The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-06-28
Electric Boosts Rates

Wlthln the past week the Mich. NY.
has boosted its passenger tariffs with
one tremendous boost. Whereas, it
formerly cost 20c to reach the city of
Flint over this line, the present tariff.
war revenue included. is 39c, or nearly
double the former rate. The fare to
Mt. Morris is 14c, formerly lie; Detroit
$l.47, formerly $l.30. 1t will be noted
that the Detroit fare has been increas-
ed only to the extent of the increased
fare to Flint, as the ID. U. r. has not
increased its passenger tariff between
the latter city and Detroit. between
which cities the Mich. Ry. operates its
cars over d. U. R. tracks upon some
traffic arrangement with the latter
company. The fare to Birch Run is
now tic, formerly lie, and to Saginaw
CSC, formerly Acc. Freight tariffs have
also been boosted, the minimum charge
now being soc. Packages in excess of
100 lbs. are carried between Clio and
Flint at the excess rate of 27c per cwt..
former charge 2lHc. and between De-
troit and Clio at 44c, former charge 35c.
At the present time The Messenger
is not prepared to discuss the increase
in freight rates. We had supposed
these tariffs were under the supervision
of the State Railroad Commissioner,
but it is possible that the electric lines
are not thus regulated. In the case of
the passenger tariffs, however, in the
absence of state supervision, the COM
pany should be subject to the terms of
its franchise grants. The franchises
granted by the various townships along
the right of way were. for valuable
consideration. to-wit, the guaranty Of
certain advantageous rates of fare.
The franchise granted by the Township
of Vienna calls for the maintenance of
passenger tariff of 1Xc per mile
within the township, and as we see it
the Michigan Ry. Company has no more
moral right to tbrogate the terms of
that contract than a private purchaser
would have to withdraw payment for
certain property which he had bought
and the emouments of which he might
be enjoying. Of course, the war emer-
gency has resulted in the clothing of
the government with broad authority
and if an increase in tariffs were auth
orized by the government, as war
measure, it would have to be obeyed.
But, we understand, such authority has
not been granted, and that the raise in
rates is entirely arbitrary on the part
of the Michigan Ry. Company. This
being true, there is but one logical
thing to do and that is for the town
ship to bring suit in the courts to pro-
tect its rights. We understand that
the franchises all along the line of this
road, between Flint and Saginaw, are
of about the same character, and that
many of the townships are considering
concerted action to secure observance
of the provisions of their fran
chises.
The immediate effect Of the raise in
rates between Clio and Flint has been
Il IIlRDly Oil III tuS VI
workmen over the Michigan Ry. lines.
For years it has been the practice of
from fifty to one hundred workmen to
take the early morning car at Clio, as a
means of reaching their work in Flint.
The tariff of doc per day was such as
they could stand. but when it was prac-
ticaly doubled they very generally de-
clined to stand for it and ol one occasion.
at least, since the raise went into
effect, but five of them took the car for
Flint. Another result has been that
the jitneys are doing thriving busi-
ness on the patronage that formerly
went to the railroad company and sew
eral of them are in operation between
here and Flint. charging fare of 25c.
The roads are, splendid between the
two towns and with the completion of
the Dixie the electric line will have
plenty of competition for business if it
succeeds in maintaining its presentrates.
At the present time it seems extreme
ly likely that Vienna township will join in
a movement to secure from the railroad
company a continuance of its fran
chise rights.