New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-17
WANTS TO INCREASE
COMPUTATION RATES
itGW HaV5n Road Dec JIe} Il Must
Hive More Revenues.

Hartf ora, Mafcn tt nat the New
York, New Haven and Hartford rail-
road has got to have more revenues
or 60 under was the statement made
by B. l. Spock for the company in
support of the bill affecting commu-
tation rates before the railroads COM
mittee of the legislature yesterday af-
ternoon. The bill, as introduced,
provided that no railroad which had
had a system of Communication fares in
force for four years shall abolish or
alter such Communication fares ex ept
to change the rates charged there
fore Mr. Spock introduced an
amendment providing for reference of
the question of fares to the utilities
commission. The me assure was strongly
opposed, Speaker Frank E. Healy
making his first appearance before
any legislative committee to oppose 1t.
Communication Fares.
B. I. Spock, for the New YoIk, New
Haven & Hartford Railroad company,
spea king on House Bill No. SIC, con-
corning Communication fares, presented
an amendment providing that the
rates charged for commutadion or
the system of commute alton shall not
be changed except on approval of the
public utilities commission. Under
the present system the c. mpany had
varying rates of comm utation in the
state between different points of the
same mileage. This was due to the
provision of the law providing a ratio
between the communication rates of
1866 and the way fares. This had CIV
en- rise to many complaints. In Rhode
Island, Massachusetts and New York
the utilities commits len had taken this
matter in hand and had es tabished
uniform rates. The cost of operation
of the railroad had increased to such
a point that the road had got to get
more money. for it's transp ortation. If
the bill becomes an act everybody
would be given a right to be heard by
the utilities commission. To equalize
the rates will mean, in many in
stances, the reduction of rates In 9TH
ers it may mean an increase. The util-
tiles commission now has the right to
make much regulation, if the bill was
enacted. The purpose was to make the
rates in Connecticut the same as in
other states. The railroad company
should not be compelled to receive in
1915 for transportation the same
rates that it did in 1865
A. B. Smith, general passenger
agent for the New Haven" said
there were as many different COM
mutation rates in Connecticut as
there were hairs on his head. He
cited differences in rates now exist
ing, to show the inconsistency of the |
rates The interstate commerce |
commission had accepted the rates |
of lei
New York, as a fair and just rate.
The road had voluntarily established
scholars tickets at half the rate for
adults /
Speaker HeaIy OH Deck.
Speaker Healy asked what the road
would lose if it reduced all commu-
tation rates to the minimum on the
main lines. Mr. Smith was unable to
answer the question.
A large number of other questions
of a similar nature were asked.
Mr. Smith in one of his answers
said that no railroad could live and
carry passenger for one-quarter cent
a mile.
E. M. Yeomans of Andover felt that
an adjustment of the rates would
drive people out of the country.
Moore Voices Opinion.
E. Allen Moore of New Britain
didn't think q horizontal rate for
communication in all parts of the state
would work He pointed out where
the expenses would be heavier in GER
tain sections.
Mr.. Spock said that the interstate
commerce commission held that a
shipper of one barrel of freight should
receive the same rate as the man
10000 a week If it was
in one instance, why
wasn't it discriminatory that a man
travelling once month should pay
higher rate than the one travelling
four or five times a week. He main
tanned that the road had to curtail
its service or go under The ques-
tlon of rates was one for the utilities
The road had got to get
revenue, in order to meet the i'm
provements demanded by the public.
Public Not Responsible. -
M. j. Connors of Enfield didn't be-