The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-04-02
INTERORBAN RAILROAD
ASKS FOR INCREASE
IN RATES

II. {. Dicke of Boise was business
visitor in the city Tuesday. Mr.
Dicke stated that Saturday the Idaho
traction Co. had filed with the public
utilities commission new schedule
OF passenger rates to become applic-
able, 1t approved by the commission.
TO the Caldwell to Boise interurban
INES. The commission has thirty
days IN which to act upon the appG
cation.
4he new schedule asks for an in
crease in the one-way rates from
"a cents to cents per mile. and
from IA cents to pa cents per mile
on the round trip rates. The increase
requested on Communication rates is
from IA cents to IA cents per mile
and on school rates from | cent To
IA cents per mile.
his rate would case an increase on
one-way ticket between Caldwell
and Boise from rs cents to IS cents
and on round trip ticket from 81 rs
to $l.4S-still being IS cents lower
than the Short Lines round trip rate
OF $l.8O between Boise and Caldwell
Why Increase is Necessary.
Inc reason assigned for the re-
queSted increase is the claim that
the road has been losing money each
year, not being able to earn even
suhcient to pay interest on the cos,
OF constructing the road.
1t IS claimed by the railway man
agement that the increase requested
wall still not produce revenue sufh-
clent to pay a reasonable return nm
on the actual investment under pres
ent conditions, but it is believed that
when business conditions revive the
increased rates will net sufficient to
approximate an even break.
In an interview, Mr.. Dicke. the
general manager of ahe Traction
company, stated that the companys
financial condition was not due 70
the present financial stringencv. hut
that the operation of the local rail-
way lines had not even paid the bond
interest on the actual investment for
any one year during the entire history
OF the old companies.
Mr.. Dicke further said: Whatever
may be the history of financing the
construction of the local railway
hnes. and their subsequent purchase
by other interests has no bearing on
our application before the utilities
commission at this time. These bonds
are now being wiped out by fore
closure proceedings In the federal
court. All that we ask is that an
appraisal of the railway property he
made as 1t stands today, and thar
we be allowed to earn a fair and
reasonable return upon that appraised
value. We must be able to do this
IN ORDER to finance our future addi-
tons and betterments to the prom
erty, and possible extensions of orr
lines. Unless we can show that we
are earning fair return upon the
present actual value of the property
we cannot nope to interest or even
tai" apr
Asked if the light and power prom
critics were involved in any manner
IN this request for increased rates.
MT Dicke said; mo, our application
tor increased rates applies to the
traction lines only, and in consider
ing the reaSonableness of our appli-
cation, the commission will take into
consideration only the value of the
actual railway property"
~ Commission Perplexed.
The commission is considerably
perplexed as to its ability to reach
an equitable decision on the appIica-
ton. The governor disapproyed its
appropriation for engineering assist.
asnce. So far as the commission can
learn, therefore, it has no alterna-
tive but to accept the traction com
panys statement regarding its ply
We must have the physical valua-
ton if we are to properly comnnta
the equitable rates" said Commis-
sloner Freehafer. AS it is now we
must apparently either accept the
companys appraSement or reject il
without making check"