South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-09-15
OUR POSITION ON JITNEYS
EXPLAINED.


have not changed a whit. The ordi-
nance before the council is inexcusa-
bic from every standpoint of prin-
ciple. IL either goes too far or il
does not go far enough. our COM
ment Sunday was for the jitney
hogs" that are out seeking a monOp-
oily; that brand OF hogs" represent
ed at the council meeting last week
TO ask protection during fair week,
and a jitney ordinance that would
tend to eliminate from the business
their weaker brethren.
notwithstanding that we have good
reason 20 believe that the gentleman
who appeared before the council as
the representative Of the jitney own
ers. came there almost directly from
a conference with one Of the street
railway company's attorneys, we are
frank to say that II there is to be a
jitney ordinance that will in any way
tend TO monopolize the business by
imposing a financial hardship upon
those least able to comply that hard
ship should be made so hard that none
Of them can comply, and thus let the
street railway company have the
whole thing.
our contention is that the street
railway company should be paying
the eople OF South Bend for its
monopoly Of the streets for street
railway purposes. either through a re-
duction of fares, or by "a percentage
of it's income. That right is funda-
mental, though impossible OF en-
forcement save through jitney or
some other similar competition. or by
appeal go the public service commits
sion. this due TO the popularity Of
our laws and the short sightedness Of
our ancestors-some of them still
very much alive.
The same should be required or
the iitney owner seeking a monopoly.
The city should take about four per
cent OF his income away from him,
and require him to see that the pub
lie is protected I'm every conceivable
manner We have mo sympathy with
him whatever from the moment he
enters the business on such a non
competitive basis as even a license
p fee of $50 secures To him. From the
moment that any man is financially
unable to pay $40 for a license. his
more fortunate brother should be re
quired to sell six tickets for quar-
ter, give transfers, or carry passen-
gers TO any part of the city. turn over
n portion Of that income to the city
for the privilege. and before getting
the permit prove a financial response
bility for all damages that may ac-
crue 10 anyone ON account of his OPP
erations under IT,
But We do not believe such a law
should be passed. or any other law
that calls for a license fee more than
nominal It might be we'll to list the
itneys by license. and make some
special provisions with regard TO driv-
ers. overlooking. ct cetera, but moth
ing can Zoe done along this line that
is not already on the statute books
md hence what's the use? Ii looks
10 us very much as though the ad-
ninistration. bent ON repubHcanizing
itself and 90 win back the approval
If it's once beloved organ. had decid-
ed 90 apply the entering wedge. and
loo its movement 60 pass a jitney ordi-
nance is better aware of the fact that
he demand for it comes from a clique
rather than "a majority OF the oper-
stors-than appears on the surface.
There is q strong probability that
the council viii pass the ordinance.
There are men i'm that body who voted
% make the street railway company "a
present OF the LasaUe st. bridge, and
there are others who. though they
rallied against such proceeding durinA
he campaign. are now quite as SUBJ
serlient We may have to wait e1d
see whether or not Mayor Keller win
veto it, but meanwhile let our post
tior be distinctly understood We are
against any jitney legislation thai ~ III
I'm any way tend 10 create mon 'poly
OF the business. or else we want me
legislation sufficiently strenuous that
IL will place it on exactly the same
foundation that the street railway
company should be made TO rest
even II IT puts the jitneys out of bust
ness entirely as "A compensation fol
their "hoggishness' whether in theii
own behalf or behalf of the Traction
interests. which it now appears prob
able. are back OF the move.
You sometimes have 10 kick a ''yel
low dog" 90 make IL realize that IL il
alive Eliminate the jitneys and We
VIII forthwith be ready 10 congratu
late the people upon rotten street cal
service which our city administration
and common council. by either beinl
duped or hypocriJical. will have ush
cred back for public enjoyment
----
GINA MnnS kING COTTON