The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-11-02
THE DULUTH STREET RAIL WAY
COMPANY,

Residents and citizens of Duluth,
and especially those who have occa-
sion to use the street cars every day
in going to and from their work, have
had their attention called to the petit
ton of the company to the city coun-
Gil for permission to increase fares.
There is nothing new or novel in this
petition. In fact present conditions
over which the company has no con-
troll or for which it is in no wise
ponsible-conditions that have
risen because Of the great war-have
forced the company to take the step.
All industries have felt the increased
cost of operating, through the in
cost of materials and higher
wages paid to their labor But most
of these industries had this recourse
which the traction company does not
have. 1t could increase the cost of its
goods to meet the increased cost of
their manufacture. This, the traction
company cannot do because it oper-
ates under a franchise and is under
the control of the City of Duluth, in
SO far as the fares it can charge are
concerned. The company in its petit
ton to the city for permission to in
crease it's fares, to meet the condi-
lions that confront it has frankly
stated it's position and has made an
open and fair proposition to the coun-
Gil. The company has thrown it's
books open to the public, showing the
total incomes, the operating expenses,
net earnings, net income, ETC., which
plainly and clearly show that unless
relief is granted by the council, the
road will operate at loss. The men
at the head of the company cannot
overcome conditions that exist today
No one could have predicted these
conditions four years ago, and yet
they are here and are being faced by
every individual, business house and
factory head. The street railway is
essentially Duluth institution. 1t
must operate steadily at all times,
else the great business life of this
city, the thousands of working people
will be unable to get to their employ
ment and all business and industry
will be crippled. You cannot expect
the company to operate at a loss.
Only bankruptcy would result and not
only the stockholders would be the
losers, but also the great public Of
Duluth. The increase asked is small
for each passenger and will be dis
tributed over each day instead of COM
ing in a single amount that the
weekly wage Garner could not meet.
The greatest part of the money used
in operating the Duluth railways is
spent in Duluth in payment of salaries
to the hundreds of men employed in
the various capacities of the company
The part that the Duluth Street Rail-
way Company is playing in this great
world war is just as essentially war
work as that of any big industry and
is so recognized by the government.
The officers of the company are men
of integrity and good judgment and
in whom the public has confidence.
They are: A NJ Robertson, presi-
dent; Herbert Warran, vice-president
| and general manager; S. l.. Reichert,
secretary and treasurer. In publish
ing this historical review, we feel that
in justice to the company, and for the
good of the City of Duluth and it's
citizens, that our readers use their
best influence for favorable action on
the petition, by the city council.