Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-04
W. D. DISSTON FILES
COMPLAINT AGAINST
INCREASE OF RATES
Head of Large Saw Manu-
featuring Concern Protests
in the Name of $500 En-
ployes.

William d. Dlsston. vice president Of
Henry Disston g. Sons, saw manufactur-
ers. Of Tacony, today filed a letter OF pro-
test against the proposed passenger rate
Increase by the railroads with the Penn
sylvania Public Service Commission at
Harrisburg. Mr.. Disston stated that a
large number of the $500 employees OF the
plant have been using the worlxlngmen's
tickets, and under the proposal OF the
railroads their expenses will be greatly
Increased.
ANOTHER PROTEST
v. A. Burchard secretary treasurer OF
beadville Council, No. 3Oi, United Com
mercial Travellers, writes in objectlns to
the proposed increase:
The railroads OF this country are maxi
ing a strong appeal to the Interstate Com
merce Commission to Increase the charges
which they make for the services, and
we commercial travellers feel that this
Is blow to us, who use mileage books.
Indirectly, we have to pay this increase
In mileage rates. as our salaries are
based on what 1t costs to get business.
This increase would seem to be a
determination against us We do not
believe that any increase in passenger
rates should be permitted that does not
include all interstate rates, and we espe-
eially object to any increase in the cost
Of mileage books"
REAL ESTATE MEN ROUSED
D. e. Dallam OF 514 Walnut street, in
formed the commission that he has been
instructed by the Philadelphia Real Es-
tate Board to enter a formal protest |
against the proposed fare increases and to |
present, IL necessary. a short verbal argu-
ment against said arbitrary action on the |
part OF the railroads.
E. L. Conwell. vice president OF the |
Henry s. Spackman Engineering Com
pany, 2024 Arch street, whose home Is in
Chester, complained as follows:
Owing to absences due to business
necessities 1 do not average more than
16 to 20 round trips per month between
the two cities and have, therefore, found |
the 10O-trip ticket highly satisfactory.
"At no time during the last eight years
could 1 have used 70 per cent. of the
rides on a monthly ticket and l. there
fore. have considered this ticket out of
the question. The abolition of the 100
trip ticket is, therefore, considerable
ip upon me (as 1t is upon other
:. commuters) as, II l continue to
In Chester, 1 will be forced to
ither the full single trip rate or
lase monthly tickets, a large num-
Of the rides of which could not use"
CHARGE DISCRIMINATION.
Charges that the Pennsylvania. the
Reading and the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
roads have been guilty OF unjust dis
elimination against Philadelphia in pro-
posing sweeping increase in the commu-
.ation rates affecting this city, while the
rates for New York city
will remain the same. will be taken up
,y the Transportation and Suburban Com
nittee of the United Business Mems AS
Iociation at a meeting tomorrow morning
II 1929 Chestnut street.
The meeting has peen called to outline |
he argument which is to be presented at
he formal hearing of the Pennsylvania
Public Service Commission next Thurs
lay, when this committee will represent
nearly 200 civic and Improvement asso-
,iations In the city and within committing !
OF the city.
Edward 3. Martin. chairman of the
oint committee. said today that the ques- 4
ion OF discrimination would be among the !
most important phases OF the protest. and
lata will be presented to show that the
rec railroads entering this city have
worked particularly against Philadelphia
n the proposed increases.
ITO FIGHT TO FINISH"
apparently" Mr.. Martin said. 'the v
ailroads are about to use Philadelphia {
or the starting point for an extraordinary b
'enture. We do not understand what a
hey are trying to do by raising the b
ates Immediately TO the maximum. They
ay they need the money, but the present a
ng attempt, far different from the usual I
Methods OF the railroads. I
.'Our committee is prepared to fight the c
Increase to a finish. both before the Penn q
ylvania Public Service Commission and b
,efore the Interstate Commerce Commis- r
ion. II we fail before both these bodies L
We will carry our case into the courts"
William Carey Marshall, who, with Ed n
yard West hled arguments against the Il
proposed increase before the Interstate ''
Commerce Commission at Washington y
on behalf Of the South Jersey I
Commuters Association, said today that a
he commission would probably consider
heir appeal on Monday.
'sWhile we feel that we will have a
,earing," MIR. Marshall said. I'VE have no o
as to what action will be {
aken Today Mr.. West and myself are 4
.oing, 70 prepare a brief to submit to the
Attorney General at Washington, asking
lat the Department OF Justice investigate ,
he evidence OF colluslon and Illegal con- a
piracy on the part OF railroads" 4