The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-23
Company To-day Seeks
Charter to Operate
as Rival to Trolley
System
FRONT ST. LINE
is PART OF PLAN
Score of Harrisburg Capitalists and
Politicians Ready to Begin at Once
Running JItney Vehicles Here and
in Steelton

A plan to introduce in Harrisburg
and Steelton an auto bus service to be
put into operation with fifty vehicles
within week after charter can be
obtained from the State, was announced
this morning by Charles c. Stroh. as
counsel for about two dozen capital
lists and politicians, mostly local men,
who propose to form company to be
known as the Jitney Transportation
Company.
Mr.. Stroh said that application for
q charter will be made TO the Secretary
of the Commonwealth late this after
noon and that meeting of the ineor-
porators will be held either tonight or
tomorrow for the purpose of organiz-
ing and electing officers. He said the
company will be prepared TO operate
with fifty buses within a few weeks
from date if the charter is approved
bv that time. While the charter ap-
pheation will specify the capital at
$4,000 it is understood to be the pur-
pose to increase the amount ultimate
ly to $4,000 or more.
Mr.. Stroh said that the names of
those who will appear in the papers as
the incorporators are: o. NJ. Copelin,
City Treasurer; Charles E. Covert, Au-
gustus Wildman, Alfrei H. Snavely
and Harry NJ. Barnes, all of Harrisburg.
and 1. W. Copelin, of Toledo, Ohio, a
brother of the Harrisburg City Treas.
urer, and Franklin Williamson. of Ian.
caster.
Market Square AS Terminal
In discussing the plan Mr.. Stroh said
it is proposed to make Market square
the terminal point for lines of auto or
jitney buses which will run up Front
street and return; up Second street and
return; up Third street and return: up
Sixth street and return; out Herr street
to a point on Allison Hill and return;
across the Mulberry street bridge and
Derry street and return, and cross
town line on Allison Hill 1t is intend.
ed TO make the fare 5 cents.
The buses, Mr.. Stroh said. will be
of several types. Some will carry
twelve passengers and other twenty
four. 1t is probable that some of the
ears will be doube-deekers with roof.
less second stories similar to the Fifth
avenue 'busses in New York City.
While the names of all those who
are backing the project are not vet
made public it is understood that most
OF them are Harrisburgers, including
men who are conspicuous in political
life of the city. 1t is understood also
that some of those who propose to back
the Jitney line are financially interest
ed In the Harrisburg Railways Com.
pany which operates the trolley system.
IN Harrisburg, despite the fact that the
new service will be in competition with
the trolley system.
The cars will cost about $500 each
and will be operated on a regular scba5.
ule from Market square where a term.
lnal station will be established. The
plan, as the lawyer outlined it, is TO
make stops at any places along the
various streets where passengers NAV
desire to get on or off.
May Get Charter in Five Weeks
Capitol Hill officials say it will take
under the laws relating to the grant.
ing OF charters to public utility com.
panies, at least five weeks before tho
charter can be issued if there is M
mitch. The fact that the application
for charter is to be made must he
advertised three weeks and il is then
formally fled in the State Department
1t is then sent to the Public Service
Commission, which requires two weeks
advertising, and the Commission then
takes its time to consider the applica-
tion after placing 1t on the calendar.
If the Commission approves the
charter, it Is sent back to the State
Department and thence to the Govern
or, who has the last say. If the Gov
ernor approves the application, it is re-
turned to the State Department, which
issues the charter of incorporation.
.t.& .