Evening journal., 1918-06-07
council STIRRED
over FARE Raise
1conflnued From First Paeel

absent. they being Couneilmen Kane
Ward and McDonough but 1t was stated
on the foor OF Council that these men
were willing 10 go as far as the other
members OF Council In opposing the
proposed increase in trolley fares TO
seven cents,
During the discussion Councilman
Robertson stated that the Public Utili-
ties Commission had no right to grant
even a one cent fare increase, as the
charter Of the Wilmington City Railway
Company stated that lve-cent fare
should be charged
p. NJ Davis, president Of the Voters
Partisan League who had read
lengthy letter on the subject, stated
that he had been Informed yesterday
that a man was willing TO purchase the
system without the watered stock and
that he would equip il with new cars
and charge but fve-cent fare. Davis
stated that court action would be taken
today IN the matter. The letter was
read and ordered 0led, and in part said
is City Council going to continue
to stand for this Ufility Commission :
VIII II continue 90 appropriate funds
to pay the members for attending meet
ings. when the wishes Of the people
are always ruled against and the wishes
Of the Traction Company Obeyed as n |
by a sacred or magic touch ? What /
does City Council intend TO do7 How
do the constituents Of the thirteen
stand2 Are their wishes 70
be respected as the electorate, or are
their wishes 10 be relegated TO the ash
heap because a commission, paid out
" funds taxed the people. refused to
lear the voice OF Wilmington
.1fe Voters Non-p Partisan League
Intends 10 fight. this case on behalf OF
ne people. and we viii not be satisfied
lntil we have gained q victory. Are we
o have the moral support Of City
,ouncil2 Is City Council TO refer this
10 the committee Of the
Whole and forget that u is In reality
he representative OF the people7'
"The Non-Psrtisan League suggests
nat the finance committee Of City
ouncil refuse 10 approve the bills Of
le Utility Commission until such time
possesses the right 10 rep
ssent corporate greed instead Of the !.
iizens and taxpayers OF the commu- J
iNllowing the reading Of the letter ,
Ir. Robertson said. six months ago
n this very floor 7 received little sup
ort when | condemned this. same com
any. and I want 10 say now that II
se had two men with courage equal to
heir wealth m this city they could do
that would be benent,
gree with the writers Of this letter,
,ut the matter is not up TO City Coun-
Az the commissioners are appointed
~ the Mayor, subject. Of course. to
by this body. This Coun-
III had nothing 10 do with the confirm
ng Of tho present commission, but we
nay have something 10 do with the
OF the new members.
u have attended the sessions OF the
Utilities Board and IL ls a farce Every
hing is cut and dried; the whole affair
Is dyed IN the wool. II Is like a county |
fair The members resemble Marion
ettes The string Is pulled and they
lance while the people pay the price
and the public suffers"
Mr.. Robertson referred 10 the state
ment made al the meeting OF tie Pub
ic Utilities Commission on Wednesday
by James O'Kane, who stated that rails
we're not needed on Market street for
he cars. that they could float on the
vatered stock Of the company. AS
! member OF this Council, I stand
where did when this company raised
Is lieht rates.. Robertson said. "and !
m now glad that this attack has been
lsde against This 0ctupus, and } ami
aek OF these men and organizations,
ouncilman Cathcart shouted: You
IN count on me, too" Councilman
arlington spoke Of the expert who
me here and Inspected the lines but
ho had not ridden on the cars during /
O rush hours Of the morning, when
2 workers were going 10 their work.
also charged that motormen on the
y-as-you-enler cars In the morning
owed people 90 enter the front door
the cars and collected the fares,
a vel when a request was made for
difional cars on these crowded lines,
was stated that irafllo did not war
nj it.
Colonel Stover was granted permis-
] Il
had lot 10 do with the question
at as a Council they could examine
e acts of any official, and when the
warranted IT. they could
ok them out Of their offices by two
irds vote OF Council. Il don't sug-
st this treatment. but merely point |
II what you can do under the law,
said I'LL
William r. Seward. president OF the
ntral Labor Union, was granted the
ivilege OF the floor. and said he rep
sented ten thousand working men OF
Is city He said that some time ago
!. Wilson, Of the traction company,
peared before the Central Labor
lion and stated that It would be nee
5ary TO increase the fares one cent
his was agreed to. providing they
,uld give us better service" said Mr..
ward. Now the Utilities Board has n
anted them the right TO charge seven
nts and the poor people are the ones
suffer" III
3 NJ Davis nresident NJ the Voters |