Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-03-07
MAYOR To JOIN
IN OPPOSITION
Will Lead Men at Trenton at
Protest Meeting and
at Hearing.
TRADE BOARD "NEUTRAL" "
Directors Uncertain so Decide
Not to Take Part in State
Wide Agitation.

Mayor John F. TenBroeck will
represent this city In the protest
meeting to be held at Trenton March
IA and is now endeavoring to get to-
gether committee of representa-
tive men to accompany him to the
state capital on that date to join
with the committee from other mu-
inequalities in the state who are not
in favor Of the proposed increase in
fares suggested by the Public Service
Railway Company. The public hear
ing will be held before the State Board
of Public Utility Commissioners and
large delegations from Newark, Jer-
sey City, Harrison and other places
who are deciding to join in the, fight
against increased rates by the Public
Service Company.
The Perth Amboy Board of Trade
has not Joined In with those who
propose to fight the increase In fares,
the meeting Of the directors held
Tuesday night having ended with the
decision to be neutral in the mat
ter and not to take one side or the
other. It was the belief of some of
the directors that the Public Service
Is justified in increasing the fares
owing to, increased costs OF labor,
materials, etc. Others thought the
finally decided that the Board Of
Trade would not act either way in
the matter. Tho cooperation OF the
Board Of Trade in protesting against
high rates would be of much import
ance to this .city's stand but owing
to the stand taken by that body It
must now continue the fight without
its aid.
Action ~ being started in many OF
1,A At npy% on a
to oppose the proposed increase in
fares and the ranks Of the protesting
are fast being increased. The hearing
which will take place next Thursday at
Trenton IL expected to take on the
form of huge protest meeting when
the representatives from the places In
the state opposing the action of the
Public Service make known their feel
ings. As there Is q week remaining
before 1t is necessary to attend the
hearing some of the municipalities
have not as yet taken action. Others
have already decided to join in the
fight against the Public Service Com
pany and have planned their campaigns
The city commission Of Newark has
discussed the matter and 1t seema
probably that that city will Join the
places who have made definite state
ments Of their stand against the pro-
posed increase In fares.
Jersey City is one Of the places that
has started q fight already against the
action of the trolley company, the
city commissioners having directed
their counsel to intervene in the pro-
ceedings and put up a vigo rous Night
against the Public Service. The Har-
nson council has adopted a resolution
condemning the trolley company, thus
putting that city's hat also in the ring.
The proposed new schedule OF the
Public Service Company would give
the railway company a fiat rate Of
seven cents where 1t was formerly
Ave cent? with two cents additional
charge for transfers and an addition
al cent where a second transfer Is Is
sued.
John L. O'Toole, assistant to Pres
ident Thomas N. McCarter. today
cited the fact that the net return
from the capital invested in the troll
ley system last year as about $1,00O.-
900 or a dividend Of approximately
two per cent. This dividend was paid
to the Public Service Corporation
which, as the holding company. has
absorbed the stock of the railway
company. and Mr.. O'Toole said that
while the net return might appear
large, 1t was actually small when the
great amount of capital invested Is
considered.