El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-05-29
JITNES OVER
THE COUNTRY.
Reports from 1873 Cities Show
that They Are 0perat-
ing in log of Them.
An investigation Of the operation Of 81

An investigation Of the opera ton Of iltne-
buses in various communities throuEhout the
country has been recently made by the
Fidelity Trust company. OF Baltimore. Nd.
who report that, OF the 15S cities heard
from 1itneys are operating in 106 These
cities represent IS states. the District OF
Columbia and include also eight OF the
principal cities Of the Dominion Of Canada
The first 1itney bus Of record. il is claimed.
appeared in Oakland. Cal. when a second
hand automobile stopped al the curb bear
ing a placaru. win take you anywhere VIII
stop anywhere, for one jitney-" Since then
they have appeared in all parts OF the
country, but OF the 106 cities which re-
ported 20 the trust company that jitneys
were operating in them 10 reported that
the number Of jitneys in operation is de-
creesing- "Of the % cities reporting no
jitney service the report continues. seven
report that the Jitneys appeared. but were
discontinued because they proved unprofit-
able. or as the result OF an unfavorable
public sentiment. reflected in the adoption
Of ordinances for their regulation
an Buffalo, n. y, an attempt was made
TO start jitney service. hut was discontinued.
on account Of regulations adopted by the
city officials. Colorado Springs. Col. re-
ports their discontinuance after two days
trial In Elgin. Ill. the service was under
taken. but abandoned after two weeks trial.
as It did not prove remunerative: likewise
in Green Bay, Wis. jitneys were discontin-
ued after operating a few days In Lex
ington, Ky. the service was discontinued
after a "a hour trial From Ottawa. Ontario.
city Of over 100. 900 population. comes the
report that the 1itney service, after four
day trial, was discontinued from lack OF
patronage; while in Tampa, Fla, the service
only lasted one and One-half days
Bank Gets Data
In making their investigation the Fl
deity Trust company communicated with
several Of the manufacturers OF cars for
Information concerning 5itney service. and
among the answers received was one from
the director Of sales OF one company. who
wrote 1t seems 10 have grown out OF
the desire OF persons with small means 10
establish themselves in a business As a
result there has been much waste, and il is
the writer's opinion that the jitney move
ment viii solve itself
Cities viii undoubtedly regulate. as they
have begun. the operation OF the jitney
Bonds will be required. license fees will be
demanded that will restrict IL not prohibit.
the indiscrlminate use Of private vehicles
for hire Out Of this viii probably grow a
business. OF hack business. using motor cars
and operating probably on streets not now
traversed by street cars
when the business gets on the CONNER
cial basis the speed OF vne car will be lin
tied. the number OF stops prescribed. and
the distance fixed The operator will hard
" be the owner any more than he IS now
a factor IN the operation Of taxicabs. The
jitney today IS craze. Under its present
conditions do not believe IL will survive
Too many operators will be put out OF busi-
ness because Of lack Of capital and the
first need OF a repair or requirement Of
new tire"
In order TO obtain authentic information
inquiries addressed TO the mayor Of the
city, one or more Of the prominent bank
ers. and the street railway authorities.
Answers From Various Cities
Among the answers received were the
following:
Atlanta, Ca Population 154.s39- Jitneys
began running between LIST and 18th Of
March, 1915: earnings OF the street rail-
way not seriously affected; city council has
passed an ordinance requiring each vehicle !
to be placed under bond 10 protect the public Z
In case OF accident; also requiring tax 20 be J
paid for use OF streets The jitney buses
are opposing the ordinance by resort to the /
courts.
Baltimore, Nd Population. 5sS.fS5- The !
socalled jitney bus began operating in Balti- !
more in February last. and there are prob
ably 100 men in service While no special
regulatory measures have yet been
adopted regarding their operation. this ques-
ton is now before the public service COM
mission. The grand jury has also taken up
the question OF their regulation and stated !
that they should contribute proportionately !
10 the maintenance Of the city's park system.
Within the past few days a measure has
been introduced IN the city council having
In view their regulation. II would appear.
therefore. that the public authorities are /
alive TO the fact that the jitney bus should [