Evening journal., 1913-07-24
UTILITIES
COMMISSION
ASKS FUNDS
Money is Needed, Solicitor
Says, to Carry Gut Troll
ley Investigation
COUNCIL HEARS STORY
AND POSTPONES ACTION

Members OF the Board Of Public
Utility Commissioners accompanied
by City Solicitor Daniel o. Hastings,
appeared before City Council last
night in committee of the whole
meeting, to urge that body to defray
the expenses OF making invesiiga-
tions Of complaints received by the
board.
President Peirce Of the commits
sion was present and was invited 20
address the Council but he introduced
Mr. Hastings as the spokesman for
the board The latter said that the
reason for the presence OF the COM
mlssioners was the fact that money
was necessary TO carry on an inves-
tigation of the affairs OF the VIII
mington aud Philadelphia Traction
Company for It's failure to sell car
tickets az the 6 for % cent sratc. a
complaint having been received In
this connection from the Central La
Dor Union Mr.. Hastings said the
board was bound to act on this COM
plaint but II had no money TO make
the necessary investigation. He said
this company had sold tickets for
% cents for years and he thought the
company should show why fares had
been increased On Mr.. Hastings
advice the case had been taken into
the United States Court but the
counsel for the company contended
that the complaint was NOT brought
under proper process OF law anC
Judge Edward G. Bradford sustained
this contention. Mr. Hastings sait
the board is not willing to take an.
moro chances. He said that an in
vcstigation Of the railway company
financial affairs may cost from 81,
600 to $1,000. He further said tn
commission could create bills ant
council would have to pay them. bu
as the commission is one branch q
the city government. Il did not car
to act without first comforting wit
Council Council he said. had pre-
vided only from $500 to $1,000 In II
budget for the ensuing year for tf
commission and he considered III
amount insufficient. Mr.. Hastinl
said the question Is whether the pc
pie want the investigation made.
"lf they don't then len the matt
+ rest where Il is be- said. hut II th'
Y do money viii have TO be provide
' TO carry q on"
Mr.. Hastings said he representl
{ both Council and the Board Of Publ
{ Utility Commissioners IN the matte
4 and that he had brought the matte
: Ito the attention of Council. so thl
Il could discuss It and reach son
conclusion
s Colonel Weller e. Stover. OF n
IA Seventh ward. wanted 10 know viii
4 effect the valuation OF the property {
public service corporations woul
have on strip tickets.
Mr.. Hastings said IL would help, bi
admitted that experts would have
[ be employed 70 obtain this valuation
and that ii might take weeks an
months to do so. lie said he col
sidered the law constitutional but
3 had been difficult to do anything und,
t Il. He thought the matter would en-
, In the court
Councilman StOvcr said Il appeare
as though the commission was anxiou
to get into q fight
Mr. Hastings said this was n,
Z true. The board was not anxious bl
il the people want such an lnvestig'
r tion II should be made. He said thu
is appeared that a majority OF III
people we're satisfied to make the II
vestigation but il would take muc
money TO take il up.
r Councilman Zimmerman. Of III
o First ward said the investigate
should be made even though il CO.
Z $4,000 to $4,000. He thought Coui
ell should give the board IFS supper
No action was taken, the matter b.
r ing laid over for further considers
| ton.