Evening journal., 1913-12-06
S75ADAYFOR
THIS EXPERT
APPRAISER
Figure Set by Edward W.
BsmiS to Put Value on
Traction Co. Property
fRY TO REACH AGREEMENT
ON LABOR UNION REQUEST

No action was taken in the matter
pf employing an expert to appraise
the property of the. Wilmington and
Philadelphia Traction Company at
the meeting of the Board Of Public
Utility Commissioners yesterday af-
ternoon. A communication was re-
ceived from Edward w. Bemis. OF
Chicago, the appraisement expert on
railways, in which he stated that be
could not give an exact estimate OF
what making an appraisement OF the
Wilmington and Philadelphia Trac-
ton Company plant would cost, but
as for his own personal work he
would come for $75 a day and ex-
penses.
MIR. Bemis explained in the letter
that il would not be necessary for
him TO be here all the time, but that
after the work was started, II could
be carried on by his assistants, whose
salaries would range from $40 to $5O
a day and expenses. Action was de-
ferred on the letter until future
meeting, and there was no discus
sion upon it.
President j. Jackson Peirce had
been authorized to communicate with
Mr.. Bemis several weeks ago, and
the letter was an answer to his re-
quest as to what the appraisal would
cost
The members of the board de-
cided to hold a special meeting next
Friday evening, which City Solicitor
Daniel o. Hastings and General Man
ager T. w. Wilson, of the traction
company will be invited to attend
to try to reach an amicable settle
ment upon the request of the Cen
trail Labor Union for an investi-
CATION into the affairs of the trac-
tion company.
Efforts will be made to bring abou
better service, better cars and bette
schedule, with the view, as one of thi
members expressed 1t, of "giying tn
public the worth of the straight nv
cent fare"
Following the reading OF MI
Bemis' letter a discussion was preci
pitated by Mr.. Garretson, who said
Don't you think we are wasting
great deal OF time and money il thi
connecticut" Mr.. Baily said h
thought so.
"If we would give the public Nv
cents worth, we would be doing tn
city big favor" said Mr.. Garretsor
He declared that after a careful in
vestigation of Judge Bradfords de
cision in the matter OF the previou
appeal and the traction company
charter, he WIS of the opinion tha
the $4,000 to $50, 900 which would b
spent on the investigation and tn
lighting of the case in courts, woul
be money spent for nothing. .s
President Peirce stood up for th
former plan of the commission to cor
duct the investigation, while the othe
two members did not take much pal
in the discussion. Speaking of Nj
Garretson President Peirce said:
"Your opinion as to the value of tn
traction company charter is againI
that of Judge Hastings" Mr.. Peirc
explained that the city solicitor wa
of the opinion that the traction con
pany was making more than the c
z per cent. earnings, set forth by th
statutes as fair return.
President Peirce stated this morI
ing that Mr.. Bemis would probabl
visit this city some time next wee
TO confer upon the subject.
Indications now are, since receI
changes in the Public Utilities Boar
that little if anything viii be done
compel the Traction Company to r
store six-for-a-quarter tickets
public sale.