South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-26
Governor to Send Message to
Legislature Urging Bill EN-
towering Roads to Charge
q Cents a Mile.
n EDIANA'8 SO TM
| GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FROM THE NEWS-TIMES
III INDIANAPOLIS BUREAU


Ralston today was TO send a special
message TO the legislature in which
he took stand in favor Of passing
legislation 10 give the public service
commission of Indiana authority to
increase the passenger fares Of rail-
roads in Indiana to two and one-half
cents mile whenever IL was shown
that such action was necessary for
the railroads to earn a sufficient re-
turn on the investments in them.
If a letter addressed TO the mem
bers Of the Central Electric Railway
association, in session here Thurs
day, Gov. RalstOn announced his in
tentiOn To recommend TO the legisla-
ture that the public service commits
siOE be empowered 10 authorize an
decrease Of not 10 exceed one-half
2Dt mile in passenger rates in the
state
The governor was to address the
association but was unable To be pres
ent. His letter read in part as fol-
lows:
Both as a citizen and as an official,
/ am greatly interested in the bust
ness in which you are engaged The
work Of the common carrier has
grown to such proportions in this
country and is so intimately associat-
ed with the cOuntrys welfare. that
when IL ceases 10 be profitable the
injurious effects are Immediately ap-
parent For the last few years il
has been the contention of the rail
road and interurban interests of the
cOUntry-especially in Indiana-that
the passenger fares allowed by law
are not sufficient to cover the eX-
penses incurred in passenger traffic.
This point has been pressed with
much vigOr upon the public mind
and at this time there is a bill pend
ing before the legislature of Indiana
proposing TO fix passenger fares at
two and One-half cents a mile.
Must supply Good Service.
con all hands IL is agreed that all
railroads and interurbans are expect
ed to furnish the best service posi-
bic in consideration of the charges
they are permitted 10 make therefor.
Generally speaking, there is no COM
plant ON the part Of the public of
the character of service furnished,
but il is the contention by these com
panies that their passenger traffic is
losing them money. If this be true.
il is not as il should be. So long as
the public demands a high grade of
service it should be willing To make
that service possible on the basis OF
"A reasonable profit to those furnish
ing the service; and broadly speak
ing. this should he done.
The difficult question is, however,
What are the facts? Does the serv-
ice rendered the travelling public
make it impossible for the railroads
and interurbans To realize a reason
able profit? IL the eXparte state
ments OF the railroads and interur-
bans can be taken as the truth this
question must be answered in the af-
hrmative / believe IT is conceded
that the increase in passenger fares
sought by these roads would yield
them in Indiana approximately $780,
600 year.
Large sum of Money.
This is a large sum OF money: too
large. 7 think YOU viii agree with me,
for representatives of the people to
authorize the railroads 10 collect
from the people on the ex parte state
ment OF the interested party. 1 am
not insinuatinE that this eX parte
statement is or would be erroneous,
but ! believe that the question it seeks
10 influence favorable action upon is
Of such vast Importance to the pub
lie. that no official either in an execu-
tive or representative capacity would
be warranted in acting favOrably upon
IL without hearing from both of the
Interested parties. II would be diff
cult. If not impossible. for the pres
ent legislature at this late day. with
all the other work demanding its at
tentionn. TO take up this important
subject and give IL a thorough inves-
LEGATION ana come TO an equitable
conclusion.
Personally I am friendly TO these
great properties. and / know the peO-
pie CT Indiana are. ] want them to
receive a fair profit for their service
and TO succeed; but this should be
done on a basis that Will be fair, so
far as il is possible 10 arrive at such
basis, 10 both the roads and the
public
Empower service Commissions.
with this idea i'm view, il is my
intention TO recommend TO the legis-
lature thst e empower the public
service commission of Indiana 10 au-
thorize an increase in the passenger
fares in this state not 90 exceed one
half cent a mile. The commission
should. of course. make an inVesti-
cation Of the conditions of any road.
upon its filling "a petition with the
commission. asking FOR an increase of
fares This petition should contain
such facts as would warrant such in
crease and as may be required 10 be
set forth therein, under a rule OF tho
commission; and il may be the show
ing made by some roads i'm support
of their petitions viii be SO conclu-
sive OF the question at issue, although
eN parte. that bat little additional
evidence viii be required by the COM
mission. This course. IL appears TO
me. considering the circumstances of
the case. viii best promote an intel
hgent settlement of this difficult pub
lie question. one. too. in which all
the factors OF "a political nature OF
party advantage will disappear"
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