El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-10

10y analogy that the street car fare
should be increased
Building Men Demand Service.
p S Snyder. speaking for the build
ing trades unions. said they were op-
posed 10 the proposed raise in fare
IF we pay for something, we like 10
get It." he said, and one half the
time we stand up in the cars and pay
just the same"
William Welsh. speaking for the
same interests, said we believe
their operating expenses were not in
creased on account OF the war, but
were decreased" He cited one man
cars as one Of the causes Of decreases.
The service is inadequate" he con-
tinued, I'VE get no seats and all we
get is promises
objects 10 ProfIteerinE.
Presenting a petition signed by
many scores OF citizens, attorney
John 7. HlI spoke against the raise
Il do not believe in being arbitrary
he said. and want no enterprise 10 be
a failure I suggest that a disinter-
ested auditor be engaged to ascertain
If the car company is failing. I don't
object TO any one making money. but
1 object to profiteC-mg- If the car
company made money last year. I
can't see why IL is not making IL this
T =
by one man cars and the skipstOp
system" Mr.. Hill said corporations
frequently charged upkeep expenses
and also wear and tear charges, while
the latter should not be charged. He
( did not know If the car company did
this
says FL PasO Money Leaves.
ANY man who has been making
money ought to be willing to sacrifice
something now" he continued. 1t is
I a patriotic duty. I don't believe the
/ FL Paso Herald is in sympathy with
/ the proposed raise, but 1 see in page
/ advertisements by the car company in
{ The Herald references TO other cities
Z that have granted the increases.
Those cities all have manufactur-
/ ing enterprises bringing money into
/ the city as . result OF the war. FL
! Paso hasn't that and every dollar We
: spend for war staGps and bonds
: leaves the city We produce nothing
/ Of benefit to the war. yet our citizens
+ periodically support all government
calls In the face Of that the car COM
/ for them and not seek any opportunity
I to make more money"
Hadn't Heard Of Dividend.
M Wyatt suggested here that he
had never heard Of the car company
! paying p percent dividend, which
d aa ny LAlAA AAAQAAa-aAAQLa nAL ALlaL
he fMr. Wyatt) would not take car
/ company stock as collateral without
I careful investigation.
/ Mayor Davis here asked II. S. Pot
I ter. traffic superintendent Of the COM
pany. If the schedule promised some
time ago are being maintained and
s Mr.. Potter replied affirmatively.
'On Myrtle avenue alsog' asked the
mayor Mr.. Potter replied, yes"
That's contrary 10 reports 1 have
received" retorted the mayor.
Says Stock Under Par.
The car company has never paid
over 10 percent dividend" declared
judge J. " GOggin, counsel for the
company. The stock now is under
{ restoration Of lines here about $780,
600. Our city taxes this year viii be
$40 0oe, county taxes viii be $4,000
and total, including federal taxes, will
be nearly $4,000.
Not Asking Permanent Increase.
The jitnes pay the city only $50
{ year each our employees are almost
without exception American citizens,
VINO came from the country like you
and J. They are good Americans and
entitled TO wage increase, which
the six cent fare viii permit US TO
/ grant.
Our books are open for your in
vestigatiOn at all times. We must
raise wages. The government recog-
niZes that fact and we recognize it.
I We are not asking you for a per
manent increase in fare. but simply
during present conditions"
] says Statement Only a Form.
The mayor then called for the last
! statement filed by the car company
! with the council 1t covered the year
! ending December 81, 1917. and showed
! SI.240. 900 gross earnings, S1.266. 900
! operating expenses, which included
! 1886. 600 for extensions. The net
/ earnings were $4,000.
] Mr. Warren said nothing could be
proved from that statement. which
I simply compiled with the law. The
council then voted TO engage an audi
I tor 10 go over the company's books.
] Jitne Revenue, $4,000.
: Referring TO jitne revenues, the
{ mayor and traffic clerk. G. Norman
I GOrham. had compiled estimates
J showing their total annual revenue TO
Doe about S3g2. 600. as follows. Park
. line. - cars. s15o.3s0s Rio Grande. Is