New Britain herald., 1917-09-27
COUNCIL PROTESTS
INCREASE IN FARE
Decides to Ask Public Utilities
Commission for Hearing

General condemnation Of the Con.
necticut company was voiced at q
special meeting of the common coun.
vii held last night to register a protest
against the increase in trolley fare
which goes into effect next Monday
morning. Bitter denunciation of the
service given local patrons of the
company was heard, but the most Sc
we're was from representatives Of
wards In the north end OF the city.
Before adjournment, the following
resolution was adopted:
Be it resolved by the mayor
and common council Of the city
of New Britain as follows:
The City Of New Britain, a mu-
nicipal corporation within which
and between which and other
towns and cities in Hartford
county, the Connecticut company
is furnishing transportation serv-
Ice hereby petitions the Public
Utilities Commission of the state
Of Connecticut alleging that the
increase In the rates Of carfare
from present rates of five cents
to six cents to go into effect
October 1, 1917, Is unreasonable
and asking that the commission
fix time and place for a hearing
on this petition as provided by
law; also that the city clerk file
with said commission this petit
ton.
Road Losing Money, Mayor Says.
Alderman Curtis moved the adop-
ton of the resolution and no objection
was made to this course. Mayor
Quigley, from the floor, President
Pro Tenn Jester being in the chair,
stated that it would be advisable to
have the mayor, the corporation coun-
sci and the chairman of the railroad
committee appear before the Public
Utilities Commission to explain the
resolution and to add verbal protest
to that contained In the councils
communication. He said that, &C.
cording to figures of j. K. Punderford.
general manager Of the Connecticut
company, the road is losing half a.
million dollars and the increase in
fare Is absolutely necessary. He ex-
pressed the opinion that prospects for
improved service in New Britain are
not bright under the six cent fare,
despite the fact it is bad enough un-
der the present rate.
Alderman Paonessa led the attack
on service in the north end. He did
not believe New Britain was ever
treated fairly by the Connecticut COM
pany and said there had been no i'm
provement within ten years except for
the Myrtle street extension. The Con-
nect1cut company would not have
granted that concession, he said, but
for the fact 1t was fearful lest someone
else take the franchise. The wages of
an MI iY,f y; IT.
creased for a year and no extra cars
have been placed in commission with
in that period, he said. Therefore, he
could not understand why the expens-'
es of the company, as far as New Brit
ain is concerned, have increased.
New Britain Dumping Ground.
1--WE get all the old cars in the
state here Alderman Paonessa said.
New Britain Is the dumping ground
for Connecticut. We get all the cast
off cars from Hartford, Waterbury and
Bridgeport"
Alderman Curtis called attention to
the new pay-as-you-enter cars in
stalled on the line to Hartford He
said 1t was doubtful whether the Pub
lie Utilities commission would grant a
hearing on New Britain's protest for
have already taken steps to air their
grievances before the commission.
There have been no improvement
on the North End line for fifteen
years." Councilman McDonough said
eve get the same old twenty minute
service. Punderford has promised
improvements in New Britain but
without result. improvements have
been made in the Naugatuck Valley,
but none in New Britain"
Councilman McDonough charged
that there are millions Of dollars in
watered stock in the Connecticut COM
pany and said the comany has lost
nothing even though dividends have
not been forthcoming.
I'VE owe the Connecticut nothing
but contempt" Councilman Nc
Donough concluded.
Coucilnan Mueller called attention
to the fact that the resolution had al
ready been adopted and all the de-
bate was out of order.
The council voted to accept Lyon
street from Shuttle Meadow avenue to
Cam bridge street as public highway
and have sanitary sewer installed |
therein. It was also voted to pay
SS25,O7 due Baker & Lasher.