Evening journal., 1914-02-13
FRIDAY, FEB. Is. 1914.
DON'T oYERsHOoT THE MARX.


~ HARLEs EDWARD RUSSELL, of New York. de-
- nvered address in this city last evening in
favor Of official action compelling the Wilmington and
Philadelphia Traction Company sell strip tickets en-
ttng purchasers six rides its trolley lines for
twenty-five c,nts. Mr. Russell is Socialist He rep
resents a Socialist newspaper published in New York
That Socialist newspaper IS endeayoring to establish
circulation in Wilmington. Part Of its plan is to at
tack local corporations. The Wilmington and Phladel-
phia Traction Company the first on the list Mr..
Russell was selected to make the attack He began by
writing articles in the representative of the
facts which published in the Socialist newspaper
Now as a climax he has delivered an address, In some
respects f. was a summary and in other respects an
amplincat.on, Of those socialistic articles.
In view Of she fact that Mr.. Russell is from New
York the further fact that the trolley lines in
that city charge nvecent fare except for rhort rides
across the cts-owned East River bridges the question
naturally arises why Mr.. Russell does not wage
campaign for strip tickets that city instead of
ing to Wilmington, in which city he has traction
interest, either as proprietor or passenger The
articles and the speech show that he has only
sided hor-sighted view Of the local traction sit
uation and that he has sought TO public pre-
udice along soclalistc lines, against 'he Wilmington
and Philadelphia Traction Company rather than TO get
the facts and Justice to all parties affected by
what is admittedly local controversy which should
be- and will be- settled by the orderly Of law
The people of Wilmington yho live in those sections
already served by the lines Of the Wilmington and
Philadelphia Traction Company would rather have good
trolley service without strip tickets than poor trolley
service with strip tickets
That part population which lives IN those
tons Of city not yet tapped by the railway lines,
would rattrr have fare with track extensions
than a strip ticket fare without track extensions
II the people might have service Improvement track
oxtension and sfrin tickets those things vvouId
welcomed by everyone. because it is human nature to
take everything beneficial that It is possi-
bic to get.
The officials of the Wilmington and Philadelphia
Traction company say that If they be permitted
tinue to pursue their present policy Of charging i've
cent fare and granting liberal transfer privileges they
Will be able to provide improved service AID make track
extensions for which the people are asking.
They add however, that if they be compelled to sell
six tic cts for twenty-five cents under sriptcket
ruling, the Of the rystem will be reduced
such extent that It VIII be financial impossibiity
to make the improvements of service and the track
extensions asked FOR by the people in contempa-
ton by the company.
There are those who are clamoring for the strip
tickets who lake issue with the traction officials They
insist that the company disposed # might do
all three things for the benefit of the public without
serious detriment to itself The weakness underlying
such assertions is that they based upon information
and belief rather than upon positive knowledge. They
represent the gossip of antcorporaton sentiment rath
er than spirit to give the company Fair play and to
base the argument upon provable fact
We take it that not even our traction officials win
deny that city is entitled in some respects to better
service than it is getting and that for the promo
ton Of municipal development extensions should be
built into the outlying districts which are susceptible
Of such development On some of the lines the people
need more cars, less srap-hanging in the rush hours
shorter headway and better running time. Those who
have sought, who purpose seeking the comforts
Of living in the outlying Districts need track exten-
ons which will take them near to their homes Basng
our opinion upon our knowledge Of human nature and
the local situation. are firmly convinced that if
the people could have those things on hve-cent fare
they would rather have them than suffer continuance
Of existing conditions for the sake Of saving avesixths
of a cent a ride.
Experience has shown that the American people are
willing to pay fair price for good service and that
they would rather do that than pay poor price for
poor service.
Those who prone to criticize traction COM
panies should not lose sight Of the fact that service
improvements run into big money That is particular
y true in these days. when labor is higher and the
cost Of materials which into railway construction
md operation far in advance Of what It was several
years ago. or even one year ago.
Then too It must be remembered that many improve
ments made do not produce additional revenue to or
set the cost OF their installation The ebb and flow o,
travel in city Ike this here transit tranic "a iirh,
and traction company depends almost entirely upop
the local population for support averages about the
same from day to day barring that natural Increment
which comes through growth Of population.
This statement IA reference to addition revenue i
psrtieuiariy true Of raiIv extensions into Bes ter