The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1918-06-13
7-YEAR OLD CRIME COMES TO LIGHT
FARE RAISE
IS HOLDUP

Continued From Page One.J
VIII have a gold mine" the brief
says.
IF they are allowed their re-
quested raise, they certainly will
be profiteering.
Cities Grow Enormously.
On account of the shipbuild-
ing Industries In Seattle and Ia
coma and the Camp Lewis army
post, the two cities have grown
enormously, each has probably
added one-third to its population,
and Pierce county has an addition
to its population by Camp Lewis
OF $4,000 soldiers. Because of
this the traffic has increased enor-
mously, and this has been reflect
ed In the net profits of the Puget
Sound Navigation Co. on the Sc
,attle-Tacoma run.
This increase" the brief adds,
can be seen even il we assume
their books to be correct and al
low the company to pad expenses
with a fake oil charge and two
|dead-head, idle steamers"
1t then shows that the net prof.
its on the Tacoma-Seattle route
in 1916 were $45 1854 and in
1917 S75.254.29-an increase of
more than so per cent.
Yet in the face OF these
facts, 1t declares, the naviga-
ton company increased its
rates 80 per cent over the old
5O-cent rate, and now they
are asking for a raise of S3
per cent over this old rate,
or s;S per cent increase, max
ing the route trip 81, or 93
cents net.
THE storm of public indigna-
tion at such profiteering cannot
be allayed by concealing oil be-
meath the troubled water" is the
comment made in the brief.
20 Per Cent!
Further figures showing profits
are cited as follows: The net
profits on Tacoma" Indian
apolis" and FLYER" for 1917
were $23S,235.53, or Is per cent.
The net profits on all three ves-
sells for the first four months of
1913 were S62,514, or approx
mately 26 per cent for the year.
And yet 8 per cent is consid-
cred fair net profit for public
service corporations" the brief
says.
Taking a crack at the argument
that the raise would benefit Ia
coma by keeping Tacoma people
at home, Fishburne says in his
brief.
mir. Green was adroit, and at
tempted to wave the Seattle
bloody shirt.
He said Tacoma business
man ought not to object to an in
crease in rates because a high rate
would have a tendency to keep
people from going to Seattle and
spending their money.
But boats run from Seattle to
Tacoma as well as from Tacoma
to Seattle. Seattle is a larger
place than Tacoma, and SO there
are a greater number of chances,
prospects, ! for this trip in Seattle
than there are in Tacoma.
MOssbacks.
1.-THE families, relatives and
friends of soldiers and shipyard
workers from Seattle and way
points want to visit their friends
at Tacoma and Camp Lewis.
''These people will spend their
money in Tacoma. and Seattle
money is as good as Tacoma
money. The better and cheaper
the transportation between the
two cities, the greater benefit to
both cities.
"When I hear Tacoman
with moss OH his back and
barDacles on his heels argu-
ing that high fare between
Tacoma and Seattle will help
Tacoma business, l am torn
by conflicting emotions
mirth at his folly and sOr-
row and Indignation at his
stupidity.
Seattle and Tacoma Ore
Siamese twins; injure one and you
injure the other, benefit one and
Iyou benefit the other.
This Is cent raise. as usual,
takes from him that hath not, the
man large in family and small in
purse, and gives to him that hath