction Com
pany took over the lines, but the lat
ter company has TO pay a fixed rental
and meet the interest on outstanding
bonds. in addition to meeting other
charges out Of its revenues derived
from carfares.
President Taylor yesterday said the
commission desired financial details OF
, the company to assist in determining
what would be a reasonable rate.
Judging from the attitude Mr.. Cros-
by, Mr.. Neary and Mr. Scott of the
Traction Company, to the effect that
the right to charge a five-cent straight
fare is a charter right that no tribunal
can take away, It would not be sur
prisgng II the company eventually
should take the controversy into SUI
perior Court. where It would be heard
I on the merits Of the case, under the
Utilities law. The merits Of the case
might require such a detailed financial
statement to be produced IN evidence
} Dictrict Attorney John p. Nields, a
, Federal officer, YVES one of those pres
ent, along with Senator Thomas NJ
Monaghan, Senator Charles r. NIL
Ter. who also was an advoc Of the
! Utilities law. and many others at yes
terdays hearing. Mr.. Nields wal
asked II he was present in behalf OF
2 the Federal Court or the Interstate
D Commerce Commission, and he said he
was not