Evening journal., 1918-06-11
MR.. wilson Tells OF
Fare increase TALK
LContInued From FIrsL Pase.

NlunNlnutu flNH illoh fhhNsI
ing the trolley road on the Pike be-
tween Chester and Darby.
During the interview Mr.. Taylor
asked concerning the situation IN VII
mngton. lie said that Il was not a
question Of convenience. but Of neces-
sity: that the cars In Wilmington must
run. and that II was too bad that
had 10 be speeding my time In litigation
instead OF endeavoring 10 give the com
munily proper service.
He said the government would not
permit any interference, and would In
sist upon continuous and adequate car
service which IS required for the trans
portatlon OF shlpyard employees.
Mr. Taylor inquired II the parties In
interest could not be brought together
in reaching a fair solution Of the diff
ferences which menaced the s4tlsfao-
tory operation Of the railway. Ho ex-
pressed an entire willingness TO be
helpful IN any way possible. TO secure
any ARRANGEMENT which would assure
continuous and adequate street car ser
vice for the shlpyards' employees. Mr..
Taylor asked me whether / thought
the company could get along on a six
cent fare. | told him l did not think
so. In view OF the big wage Increase
demand that had been made by the
men and acceded 10 by the company
Mr.. Taylor then suggested that 10 might
be wise to try out a six-cent fare.
upon my return 20 Wilmington and
the chance meeting with Mr.. Davis, 7
told him I was willing. on behalf OF
the traction company. 10 accept Mr..
Taylor's suggestion for a conference,
but after a talk with our counsel.
Ward Gray and Neary, In which they
advised me that, as the matter had been
taken into court. 70 would be necessary
for the court 10 pass upon the contro-
very upon the facts and figures there
presented, ] advised Mr.. Davis that II
was useless 10 have such a conference.
Mr.. Wilson further stated that he
personally would have been glad 10
have had such a conference with Mr.
Taylor, as he is convinced that Mr.. Tay-
lor would have realized that the order
OF the Utilities Board, as II now stands
merely would provide sufficient revenue
70 pay the increased wages Of the EN-
ployes and provide the necessary pub
lio service.
Mr.. Harman in his bill flled in to-
Court Of Chancery applying for an or
der restraining the charging Of seven
cent fares also alleged:
That the said seyen-cent fare Is a
unreasonable and extortionate fare, nc
calculated upon the interest charges
depreciation Of rolling stock. receipt
and general operating expenses OF sal
Wilmington & Philadelphia Tractio
Co. as based upon an honest capitalizl
ton Of the stock OF said company, an
an honest appraisement OF the physic
valuation Of the plant Of said Wilmin
. ton & Philadelphia Traction Co.; bl
that the granting OF said seven-ce
fare was based upon a highly ''wateret
and. therefore fictitious valuation an
capitalization OF stock Of said corpor
. tion.
That the said Board Of Public Util
p ties Commissioners had, and before N
time said increased fare 20 cents ps
passenger was by order granted we
knew, and the chairman or said boar
has so admitted. that the stock Of sal
Wilmington and Philadelphia Tractio
Company was highly waiered.
u IlHf Inc rNlu MlllHAnHiN uNI illAAn
delphia Traction Company has issued
and there Is now outstanding In IN
possession OF the stockholders Of sais
/ cooperation. very large amount o.
common stock Of said corporation, ane
said common stock is unpaid for; anc
which. II paid for. would, for i've ol
six years 10 come. equal, II not exceed
the increased fare allowed said VIII
mington and Philadelphia Traction
Company.
That the Board Of Public Utilities
/ C Commissioners In engaging an expert 10
get certain information relative to the
traction company did not employ an ex-
pert in "nowise interested in or with
/ the corporation, but employed a repre-
sentative Of the Westinghouse company
from which corporation the traction
company buys supplies.
That az the time The fare increase
order was granted. Clarence r. Holl
was not a legally qualified member OF
the Utilities Board
That the Utilities Board did not give
due and proper notice to the public oi
the meeting at which the fare increase
was granted.
That the Utilities Board made the
fare increase order operative at once