Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-01
RWicH BULLETIN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER I, 1917
TROLLEY FARES TO PUBLIC UTILITIES
Resolution Adopted Special Town Meeting Against AL legged Excessive Rates Inaugurated by Shore Line President Robert w. Perkins Makes Statement Voters Says Increase is Absolutely Necessary Insure In- terurban Transportation.

At a special town meeting held Fri H. Pettis presiding, the citizens of the town of Norwich passed a resolution protesting against the continuance of the recent increase in fares inaugural ed by the Shore Line Electric Railway company and directing the selectmen to take the matter before the public utilities commission for the purpose of obtaining a decision as to whether or not the rates are unreasonably high. Before the resolution was adopted Robert W. Perkins, president of the Shore Line Electric Railway company, made a statement to the meeting in which he said that it was not merely a matter of rates but whether the peo- pie will have transportation at all He characterized the condition of the street railways of the country as pitt full and said the tendency for the com ing year is for infinitely worse He said he was not present for the pur- pose of opposing any action that might be carried at the meeting but simply wished to make a statement of condi- tions as they are.
 Meeting Called to Order.
 There were about 125 present at the o'clock by First Selectman Casper K. Bailey. Hon. H. H. Pettis was the choice for chairman and after Town Clerk Charles s. Holbrook had read the call for the meeting Chairman Pettis asked if there were any resolutions to be presented.
 Joseph T. Tanning took the floor. This matter is serious business af- fair, said MT. Tanning. Perhaps all of us are not equally affected by the increase in the trolley rates. It is g matter of common belief and under standing that the rates are too high knowledge and belief. Everyone who patroniZes the lines knows that it isn't a Peasant burden that is placed on him when the fare is increased six or eight or ten cents to those who are obliged to do steady travelling.
 The Resolution Presented
 It is matter of belief that the rates are not reasonable and that in some cases they are oppressive. With these preliminary statements, 1 think I have paved the way for the resolution which l am going to offer. MT. Tanning then presented the following resolution:
 Whereas, The Shore Line Electric Railway company. which operates street car system in the town of Nor wich, has recently raised the rates and charges for passenger service in said town, so that such rates and upon those who ride on said company's cars, and said rates and charges are in many instances oppressive and be- yond the means of large numbers of people who are obliged to depend on said system for transportation; and
 Whereas, Said increase in rates and charges for service involving travel outside the limits of the city of Nor experience of the people to be un- necessary, and it is believed that the rates and charges so increased are un- reasonable in view of the circum-
 
 great majority of those whose occupa- tions, necessities and business make it imperative for them to travel by said system outside said city limits, and unreanosable. likewise, in view of the amount of capital invested by the street car company. and the quality of service rendered; now, therefore, be tt
 Resolved, That the town of Norwich does hereby protest against the con tinuance of the recent increase in rates and charges for passenger travel on the local street car lines; and it is considered that said rates and charges so increased are unreasonable and that the same should be reduced and limited to just and reasonable maximum. Resolved. That said town of Norwich does hereby determine to bring a writ ten petition to the public utilities com mission of the state of Connecticut, alleging that the rates and charges as herein complained of are unreasonable and the Selectmen are hereby directed to prepare said petition, or have the same prepared, and to present said petition to said commission, and to att tend with counsel any hearing which may be presented with reference to said matter, and they are authorized and ordered to do all things necessary to protGct the interests of this town in the protests and to make any dis bursements required to give effect to the action taken by this meeting. Statement by President Perkins. After the resolution had been read the chairman called for remarks. Rob ert ". Perkins. president of the Shore the floor MT. Perkins said he was not present to oppose any action that might be taken at the meeting. He said he believed that before votiEg on such an important matter as this the voters should know just what the question involves and what the condi- tions are. The street railway company, he said, has the right to advance their rates as they see fit, or as is necessary, and that the people if not satisfied have the right to bring the matter to the attention of the public utilities commission. This is a serious matter l he continued. 1t is not merely. a mat ter of rates but whether you will have transportation at all. The street rail- ways of the country are in pitiful condition, and this is partly due to government control. The street rail- ways in Massachusetts have been un der public utilities control for 42 years and practically every street railway company in Massachusetts is facing bankruptcy today.
 We carried in the past ten months our patrons at a loss of an average of three cents each. Tn other words at the same rate for the remainder of | the year, we will lose something like $400, GOO (this figure including a req sonable return on the imvoetment) The tendency for next year is infinitely worse.
 The service today is the result of conditions over which you nor I faSe no control. Operating expenses have risen until today they are monumentzf We are suffering from the high cost of living just as the individual The cities of Norwich and New London with one exception are the only cities in Connecticut which hax1 retained the five cent fare Mir. Per- kins spoke of increases on other roads | At.ao&,A3 h~>~--~-..