Arizona republican., 1918-09-22

Of roadway. either single or double | track, of which six miles was double track. The company had a capital stock of 32.000 900 bonded for sl,250,- 600. Mir. Mitchell admitted in answer to question by his own attorney that the property a present was worth not more than S300,000. The stock and bond. issue. he stated was largely a matter of bookkeeping, as all was owned by the Sherman family of Los Angeles, General NJ. H. Sherman and his wife and son.
 Built Hollywood Line.
 An interesting point brought out was that. while the company was per hitting the Grand avenue line to de- teriorate, 1t had constructed an eXten- sion on East Washington street, called the Hollywood line, from one and one half to two miles in length, and that the revenue from this line was not enough to pay the wages of one man to operate the car. The Hollywood line. it was stated. was built in 1912 un- der the subsidy of real estate pro- motors. Asked by one member of the commission if it would not have been better to have spent that money in the upkeep of the Grand avenue line i,
 
 of experience. it would, but that the Hollywood line was kept in operation because they felt it a legal obligation.
 Although the manager had testified that it was impossible to get material with which to repair the Grand ave- nue track. it was brought out that there was about 2.000 feet of non operating track in the city at present. about 1000 feet on South First avenue and 1000 feet on South Twelfth street. which has not been in operation for more than a year.
 Lost Double Track Case. Mir. Mitchell stated that it would be | physically impossible to get material to repair the Grand avenue line in time | for the state fair this year. It was | brought out that while the Grand ave nue line had not been highly profitable. it always had paid operating expenses and that it should be maintained for the future development of that part of the city.
 While the street railway officials stated that they felt that the paving eXactions of the city were a burden to the street railway company, the cor poration commission was not of the same opinion. A matter not generally known was brought out that in 1912 the corporation commission ordered the street railway company to double track the Washington street line from Seventh avenue to the capitol. The company contested the order and was beaten in the district court. carried it clear to the United States supreme court and there lost the decision. Later, on suggestion from the city in regard to paving. the order was not enforced. rather it was held over the company as sort of club.
 Fair Week Earnings Big.
 It was testified that the company last year earned a net revenue of more than $22,000 which was 100 per cent more than the net revenue of the pre- ceding year. The power costs the con- pany about sl,S00 per month. The earnings of the company last year were were per cent on s440.0O0.
 Thomas D. ShauGhnessy, member ot the state fair commission, was present to represent that body. After learning that there was no possibility of having service resumed on the Grand avenue line in time for the fair he stated that efforts were being made to have : service on the Santa Fe from the sta i tion to the fair entrance during tha' | week. The street railway companN officials testified that the average earnings of the Grand avenue line dur ing fair week was about S2,400, whicl was lost in the abandonment of tho line.
 In addition to service on the Santa fe, MT. Shaughnessy stated that i would be supplemented by busses an, automobiles.
 | After stating that the attitude of tn, commission was one of helpfulness il abnormal times and that the war in dustries board looked on street rail ways as essential industries, it wa! announced that the matter would b, taken under advisement, but that al order would probably be forthcomin: in a few days.