The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-03-16
No Higher Fares.

NO Hlgner Fares.
South Jersey commuters scored a dis
tinct victory Friday when the Board of
Public Utility Commissioners handed
down decision refusing to sanction the
proposed increases in passenger rates be-
tween points within the State of New
Jersey. The essence of the decision was
that the railroads had failed to sustain
the burden of proof in showing that the
proposed increases were Just and reason
able.
In lieu of a formal opinion, which will
be prepared later, the board gave out
the following brief statement:
'sThe statute of New Jersey provides
that when carrier increases it's existing
rates, the burden of proof to show that
the increase is just and reasonable is
upon the carrier. The duty of the board
is TO approve such increase only upon
being satisfied that the same is lust and
reasonable.
''This places the burden of proof upon
the company, and unless such burden is
sustained by the company and such
proof submitted as satisfies the board
that the increases are just and reason
able, its duty is to Withhold approval.
In this respect the proof falls
The lines principally affected by the
decision are the Pennsylvania, West
Jersey and Seashore and the Atlantic
City railroad, the latter being a subsid-
larry of the Philadelphia and Reading,
operating between Camden and Atlantic
City. Other railroads operating in the
northern part of the State also filed
traffics showing increased passenger
rates, but these were not made the sub
ject of a hearing; the other railroads per-
mitted their case to rest upon the argu-
ments presented in behalf of the Penn
sylvania and Reading systems.
All the proposed new rates were to 60
into effect in December, their operation
being suspended by order of the board.
This order expired last Wednesday and
then was extended for few days, the
statutory limitation placed upon the
board for continuing a suspension order.
For several weeks the board has been
holding almost daily meetings, wrestling
with the rate problem in anticipation of
a final decision last week. The an
nouncement late Friday afternoon fol- |
lowed another all-day session.
The decision of the New Jersey Com
mission creates an anomalous condition |
as regards railroad rates. The Interstate
Commerce Commission, although not
the increased tariffs, as they
interstate commerce, refused to |
grant an order of suspension, thereby |
permitting the new rates to become
effective.
The Pennsylvania Commission, deal |
ing with interstate rates in that com
monwealth, compromised by issuing an
order approving the increases in part.
Upon this decision a rehearing applica-
ton is pending.
The effect of Fridays decision is to |
maintain the present status as regards
rates in New Jersey. For ex-
ample the excursion rate between Tren-
ton and Philadelphia, which comes with
in the jurisdiction of the Interstate Com
is $1.70, while between Trenton
and Camden, a trip almost identical as
to distance, it is S140. To reach Phila-
delphia by the cheapest route many
will, therefore, continue to use
the Camden line.
The increases which aroused civic and |
other organizations throughout South |
Jersey, as well as many communities
which would be injuriously affected, per-
tanned principally to special forms of
tickets. 1t was proposed to abolish the
ordinary excursion ticket at reduced |
rate and to substitute therefor a round
trip ticket at double the single fare.
tickets, school tickets and 100
trip tickets were also to be abolished by
the railroads under the new tariffs.
The increases proposed in the northern
part of the State resulted principally |
from an adjustment of through rates de-
oiSHSu W hlCSO elc muir SupStdHUldl In /
creases which it was intended to put
into effect in southern New Jersey.
This was one phase of the controversy
on which the South Jersey commuters
banked strongly, their contention being
that the effect of the new tariffs would |
be to impose far greater proportionate
burden of railroad maintenance upon
communities than upon those
in the populous districts of North jersey.
The case throughout was fought Bit
terly. The railroads called expert wit
nesses to demonstrate that they were
not receiving fair returns from their
passenger traffic and that the rates
charged were inadequate.