The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-03-11
WANT ONLY FAIR TREATMENT
Former Mayor Dan o. Head Presides
Over Square DEAL Meet at Elks'
Club Attended by Business Men,
Pass Resolution to the Legislature.

Pleas fer an impartial investigation
by the Wisconsin legislature into the
passenger traffic earnings of Wisconsin
railroads relative to this income s con-
trlbutlon to share Of expense of oper-
alton were this morning made to a
group OF local business men who gath
cred at the Elks club to listen to rail
way officials on the matter The meet
ing passed resolution asking for the
investigation and the subsequent Civ
ing OF carriers rate increase to two
and>one-half cents per mile or that in
crease deemed just to conduct their
business at a legitimate profit. Form
er Mayor Dan Q. Head, presided.
The railroad men quietly and with
out much adieu and fireworks advanced
their arguments on the proposed rate
change Modern American crazes for
every feature of twentieth century life
in travelling were given as the reasons
tor advanced cost of operation, to-
gether with those met in the rapidly
rising prices of all equipment. The
public demands speed and accommoda-
ton and domination by the government
has not permitted an income favorable
to the demands made upon the rail
roads, they said. That all that was re-
quested Of the public at the present
time was the endorsement of the rail
roads request for thorough investi-
81
cation of the matter was the closing
remark of every speaker who appear
ed for the railroads. They gave their
reasons and were unanimously Of the
opinion that the sentiment of the pub
llc during the past several years was
undergoing material change from the
feeling of antagonism which has been
prevalent through years past.
=. r. Nash, assistant general super
intendent Of the Chicago and North
western system, was the first speaker
Mr.. Nash reviewed briefly the reason
for the calling of the business men of
the city together to hear the represen-
tatives of three of the great roads in
the northern section of the country on
the question of increasing the rate of
passenger fares. He was of the opinion
that the increase was no more than le-
gitimate under the present existing con-
dltions which compelled the railways,
previous to adverse legislation, to draw
from freight revenues to make up de-
icits occurring in the passenger de-
partment and which at the present
time were continually losing money in
passenger traffic.
G. A. Cairns, general passenger agent
Oh the Northwestern, followed Mr..
Nash and reviewed the two cent fare
history. He said the state of Ohio was
the first commonwealth of the country
to adopt this rate. Other states fol-
lowed suit and in Wisconsin the mat
ter underwent thorough investigation
By the railroad commission, only to be
thrown before the legislature, which
compelled the companies to reduce to
the two cent plan. According to Mr..
Cairns, the commission found that two
cents was wholly too low rate per
mile to warrant a lowering from the
fare of that time and that the COM
mission was ready to recommend
higher fare when the matter was dis
posed Of through politics.
The North Western agent showed
that while New England states in some
instances have five times as many peo-
pie per railroad mile as Wisconsin and
that the fare is higher than that of this
state, Wisconsin, with one-ffth people
per railroad mile, is seeking to hold the
railroads to an even lower fare rate.
The increase in equipment he
said, in rails, ballast, heavier en-
gines, modern steel passenger coaches,
elevations and all down the line, has
also increased the cost of operation
without single penny income from the
companies customers. Steel cars cost
from two to four thousand dollars
over the old wooden affairs. The rail-
roads have to suffer the cost.
HWe must have relief if the present
system is to be continued and main
tanned. The public is demanding both
of the latter but in some eases balk
at the increase.
"Of each dollar earned in the passen-
ger service by the company, forty-four
cents goes for wages, twenty five cents
for supplies -four and one-half cents for
taxes, eight and one-half cents for
rents, depreciations, etc., thirteen cents
for interest on funded debts, and from
four to five cents as dividends to
stockholders.
That the middle west, particularly on
the lines west of Chicago, is securing
better service, both as to accommoda-
ton and equipment, was the statement
of W. w. Winton, representing the
Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul road.
Furthermcre the east already has
the relief the west is at present ask
ing for.
J. G. Pond, agent Of the 500 Line,