Evening journal., 1912-12-21
mRn rxxrn
NIX. bAUhEK
PLEADS FOR
PUBLICITY
Utilities Commissioner Thinks
Trolley Statement Should
bePubIiShed, But Other
Members Object
PROD COMPANIES
FOR MORE INFORMATION


Declaring that nothing could be
gained by secrecy and that state
ments presented by the various pub
ilc utilities companies relative TO
their summing expenses and profits
should be given TO the public, c. Fred
5acher, "a member OF the Board of
Public Utilities engaged in a lively
ult with other members at the meet
Ing of the Board yesterday after
noon. The discussion came up to-
wards the close OF the meeting when
AIR. Bacher presented motion pro-
Niding for the printing of the report
OF the commission with the financial
statements as presented recently by
the city utility companies. At the
same time he presented a copy of the
Massachusetts Commission, which
showed the values, running expenses
and profits OF the various utilities
operating there.
j. Ralph Baily, the recently ap-
pointed member of the Board oppos-
ed the motion claiming that the fig
ures given i'm the Massachusetts re-
port had been compiled by tho
board 's-expert, wheeras abe only fig
ures available here were those pro-
vided by the companies. In further
opposition, Mr.. Bailey said he did net
favor placing the commissions ap-
proval ON the figures il has in hand.
He also asked Mr. Bacher If any good
could come Of the printing of them.
MIR. Bacher declared 1t was for the
benefit of the public, who should
know
This brought forth from Mr. Baily
the retort: The publis have no
right to know" Mr. Bacher differed
with him and declared that there had
been too much secrecy on the part of
the commission already. Samuel G
Cleaver, favored Mr. Bailys plan, as
the city figures in hand were not
those of the commission. Mr. Bacher
contended otherwise and when asked
by Mr.. Cleaver what he meant by the
assertion Of too much secrecy, re-
piled: ALLOW the reporters access
to the files of the commission"
The question was allowed to rest
at this point. President w. H. Vance
appointing Messrs. Peirce, Baily and
Bacher a committee to prepare the
report.
Mr. Bothum. the secretary was in
structcd to communicate with In,
Wilmington and Philadelphia Traction
Company relative to lessees OF the
Wilmington and Edge Moor Electric
Company and the Wilmington City
Railway Company filing immediatel,
with the Secretary of State a repor
OF their operations as required b.
the General Incorporation Law Thi
was done following advice from Cit
Solicitor Daniel o. Hastings. TIL
subject was brought before the Boar,
some time ago by Harry +. Newlin
Of No. 1000 Jackson street, aud as
result the Board communicated will
the Secretary of State who reptile,
that the law had not been compile,
with by these companies
r. w. Crook, manager of the Peo
pies Railway Company. conferre
with the commissioners relative Z
heating cars ventilation and the us
of tenders on the cars. Mr.. Croo
agreed to install thermometers in tn
cars. Mr. Bacher read the rules Q
the Chicago Public Utility BoarC
which provide for temperature q
80 or 60 degrees in cars there, an
also prohibits the use Of open cars be
tween October / and May /.
The complaint of the Central Labo
Union against the Wilmington am
Philadelphia Traction Company on tn
strip ticket question, was ordered sen
back il containing a flaw. The Ger
tlNl Labor Union will prepare anothe
complaint to conform to the opinio
of City Solicitor Hastings
Commissioner Peirce reported tina
complaint had been made to him {
employees of the Wilmington an
Philadelphia Traction Company r'
naming seated in cars that weI
crowded, while passengers who pal
fares, especially women. had bee
compelled to stand Mr.. Crook, of th
Peoples Company said his compan
had issued orders forbidding this.
The next meeting Of the board wi
be held on January 3.