Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-06-26
FERRY
Bath-Woolwich Told To
Get Onto Job
Public Utilities Denies Proposed
Schedule Of Fares and Sets Figures
to Be FolIowed-Advee and suo-
gestions to Better the Service

The Public Utilities Commission on
Tuesday rendered a decision decla--
ing that the increased rates proposedy
by the Peoples Ferry Co., which op-
crates ferry between Bath and
Woolwich, in its schedule No. 2 fl
ed with this commission June 4. 1919
are not reasonable and necessary, anl
that the schedule as filed, be not put
into effect.
The order issued by the commission
authorizes the Peoples Ferry ca. 70
file, effective on one days notice. Il
schedule of rates cont ,'i.ins rates not
in excess of those published in its
schedule No. for service rcnderc1
between the hours Of o'clock in the
forenoon and o'clock in the aft>--
ICON. ard rates not in excess of tt Ase
published in its proposed schedule No.
, for service rendered between he
hours Of o'clock in the aftcrnc on,
and O'Clock in the forenoo
Tie rates now charged under Sched-
ule No. are as follows:
Single fare, five cents: one horse
team ticket good for round trip if
made the same day. 25 cents; one
horse team of hay. 35 cents; two
morse team of hay, so cents; one hack.
81 cents: oil team, 6, cents; automo-
mile. including driver. 30 cents; oxen
and driver, IS cents; extra yoke oxen.
Is cents; team tickets, five round
trips. return to be made the same
day, 81: automobile tickets, five round
trips, return to be made the same
day, 81; cow or horse, single trip, six
cents; foot tickets, six single trips, 20
cents; workmens tickets. IL single
trips So cents; high school, per
term, $3.50 grammar school, per
term, 81; primark school, $50: special
trips, after regular hours. IS; crew
called during the dinner hour for spe-
cial trip. $3.50: children, five years Of
age or under, with parents, no charge.
The rates proposed to be charged
under Schedule are as follows
Single fare. six cents; one horse
team. ticRet good for round trip if
made in the same day. 80 cents; one
horse team of hay, 80 cents; two
horse team Of hay, 40 cents: one hack,
40 cents: oil team. rs cents; automo-
bile, including driver so cents; oxen
and driver. 40 cents: extra yoke oxen.
20 cents; team tickets, five round trip,
return to be made the same day, s1.10;
automobile tickets. five round trip, re-
turn to be made the same day, $40;
cow or horse, single trip, 10 cents; foot
tickets, six single trips. 80 cents;
workmen's tickets. II single trips. 80
cents; high school, per term. $3.50;
grammar school, per term 50; pri-
mary school. per term. s1.50; special
trips. after regular hours So crew
called during dinner hour for special
children five years of age or under,
with parents. no charge.
The order of the commission also
states that the service, practices and
regulations of the Peoples Ferry CO.,
are inadequate, inefficient and un-
reasonable; that the Peoples Ferry
Co. continue its service until II
o'clock in the evening during the
months Of July, August and Septem-
Der of the current year. and during
June, July, Augusta and September
annually hereafter until otherwise or
dered; that the Peoples Ferry Co.
construct at some point reasonably
accessible to its boat q coal pockct,
shed or other receptacle capable #
storing coal sufficient for at least SIX
months use, the same to be complat-
ed by Sept. l, 1913, unless further
time is granted by this commission;
and that the Peoples Ferry co. i'm
mcdlately repair the slips and APP
proacheS to its boat SO as to remove
distractions and make passage on aud
off the same safe and convenient. the
same to be done to the approval of
the commission.
Regarding the efficiency Of service,
the decision Of the commission say:
Particular stress was laid on the
failure of the company to make suit
able provision 10 assure a supply of
coal. Its service during the past
winter has been seriously crippled
for lack of coal; and within few
weeks wood has had to be resorted
to, and on at least one occasion a di-
rector has had to secure small sup
ply to prevent immediate temporary
diScOntinuance Of service.
We appreciate the abnormal diff
ficulties which have existed, but up
to the day of the hearing no steps
appeared to have been taken to obvi-
ate a repetition Of these experiences.
At the hearing Mayor Drake an
nounced that he had secured a prom
Use from n reliable coal dealer for 800
tons for future use. 400 tons to be
provided at once. This would be
kept on the premises of the dealer
and delivered as required.
Fear was expressed that coal so
stored might be Communicated be-
fore delivery for ship yards If they
needed it. 1t was answered that it
might be SO taken wherever found.
and this is true. Yet, if it were ac-
tually segregated from other stocks
and in the possession Of the ferry
company there would be less Iikeli-
hood of this.
The fact is. the Peoples Ferry
Company, using thousands Of dollars
worth oil coal per year, has no place
provided for storing as :ruch as the
average large domestic consumer
uses. Ti.is is neither safe under
present conditions, nor economical
under any circumstances.
1T has land. on the wooiwich side,
where provision can be made at rea-
sonable expense for storing by the
cargo. and where 1t can be trans.