Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-28
COMMUTERS ASK
U. S. TO SUSPEND
INCREASED RATES
Appeal to Commerce Com
mission to Prevent Rail
roads From Boosting Fares
Until Protest Is Heard.

A direct appeal to the Interstate Com
merce Commission at Washington to
take up the fight Of the commuters
against the proposed increase in railroad
passenger rates was made this morning
by Edwin NJ Abbott, attorney for the
Commuters Association, organized at the
Garrick Theatre last Tuesday.
In letter to the Commission, Mr.. Alb
bott requested the proposed increase be
suspended by the Commission until that
body has given the commuters a hear
ing, and until the Pennsylvania Public
Service Commission can act.
The formal request of Mr. Abbott, sup
plementins that made last night by Ward
W, Pierson counsel for Harrison s. Nor
ris, who also urged the Interstate Com
merce Commission to intervene directly
in the commuters fight, was a result of
several questions asked by Ex-Governor
Samuel w. Pennypacker yesterday while
presiding at the hearing before the Public
Service Commission,
COMMISSION SUGGESTED INCREASE.
Three times Commissioner Pennypacker
asked protesting commuters whether they
had taken up the proposed increase with
the Interstate Commerce Commission In
one instance, where the reply was in the
negative, Mr.. Pennypacker called atten-
tion to tho fact the Interstate Com
merce Commission had originally sug-
gested the increase to the railroads.
Determined TO leave no stone unturned
In their hght against the increase, the ap-
peals TO the Interstate Commerce Com
mission were promptly made.
Demand for criminal action against the
railroad officials was urged last night
When representatives from 2S cities, towns
ana boroughs in New Jersey met In the
camden City Hall. Resolutions were
passed calling upon United States Dis
tFict Attorney ]. Warren Davis TO insti-
tute proceedings against the directors of
the several companies on the ground cir
eumstanees point TO a violation of Fed
eral laws covering conspiracy.
A permanent organization to carry on
the night was perfected by the election OF
the following officers: President Mayor
Charles H. Ellis. OF Camden: vice presi-
dent Murry Z. Boyer, RiYerton; secre-
tary, James l.. Polk. Merehantulle, ana
treasurer, II. d. LeCato. Audubon.
URGE CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY.
Another resolution adopted called for
cooperative action between the INFER
state Commerce Commission and the New
Jersey Public Utilities Commission. A
third resolution requested a congressional
investigation Of the increase. The mai
iN9oiu'iSil oNoPfeu SaAleu upon the Cover
nor and the Public Utilities Commission
70 appoint attorneys to represent the state
before the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion.
The Chamber Of Commerce at Atlantto
City last night took up the hght arainst
the rate increase and appointed a COM
mittee 70 cooperate with other New Ier-
sey organizations Ia the movement D.
test meetings are being arranged in IAN.
bertyille, Hammonton ana EdgeV,srsr
Park. ase'
The Ardmore Civic Association me-,
ing m the \. M. C. A. Building ~ 49,
more last night Joined n the niovemest
ana deeided % hie a formal protest .si4b
we interstate lQmmefce Commission.