Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-10
The l.. A. & WIS Proposed Raise in
Rates


Rates.
We are in receipt of lengthy
communication from the general
manager ~ the J.. 4. & W. Street
Railway Company. addressed ITO
the Honorable Municipal Officers OF
Augusta, Maine by way of the col
umns OF the Kenncbcc Journal. AS
this communication necessarily en-
bodies much % the communication
published Wednesday morning, from
the same source. and addressed to
the Public Utilities Commission. We
less reiteration of detail. and will at
tempt 20 deal with the vital points
which are Of the same interest 10 the
citizens OF Gardiner, Iiallowcll and
watcrviile. where tho Kennebec Jour
nal is the newspaper chiefly read in
the homes and business houses. that
they are 10 the citizen OF Augusta.
The matter OF a forty percent. in
crease In the fare rate on the street
railway lines chartered 10 give safe
and dependable service" 10 the peo-
pie OF these four cities within our
county, as we'll as upon oil the lines
OF this company in tho State. is a
matter for careful, serious. candid and
fair consideration. by us. BY the Pub
lie Utilities Commission. by the
patrons OF tho road. and by the COM
pany itself.
Up TO this time. we may assume
that the company IS the only party
Interested. which has given such con-
slderation TO the proposed increase
in fares upon It's lines. or course.
tho Public Utilities Commission is
largely familiar with tho affairs Of
this company. but We doubt II the
members OF the commission are fully
aware OF the prevailing sentiment in
the cities named touching the service
rendered In the period specified In
the statements OF the company. For
that reason. and because we feel GER
tain that large number OF our read
ers. who are patrons In some degree
OF the road. are not fully informed as
to the demands OF the company. the
rights OF the public. and the wisest
course TO pursue. we would present
some OF the moro important phases
OF the question. and offer a few sug-
gestions.
In the first place. no one will deny
that this company operating a pub-
lie util.ty, is entitled TO operating
expenses. upkeep. and fair dividend
on capital invested. Nor should we
dony that II the company has main
talned its charter obligations. under
careful business management, in n
period of sufficient length to fairly
and fully test the supporting value OF
the territory in question. and finds
itself unable to fulfill its obligations
then the time has arrived when tn.
patrons Of tho road must take undo
advisement the question rs to wheth
er they shall meet an increase il
support Of the utility. II shown 10 b,
necessary. or do without tho servic,
entirely.
The company may be expected 4
maintain that IL has mot all It's obi,
cations 10 the public thus far. anc
that ~ has suffered loss thereby. IL
n three months period ending March
81. lols, in tho sum Of $4,000 il
round numbers. and in a twelve.
months period ending March 81
1913, about $4,000, The public may
he expected 90 claim that tho com
pany has not mot IT'S obligations
that II has not maintained safe and
dependable service" that IL has no,
drawn from the supporting public
tho revenue II would have enjoyed
under competent management ant
courteous. ohliging service; and tha
tho road has suffered from it's owr
lack OF business methods. and loss o.