The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1918-06-06

been compelled to fight the continual rising
cost OF materials for repairs. extensions,
new equipment and cost of service The
increased cost of all materials used by cleo
trio lines have increased on an average of
from 40 to 400 per cent In addition to this
they have been Justly compelled to increase
the wages OF their employees
Among the principal materials and their
increased cost are the following: Cotton
Waste I33 per cent, Cedar Poles, I2s per
cent Cement ~ per cent, Angle Bars ISL
per cent, Armature Coils IIS per cent, Rails
100 per cent, Trolley Wire rso per cent.
Brass Tubing 1873 per cent, Car Wheels Is
per cent Magnet Wire 2oo per cent. Sheet
Brass "a per cent. Nails no per cent. Street
Cars 100 per cent, Special Track Work Is
per cent, Steam Coal so per cent, Dry Bat
teries 50 per cent, Rail Spikes, r57 per cent,
Carriage Bolts 100 per cent, Brake Shoes
% per cent. Pig Tin us per cent. Bolts rl+
per cent, Bar Steel 200 per cent, Linsecd
Oil 200 per cent, Railroad Ties So per cent,
White Lead S. per cent.
In the Judgment of men who have given
the subject of conditions existing in the cleo
trio street railways of the United States,
there arc Just two ways to save the street
car lines from pling up on the rocks in
mad scrambled wreck: To increase the
revenues to meet the higher cost of opera
ton and the needs for additional service.
or cut expenses down to where the cost of
running the street railways docs not increase
its income. which of course can only be done
by cutting the service rendered to their
patrons.
II wages were reduced or even remained
stationary as they are, a big proportion of
the street railway employees would quit the
cars, shops, track work and Offices. This
expectation is reasonable and consistent.
and is one OF the big reasons why President
Wilson has said: at is essential that these
utilities should be maintained nj their maxi
mum efficiency and that everything reason
in view ! hope that state and local authori-
ties. where they have not already done so.
will when the facts are properly laid before
them respond promptly to the necessities
OF the situation"
Dcnvcr's street railways have been rum
ming behind and showing serious deficits for
the past few years They took in big sums
Of money aunualv-bu, at the end of cacI,
year they found themselves no better off
than at the start. because they had to pay
'Hi ever NNIt llltN toDk III anu tIlcN StIUc.
The man running the peanut stand on the
corner has more left, in proportion to his
earnings at the end Of the year, than the
street railway system. Sounds foolish until
you think about it.
Miles Of old track should have been re-
placed with new and heavier rail long ago.
but there has been no money for such cx-
pcnditurcs. Increased revenues is the only
answer il street car riders on the older lines
are 10 ride over smootr. fast tracks. 1t takes
money TO maintain tracks. cars and power
system in good condition TO give good scrv-
ice and il maintenance were to be trimmed
ia the quick there would unavoidably re-
suit the knotkcd-out ears, bad track. and
slow operation that mean poor service and
frequent delays because Of some outworn
cqu;pmcn, We woul d be trying T. get along
with"