Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-07-13
the Trolley Fare Decision

We think the public in general will agree to the reasonableness
Of the decision of the Public Utility Commission in the trolley fare
matter. There is, perhaps, some excuse for charging one cent Tor
tansfers-as much excuse as there is for any alteration or adj
justment in the operation of the trolley lines. considering the service
we are getting. But even in this the Public Service is putting some
thing over on the people.
Here in Perth Amboy, for instance, we used to have cars pass
ing through the city from one end of the line to the other without a
change. This was in accordance with the franchise OF the trolley
company and the Public Service knew what was expected of 1t when
itbought the Rartan Traction Company.
IS Suddenly the Public Service decided to discontinue the ars rum
ming through the city and fixed the corner of State and Smith streets
been accustomed to riding from any point on otate slreet 70 ay
point ON Smith street without changing cars, to transfer a. that cor
nr. Sometimes the wait for another ear was long and tedious, often
in the rain. Yet the city, apparently, had no redress. The only salts
faction we got was that we were given a transfer for the continuation
But now with the one cent charge for transfers, it is going to
cost six cents to ride from State street out Smith street. T wee
versa. This is entirely contrary to the franchise granted by the city
and was put across in the typical high handed manner OF a highway.
man. 1t is because of this absolute Indifference to the rights OF
municipalities in the past that the Public Service finds SO little SYM
pathy on the part of the public today.
more satisfactory than we had anticipated. 1t must be a hard blow to
the Public Service. The corporation has been s. used TO having
everything it wanted that it has become the spoiled child of New
Jersey. TO be denied that which it wanted most IS leSe majesty IN
The statement by the utility board that the stockholders of the
Public Service must bear their share of the burdens caused by the
re~erye in order to pay dividends, will meet with the greatest APP
prosni Of the PaDhe. ...ona b.. ,.on H. roIev 81 this en
Germ from the start. 1t is now caught red handed. With a few ex-
eeptions business in general is passing up dividends, and profits are
enterprises r simply swallowing their losses and are satisfied as long
however seems to think that its dividends should go on the same as in
ordinary times and when the expenses pile up due to the war, its
policy is to "soak" the public that much more to make up the dehel
eney so that the stockholders will not feel any effects whatever.
The Public Utility Commission has told the Public Service that
it cannot get away with it. Let Public Service do away withfit
dividends during the period of the war, if necessary. Other concerns
are doing so. At least the public should not be bled to make up the
difference.
There is no doubt that the zonng system is the only fair method
Of charging trolley fares. Anyone can understand that the man who
rides ten miles should pay more than the man who rides a half a mile.
While this zoning idea will upset some Of the franchises and will hit
hard many communities built up within a five cent fare of a city, 1t
-a4@the one fair way of adjusting matters, and the problem
win not be settled until such q step is taken
In the meantime we viii continue to ride n the trolley for five
cents, as is right and proper, paying a tax of one cent extra for a
transfer should our ride require getting out of one ear and into an
other. This is quite different from the nine cents that the Public Ser
vice requested.
Yes, truly. the people have actually won a victory over the great
est corporation in the state, and one of the greatest In the country.