Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-05-26
EGAN FIGHTS WITH
. PATROLMEN FOR
FREE CAR RIDES
Says There Is Nothing in Law
Necessitating Public Sery-
ices Action.
| APPEARS BEFORE PUBLIC
UTILITY BOARD TODAY
Reduced School Tickets to Be
Sold Until June 4, Is
Announced. &sy

A surprise was sprung today when
Assemblyman Egan, of Hudson, who
presented the bill which is now the
troublesome public utilities law, ap-
peared before the Board of Public
Utility Commissioners at today's hear
ing in the Court House. in behalf Of
the State Patrolmen's Association. Mr..
Egan contended there was nothing in
the law which necessitated prohibiting
policemen and firemen from riding free
on trolley cars, as ordered recently by
the Public Service Corporation. He de-
clared he had not had much time to
prepare his case, but would submit
brief to the commission at Trenton
next Wednesday,
The matter of the school childrens
fares was first brought up, and the
three lawyers representing the Public
Service Corporation designated by their
silence that the company Is satisfied
to await e decision of the Supreme
Court. The company has put the mat
ter before the latter tribunal to deter
mine whether or not the recent public
utilities law has been properly inter-
preted by tr. Frank Bergen, general
counsel of the company, who advised
the company to cease issuing the re-
duced fare tickets to school, children,
as 1t might be called unlawful under
the undue discrimination" clause Of
the new law.
Mr.. L. L Howard Gilmour and Mr.
ID. A. Armstrong were also present
with Mr.. Bergen representing the COM
pany.
Continue Sale Until June 4.
Mr.. Rober- Williams, president OF
the commission, held short consulta-
tion with Mr. Frank H. Sommer, coun-
sci for the commission, when the Pub
lie Service lawyers made no motion aud
announced that the present issuance Of
reduced school tickets will be con-
tinued until June 4. A further hearing
| will be held before the commission on
June %.
Committees from the local fire and
police departments were present. The
firemen we're represented by former
State Senator Michael T. Barrett, who,
in lengthy address. declared the pub
lie utilities law was never intended to
deprive the firemen of the privilege Of
free riding on cars. He declared the
firemen cannot afford to pay the car
fare necessary during the month, as
nearly all have families and are Obliged
to pay for their uniforms. Mr.. Barrett
declared the firemen were a very USE
ful body of men to the Public Service
Corporation in many ways. He de-
clared he did not believe a member OF
the Legislature would have voted to
pass the bill If he thought the f1remcn
would have been deprived of free rid
ing on cars.
Protest from Jersey City.
City Attorney Haight. of Jersey City,
representing the firemen, policemen
and health officers of Jersey City de-
clared the men were entitled to free
transportation on trolley cars. He
spoke of the wido territory covered by
the Jersey City firemen and police and
declared it absurd to expect them to
pay their own fare when answering a
riot call or any emergency case. The
matter of the policemen having caught
number of pickpockets on cars was
brought to the attention of the cazn-
mission.
Frank Bergen, of the Public Service
Corporation, in a brief spirited talk =
outlined the position of the corporation.
He declared that certain clauses in the
public utilities law made Ii necessary
for the company to cease giving free
transportation to firemen and police
men, and the stopping of the reduced
fare school tickets. The company had
set itself to abide by the law, declared
Mr. Bergen, and would do So He in
sisted, however. that it was not just
that abuse and criticism should be
heaped upon the Public Service Cor
poration because somebody had made
a mistake. 1t was noted with interest
that Mr.. Bergens declaration followed
the assertion of Assemblyman Egan
that the firemen and policemen were
not barred from free transportation
under the present law.
Health Inspector In Doubt
Henry Mcdonald an inspector of the
local Board of Health, appeared for his
brother inspectors. He declared he
and the men were in doubt as to
whether the new law prohibited them
from riding free on the street cars
Mr.. Mcdonald admitted, when ques-
toned. that no attempt had been made
by a local health officer to ride free on
the cars since the law became effective.
He asserted that the health officers
were of the opinion that free transpor-
tation would be refused them if they
attempted TO Doaro a car without pay
ing fare. The health board had found
the practise of sending inspectors on
occupied street cars to enforce the
anti-spitting law very successful The
matter would be taken into conference,
declared Commissioner Williams.
The conflict of the present public
utilities law with the interstate COM
meree commissions decision was ex-
tolled by several steam-railway repre-
sentatives. j. F. Schaperkoeter, coun-
sci for the Lehigh Valley railroad, de-
clared the matter becomes more com
plicated each year by the actions of the
Legislature. He declared that 40
passes have been given by the Lehigh
Valley railroad, and they required
ruling from the Board of Public Utility
Commissioners on matters refef to
in the new law. All lawyers were in