Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-19
COMMUTERS READY
TO FIGHT INCREASE
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continued from Pagc One
honorable body at time which may
be considered by you desirable.
Two organizations of the New Jersey
commuters in addition to appealing to
tho New Jersey Public Utilities Com
mission, have carried their complaint
directly to Governor Fielder. asking him
to call u special session of the LegislaA
ture to take some prompt action against
the course proposed by the railroads.
The petition from the United Towns
| Association OF South Jersey and the
South Jersey Commuters Association
which requested Governor Fielder to call
a special session of the New Jersey Leg
islature. set forth that the growth and
prosperity OF the entire state are en-
dangered by the proposed advance and
the cancellation of certain forms of conn
mutation tickets
William Carey Marshall. Of Camden.
counsel for the commuters, went to the
State House yesterday intending to make
a personal appeal, but failing to find
the Governor he sent the petition instead.
The petition points out that the increase
in rates was announced in the face Of the
largest earnings in the history of the
railroads with the exception of one year
and at time when they are paying divi-
dends larger than for many years.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
Jersey, the petition states. now pays
stockholders Of the latter company an
annual dividend OF 10 per cent.
The petition further asks that the At
torney General of the State take such
action In the Federal and State courts as
will safeguard the interests of the citi-
Zens. The Governor is requested to sec
that the State has counsed to represent
1t before the Interstate Commerce COM
mission at Washington.
Doubt was expressed in Trenton this
morning as to the probability of Cover
nor Fielder's agreeing to call special
session of the Legislature, as It is. be-
lIeved by many that the Public Utilities
Commission has ample power to act in
the matter 1t was pointed out, how
ever, that neither the Legislature nor the
Public Utilities Commission has any con-
troll over interstate traffic, and from the
protests OF the commuters this seems to
be what is at Issue.
II was said by several around the State
House at Trenton that the railroads, in
their proposition to increase the pas
senger fares, expect general protest
and by backing down apparently In the
face OF aroused public sentiment they
will have more chance to work through
an increase In the freight rates east OF
Pittsburgh, which will mean more to them
than the increase in passenger fares.
Edward b.. Martin, chairman of the
TRANSPORTATION Committee of the United
Business Mems Association. last night,
acting or behalf OF the Northwest Busi-
ness Mems Association, wrote to the sec
retary of the Interstate Commerce Conn
mission at Washington requesting the
commission to furnish the records OF the
testimony taken last summer in the rail-
road hearings and to appoint special
counsel to act on behalf of the petitioners
before the Public Service Commission of
Pennsylvania.
Should either or both of these requests
he granted II Is the plan OF the Business
Mems Association 10 invite all protesting
organizations to unite In a concerted fight
against the increase.
The North Front Street Business Mems
Association, at a meeting at Front and
Clearheld streets. adopted a resolution
condemning the unjust Increase In pas
senger rates" Edward H. Weber. who
presided at the meeting, said while the
railroads were refused per cent.
freight increase the passenger increase
which they are now seeking is many
times per cent.
Charles F. Mebus, Of GlensideS vice
president OF the Arlington Township
Board OF Commissioners and acting chief
executive OF that body since the death OF
Charles o. Kruger. characterized the in
crease as IAN outrage pure and simple,
which will hurt the suburban sections
from the real estate and every other
business viewpoint"
mass-meeting viii be held in Pitman,
N. j., tonight at which It Is hoped to have
500 persons present who use the railroad
suburban service daily. A meeting is also
being arranged for the near future 20 be
held In Camden when representatives
from all the protesting towns in South
Jersey will be invited.
James v. Ellison. president OF the
Civic AgsOciat tim has De-
sued a call for meeting OF that body
20 be held tomorrow night at the
Wynnewood Tennis Club. Mr. Ellison
has prepared an analysis OF the changes
IN the rates in all classes OF tickets.