Evening journal., 1911-08-12
ORDER RAILWAY TO
SELL STRIP TICKETS
Street and Sewer Directors Take Immediate Action
Against Plan of Wilmington and Philadelphia
Line TO Abolish Six-for- Quarter Rides.
FIRST CONFLICT WITH PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD

the strip tickets would be abolished.
Officials Of the company at the time
said there was no such intention, but
announcement was made yesterday at
ternoon from the company's office that
the strip tickets would be discontinued
after the cessation of business on Sun
day.
Accompanying IL was another an
nouncement of an increase of one cent
an hour in the wages of the motormen
and conductors of the company, max
ing the maximum wage twenty-four
cents an hour, and the minimum wage
will be twenty-one cents an hour for
men entering the service after August
Is, during their first years service of
the company. Ninety per cent. Of the
men will receive "a cents an hour. the
company says.
Many Complain.
A general howl went up on all sides
when it was learned today that strip
tickets were to be discontinued. One
man said It would mean SIS a year
more in carfare he would have to pay.
Some persons went so far as to pre-
dict that the trolley company's move
would be TO abolish free transfers. but
the company officials disclaim any
such plan.
Conductors Of the trolley company
were doing a land-office business in
strip tickets this morning. One man
on Delaware avenue car bought SIS
worth Of tickets, and one conductor
on that line sold $50 worth Of tickets
up to noon. mostly to persons who in
tend to use the tickets after their
sale is stopped.
Henry NJ. Taylor. president Of the
Public Utilities Commission today
was asked whether the commission
would consider the abolition Of strip
tickets. He said: Il cannot say as
yet what the commission will do as
] have not consulted the other mem
bers. Our attorney has not given his
opinion as yet defining the duties of
the commission and of the Street and
Sewer Commission"
Mr.. Taylor said that he understood
that when strip tickets were abolished
in Philadelphia some time ago this
company's action eventually was sus
sustained by the courts.
Under the law creating the Publ,
| Utilities Commission 1t viii be neces.
sary first for complaint to be filed
against the abolition Of the strip tick.
cts, and one Wilmingtonian today
said he would see that complaint was
filed with the commission. The law
defining the Commissions duties
among others, says:
"To hear and examine complaints
/ concerning rates charged by any such
public utility as herein defined, and
to make such recommendations and
orders as it may deem proper con.
! cerning such rates"
Another section designates the At.
torney-General or City Solicitor Il
/ enforce the orders or recommenda.
tions of the board. The right of ap.
peal is given from the order ol
/ recommendation to the Superior
Court. but the appeal shall not stay
/ the operation of the order appealed
from. but a stay may be granted BY
the court in its discretion. A penalty
Of one hundred dollars a day is pro
vided for failure to comply with an!
order after it shall become operative
Reading some time ago had al
agitation over the abolition of tn
strip tickets, and the matter was tax
en- to court. The company EVENTUAL
won out, but an appeal is now pend
ing
Increase in Wages.
The Wilmington and Philadelphi
Continued on Second Page.)