Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-07
Tho New "Jitney" Problems.

AcCl JULIET IidHSpoI Ioliou oOASACC'
and COT more importance to the gen.
, eral public) how will affect values 1e
real estate? are some of the ques-
tions.
1.-THE Jitney from the Community
Standpoint; it's origin and reason
for being; how it operates; present
effect; probable future; and a COM
plete survey of the community's in
terest in this new transportation
scheme, is covered by an exhaustive
report of special transportation
committee which has just been ap
proved by the board of directors o.
the Oakland (Cal.) Chamber Of Com
merce and Commercial Club Con-
solidated This committee, Of which
Stephen E. kieffer, consulting engi-
neer is chairman, made inquiries and
an investigation throughout all the
principal cities in the United States.
The report is based upon that inves-
tigation.
The investigation was undertaken
because it was believed that the
dominant party at interest In any
change of transportation units is the
community, and that is covered by
the opening paragraphs in which the
committee says: I'm all Of the con-
troversies and hearings over the jit-
ney bus problem thus far, in the press
and before legislative bodies, the
positions taken and the views ex-
pressed have very naturally been
those Of the interested parties from
their immediate viewpoint--on the
part of the street railways to protect
their income and investment: on the
part of the jitney owners to establish
business; and on the part Of the
travelling public to consult only its
own temporary fancy, prejudices D:
convenience''
In another paragraph the commit
tee asks: Have we now reached the
point where the electric trolley car is
to be rendered obsolete and be super
ceded by the independently owned
: and operated small transportation
unit travelling on rubber and air. and
this scientific advance in urban
transportation, and an economic ne
'cessity demanded by the people? Will
it result in still further increasing
traffic range and the economic resi-
dence limit from the business centers,
or If not extending these limits will it
add to the speed, comfort or safety Of
the service within the present
limits?"
1t is quite conclusive that if the
: motor bus comes to stay, 1t will not
be in the shape Of the present jitney,
and if the motor bus is to be the
transportation unit of the future, it
will supersede the electric car be-
!. cause it is economically right, and in
doing so, it would justify the replace
ment Of the present investments by
enhancing the property values of the
community.
This is the keynote from the stand
3 point Of the report. Will the jitney
;. relieve congestion in apartment o.
: tenement sections in the way that
every city in America is striving to
solve that problem, or will 1t only ag-
{ gravate and increase the present
: difficulties? If it does not, what will!
3 become Of the values beyond the 2A
! mile limit which the committee finds
to be the ultimate range Of service Of
the jitneys? If the jitney weakens
the present transportation systems
which draw the support for un-
profitable lines serving the outlying
districts from the section where traf-
/, fic Is densest, what does it mean to
the property owner and the home
. owner in the suburbs of Oakland, and
: the American city?
= Extended investigations of the
committee showed them that the
average jitney travels 1877 miles PEI
Z, day with a car mile income Of 5Hs
f cents. Considering depreciation ami
. cost of operation and allowing 50 t.
the driver, it was found that even the
smallest jitney could not run fo-
: less than cents per mile. This
emphasizes the fact that most drivers
: are living at the expense of their auto
: bus and on their capital rather than
g on their income.
Z During the rush hour from S to i
!. P. NJ, the average number Of passen-
> gers transported in the scent limit
. from the business center Of Oakland
; "a length Of blocks on Broadway
=. is 113,30O. Approximately 10 jitneys
a would be required to give the same
= carrying capacity as one street car,
Z In Oakland, to handle the above traf-