Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-06-06
MORE EQUIPMENT
FOR TRACTION CO.
Will Ask War Finance Corpora
ton to Assist Local
Project.

Thomas w Wilson, vice-president and
general manager Of the Wilmington d
Philadelphia Traction Co, il was learne
today. expects to 90 30 Washington and
apply to the War Finance Corporation
for loan to assist IN the installation OF
two new boilers and also for the installa-
tion of rotary converter, for the com
panys plant, as recommended by the
expert Of the Public Utilities Commis-
sion
The directors Of the War Finance Cor
poration on Nav % issued the following
statement.
"The directors of the War Finance
Corporation have under consideration
applications from many public service
corporations doing business IN various
sections Of the country, for loans agRregat-
Ing a large amount
The directors of the War Finance
Corporation do not feel that they have
any authority under the law % make
loans except upon adequate security as
required bv the act. and they are con
vinced that the inability Of a utility com
pany % earn sum at least sufhctent ~
paw its fixed charges, taxes, maintenance
and repairs, ia conclusive evidence of the
inadequacy of its own obligation as
security The directors of the corpora
tion feel TINT the localities served ny
these various public utility enterprises,
should not expect the War Finance Cor-
ppratlon to make advances 10 any uuhty
company whose statement shows that ~
Is in actual need Of increased revenue
H. Is a matter for the local authorities 70
determine whether or not an increase IN
rites. sufficient 90 maintain the enter
eba4tII Ha nrgnfp1
II il urged, therefore. that the proper
authorities give prompt consideration to
applications made by public utilities tor
permission toancrease rates, in order that
the directors Of the War Finance Cor
poration may know, when applications
for loans arc presented hy public utility
corporations. whether or not they viii oe
able to give adequate security.
FARE INCREASE ACTUALLY SMALL.
Sfr Wilson, today. in discussing the
fare increase, SAID he was glad tho Public
T.tiltics commission had secn the justice
Of relieving company which vas dairy
running behind and in a starving con
dltton he snid that while the comns-
son had not awarded the company
what II asked for, vet the company would
Of course. comply strictly with The com
MISSION orders. and that the increased
revenues which such orders produced
would bc devoted to paying the increased
wages ~ lts employees and such over
hauling and repairs If its cars, equip
ment and road-teds including the co-
operation with CITY officials IN repavIng
sfrosts. as such increased revenues would
permit
Mr. Wilson stated that these varions
matters would he taken up rapidly
as possible but that owing 70 present
abnormal conditions he was afraid there
would hc some DELAY IN securing the
delivery Of materials necessary to I'M
prove existing conditions
lie stated that for some time SIX cars
have hccn IN the barn here in Whining
ton but he has been unable 70 put them
IN service. because Of the ImpOSsibIiIty
Of securing the wheels and motor parts,
which were ordered long ago
Mr. Wilson said also that the rate
allowed hv the commission. with the
strip tickets at SIX and one-quarter cents,
would average very little over that sum,
and including free transfers, would aver
age less than FIVE and one-half cents per
ride per passenger.
Alr Wilson also took occasion to deny
most emphaucally that the recent strike
Of the trainmen of the company was
arranged or instigated by the officials OF
the company. or any of them. lie stated
that he, together with the other officials
OF the company, had used every effort TO
prevent the strike, and when it finally
came he and the other officials of the
company were taken absolutely by sur
prise. and it seemed to him to be the
last possible straw on the burden OF
troubles that he had been carrying. Tie
said he was surprised that such a rIdi-
cuIous r,lmor could have been started, or
that It should have received any credence
whatever
Why INCREASE WAS ALLOWED
The utility board allowed the fare IN
crease. President Richard { McMullen
said today, when asked about the matter,
because the report of its expert engineer
showed that il was necessary 10 keep the
plant in operation and serve the public.
The order was SO made, however, that it
can be amended or revoked at the end
of any month 1t will be continued, Mr.
McMullen said, only as long as it IS
considered necessary He explained that
the board would have made a six-cent
fare had il not been for the new demands
made by the men during the recent
strike.
InfrSrNE INEnDNtATtnN