Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-31
ELECTRIC
ROAD FARES DECISION

Inc Public Utilities Commission
thursday afternoon rendered a decis-
ION on the complaint of H. O. Butler
ana others against the Lewiston, Au-
susta 4 Waterville Street Railway all
ieslhe That the through fare of 20 cents
from Lewiston to Mechanic Falls a dis
'ahce OF le.lS miles, was excessive, that
the location of the fare limits was un-
reasonable, lnconvenient and particu-
lariy that the fare limit should be at
Hacketts Mills instead of one limit
at each side of it and the further claim
mat there was not sufficient cars for
the service in the morning and in the
afternoon. This matter has for some
time been under consideration by the
commission.
The commissioners decided that there
was no evidence to satisfy them that
an electric railroad can carry passen-
gers FOR less than two cents a mile, and
therefore they could not order that
the through fare be reduced, except on
Worklngmen's tickets. The railroad
company has been issuing working
mems tickets for the through distance
from Lewiston to Mechanic Falls in
either direction at the rate of 60 for
81, these tickets to be used within 60
days from the date of sale. In the
decision rendered Thursday the COM
missioners order that IL tickets, to be
used in one week, "a tickets to be used
in two weeks, SO tickets to be used in
three weeks and as tickets to be used in
four weeks, shall be offered for sale at
the same proportionate rate as the so
tickets have been on sale
The commissioners also changed the
fare limit to Hackett's Mills, as asked
for in the petition. Hackett's Mills
is 1-2 miles from Lewiston and 3 "a
miles from Mechanic Falls. The fare
from Lewiston to Stevens Mills, the
first fare limit, will be five cents, from
Stevens Mills to the second fare limit,
will be five cents, from the second fare
limit to the third fare limit. Hackett
Mills, will be two cents and from
Hackett Mills 70 Mechanic Falls the
fare limit will be eight cents.
The commissioners say in part in
their decision:
I'm arriving at our conclusion in this
case, we take into consideration the
fact that the present rate averages but
two cents per mile, 20 cents for 10
miles over a suburban line where the
short hauls are comparatively few.
This cannot he said to be worth more
than the service is worth.
"A reduction of one zone to Is cents,
which was suggested by the complain
ants would, unless the travel was great
ly increased, entail more than a loss
of 25 per cent, of the profit or return
on the investment. 1t would decrease
the gross income one fourth. In other
words. to grant the smallest reduction
suggested would reduce the return on
the RESPONDENTS investment to four
per cent.
This conclusion, we have said, IS
based on the assumption that the reduc-
ton would not be followed by greatly
increased volume of travel. The sourc-
es from which this line now draws It's
travel chiefly are that section lying In
the first. or Lewiston zone. and Me-
chanic Falls, the outer terminus of the
line. A reduction would not AFFECT the
trst zone because it would still be five
cents. While all will concede that 1t
would be a benefit to Mechanic Falls' II
is not probable that 1t would greatly
increase the travel. the present rate De-
ing very much less than that charged
over either Of the railroads connecting
that village with Auburn and Lewiston:
1--WE do not wish to be understood
nc committing ourselves to the PROPOSE
+ion that eight per cent is reasonable
re+urn on money invested in all pubic
,,+ilities. The character of the utility.
tho character and density of population
of the community in which 1t operates
and many other things must be taken
into consideration. What we 40 say
we repeat 1t so there may
he no Misunderstanding that eight
nor cont on the money actually invest
Gu ., Az ;s not an unreasonable return
when the service is furhisheo "' WV
cents a mile.