Evening journal., 1918-06-04
SEVEN-CENT Fare
allowed BY BOARD
lConlInued From FIrsl Page.l

(CCntlnued FROM FIRST fdSe)
on the proposed increase in fare TO
seven cents. under the stipulations set
forth.
The decision reached by the commits
sioners followed an afternoon OF delib-
Grafton on the suggestions and recon-
mendations made by Engineer A. j..
Manson. which suggestions, when ap-
piled TO the traction cOmpany's opera
tion, may result in economies sufficient
to permit the company TO operate
without a loss. Among the numerous
recommendations made by the engineer
in his report most Of which were pub
lished In this paper OF yesterday, that
OF rerouting the Market street cars was
most seriously considered. The fact
that nearly every line runs either on or
through Market street was shown TO be
one Of the chief factors in retarding the
trolley service on the mile-per-hour
basis. The delays in cars on Market
street. which in the case Of the Della
ware avenue cars, was shown to re-
suit in a loss Of 20 out Of 81 minutes,
brings about a smaller number Of runs,
causing not only a loss in revenue. but
a reduction in efficiency. BY rerouting
Market street so as. perhaps. to have
but one way traflc, the Utilities Board
was told by Engineer Manson that
traffic may so be speeded up as to in
crease the company's efficiency as well
as its revenues and thus make 1t pos
sible for it to operate without a loss.
Another matter suggested by the en-
gineer and considered at yesterday af-
ternOOn's session was the lessening OF
the number Of stops. which, OF course
would not be applied to Market street
or other shipping centres. II was
agreed by the commission, however,
that at present the cars stop too many
times and that through some syste-
matte arrangement the public could
so be educated to the necessity Of max
ing less stops as to make II possible
to REDUCED the operating expenses OF
the company. The traction company
showed that in some OF its Out-of-town
lines running north. people insist that
the cars In front OF their gateways
despite the fact that there is another
stop within fifty feet OF that point.
Such stops and numerous others,
which could be eliminated, were urged
to be cut out. The engineer suggested
that a white post be placed wherever
there IS TO be a stop. and at some places
several stops could well be console
dated into one without inconveniencing
the public.
The idea Of increasing the charge for
freight from suburbs received some
consideration. The cutting on OF all
tracks from Front and Market streets
to the Pennsylvania station for econ
omy's sake was also considered.
During the discussion some OF the
commissioners made the point that the
traction company was suffering from
its past actions in that IL was over
bonded due TO many changes In operat-
ing control BY various companies; ana
that II no increase is granted the com
pany would undoubtedly drift into re-
ceivers' hands OF have to be taken over
by the government. Rather than per
nit this to happen the commission de-
cIded that an increase should be grant
ed only as a temporary remedy anc
the commission should be on guarc
to restore the old rates II suihcien'
profts are shown. The commission
also intends TO apply the same ruling
TO any other public service corporation
that might apply for increased rates
The strip ticket plan was suggested
by C. d. Garretson. He cOntended thai
since the amount Of revenue that can
be secured through the increase from
five cents upward Is all a matter OF
conjecture, that the commission may as
well try out the strip ticket plan and
see how It works General Manager
Wilson proposed the fifteen tickets for
one dollar plan as one which would
prove the most successful.
The question OF the lot OF old cars
now stored at Front and Union streets
came up and the members Of the com
mission wanted to know whether the
company is not paying interest on
bonds which were issued for the pur-
chase Of those cars, now altogether
obsolete.
Richard C. McNiullen, president Of
the Board OF Public Utilities Commis-
sion, said that II would be a good Idea
10 sell those cars while the price Of
Junk was high. Mr.. Wilson, however,
insisted that those cars are still val
liable property, as long as they can be
used for carry passengers and as long
as they are still a part OF the COM
pany's belongings.
City Solicitor Bayard was called in
consultation and approved Of the legal
ity Of the commissions proposed limi-
tations on the company. He Will incOr
porate In legal form the suggestions OF
the commission and present It for their
vote tomorrow as a formal order Of the
commission.