Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-27
Let Richmond Pan Earcs That Arc Eair

Let Richmond Pay Fares That Are Fair
y ICH1IOND does not want something for
/ y nothing: it proposes to pay fair price
for what it receives. This principle applies
to its public service corporations just as
surely as to private companies or individuals
with whom it has business dealings. Truth
OF this being granted. the question arises:
Is the city paying Il fair price for the SER
vices performed by the Virginia Railway and
Power Company. upon which it depends for
local transportation? The railway company
says that it is not. The city has not yet made
answer Now the time is at hand when the
companys request for the privilege OF chars-
ing fat scent fare and disseminating the
haf-farc labor tickets must be met one way
or the other.
Reasonably it may he assumed tina: no one
will object to granting the increased fare if
il can be shown that the company has made
out its case on the basis OF income and cx-
penGiture. That its has been made out
there can be little doubt. The cold figures
aside conditions here no different from
tho'e in scores OF other cities whore in
creascs in local transportation rates have
been found necessary to the maintenance of
efficient service. AS in other cities, the local
company points to the increased cost OF
teral for upkecp and extensions, ranging
from 80 10 500 per cent; to increased cost of
OF dollars to its payroll. and to the increased
cost OF everything else that enters into its
rendering OF this public service. These facts
cannot be denied; ihey are of general knowl-
edge. On the other hand, the company points
TO its twenty year-od franchise under which
il is compelled to sell tickets six for quarter
and 10 carry school children and passengers
riding before o'clock in the morning for
= l-2 cents. The contrast seems TO supply
the answer 10 the companys query: lis ii
fair?"
This proposed fare increase now before
the City Council is merclySan incident in
the general street railway transportation
situation, cogrizance OF which has been taken
by President Wilson, Secretary McAdoo, the
Federal Reserve Board and the War Finance
Corporation. II is a situation made acute By
the war and tho people must face it
war duty. President Wilson has asked that
State and local authorities respond prompt
y 10 the necessities OF the situation,' reaiz-
ing that these utilities should be maintained
{; their maximum efficiency" McAdoo says:
our public service utilities are closely
united with and are al essential part Of our
preparations for war. and must not be per-
m.ttet 10 become weakened" He also sees
- any such Weakening decrease in earnings,
which means 2 lessening OF the amounts
wa!ch stockholders will invest in forthcom-
irg Issues o: Liberty bonds upon which the
w-r must be won Only By consenting TO pay
IN adequate price. based on increased costs,
cal such results be prevented and the gov
ac-E-en: Loyalty maintained
n the knowledge that practically every
co.lu-cl and every service necessary TO
modern existence has gone upward in price
py leaps and bounds, it can hardly be con
aldeEaa Ea.r 10 force the local traction COM
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