Norwich bulletin., 1916-10-18
Elliott Pleads for
 increased Rates
BEFORE MASSACHUSETTS, PUBLIC
 SERVICE COMMISSION
2s4 C. PASSENGER RATE
Declares New Haven Road Contem- plates Expenditure of $30,0oO,0oO for mprovements-Says Parcel Post is Causing Delay of Trains.

Boston, Oct. 17-An appeal for in creased passenger and freight rates for the New York; New Haven and Hartford Railroad was made by How ard Elliott, president of that road. be- fore the state public service commis- arithmetic,'' MT. Elliott said, that the New Haven cannot pay out millions more each year for labor and mater ia1S and have an adequate amount for betterments and improvements while the revenue. remains stationary.
 Passenger Fares 3-4 Gents.
 He suggested that local passenger fares be increased to 2 3-4 cents a mile and the mileage rate be increased to 1-2 cents mile from IA cents.
 The hearing was held as a result of a recent report of George w. Bishop chief inspector for the commission in which he stated that the passenger train service rendered by the New Ha- ven in Massachusetts was far from President Elliott, who presented the New Ravens side of the case, said in part:
 Money Being Spent for Improvements.
 AS all the money within the con- trol of the company is now being spent for improvements and payment of debts, additional revenue should be permitted by increasing the rates now charged for transporting passengers and freight, for the use of freight cars used as storage houses and for the carriage of mail and parcels post.
 Trying to Adjust Affairs.
 The various commissions, both state and national, have been investi- gating and analyzing New Haven af- fairs for a number of years and have criticized them. The management is trying to adjust it's affairs to meet the suggestions and criticisms. The time has come in the United States as a whole and particularly in New Eng land, which man yof us in the busi- ness world have been expecting, namely, when transportation is not sufficient for the needs of the coun- try. The reasons for this are nation wide and they are accentuated in New England by the peculiar conditions of the last five years.
 Asks for Constructive Policy.
 Has not the time come now for Massachusetts and it's commission to take a lead in a constructive and up- building policy toward all railroads, to help put them in first class condi- ton, in the interests of New England, which sadly needs better transporta- tion as well as in the interest of the unfortunate stockholders? To put LIIF4l III bSLLEi COIlu4LIOII IGCNtS 4Il1I- lions of dollars.
 The quickest and simplest way to obtain more revenue throughout New England is to permit an increase in the passenger rates. not only on the steam roads, but on the electric rail- roads The amount paid by each in dividual is small, but the aggregate sum will be large and will hasten the day when the railroads can finish the work of improvements.
 $3o,oo0,oo0 for Improvements.
 ''The New Haven contemplates the expenditure of 1000. 900 for improve ments as fast as the company can get the money, men and material. The management is aware of the made quacy of the passenger service and is anxious to remedy it as quickly as possible. Though trains are being equipped with heavier and better To- comotives and better equipment is thus being made available for use on the branch lines"
 Parcel Post Causing Delays.
 The parcels post business is largely responsible for delays to passenger trains, according to MT. Elliott, who said that the railroad was required by the government to load or unload all parcels post matter at each station and that New York trains were fre- quently delayed on this account.