Norwich bulletin., 1918-09-18
WHAT TO CHARGE IS
 QUESTION FOR TRoLLEYs

That trolley companies all over the country are anxiousiy figuring on the answer to the question of what rates of fare they ought to charge to make income meet expenses, and that 95 per cent. of the companies of which he has knowledge are facing critical financial difficulties, and only one or two com panies are paying interest on their bonds, were some of the points brought out in the testimony of Pres ident Robert ". Perkins of the Shore Line Electric Railway company before the public utilities commission at the hearing the commission gave here on Tuesday morning which was upon the protest by the selectmen of the towns of Norwich and Sprague over the re- cent raise in trolley fares.
 President Perkins was the last call ed to testify at the hearing and was questioned by Attorney Joseph T.. Tanning, who was associated with Town Counsel H. H. Pettis of Norwich and Town Counsel V. P A. Quinn of Sprague. The hearing was conducted in the town hall at 9.30 o'clock with about dozen citizens present. Chair man Richard T. Higgins and c. c. FL well were the members of the public utilities commission present to listen to the evidence presented Attorney Day of Hartford and c. B. Whittlesey of New London were present III the interests of the trolley road
 In answering questions about the fared between this and adjoining places, Mir. Perkins stated that the zone rate was now 3 cents per zone, having been advanced in October last ] from ? cents per zone.
 l To a question from MT. Tanning he said that the zone rate on the West 1 erly line was ? cents per zone. Does that line pay at that rate2" asked MT. Tanning.
 Tt lost us $3s.000 in the first six months of this year" was the answer i Why hasn't the rate been raised ?'' Because we have only just got per mission from the interstate comimerce commission. The zone rate will be raised to cents within about lO days" answered MT. Perkins.
 'Is it going 10 be necessary to fur ther increase these rates on the Nor wich trolley lines?" continued MT 1 Tanning
 T would not dare promise the peo- pie of Norwich" answered MT. Per kins, that it would not be necessary to increase them further"
 Since 1906, said MT Perkins, the l average car mileage cost has been i steadily increasing. Then 1t was 15 cents, later advancing to 25 cents, and had gone to 90 cents on June 30 this year With the recent wage advance granted, the probability is that it may
 be 35 cents now. There is no money
 in carrying people to Baltic at the
 present rate of fare. which Is 15 cents
 to that point from Norwich, eight anl
 a half miles.
 At the opening of the hearing, At. torney Whittlesey said there were fig ures which the company would pre-.
 sent later but which were not ready
 now and if was agreed that attorney.
 for the petitioners would have anp!. opportunity to see these. After al I the evidence for the day had been sub 1 mitted, Chairman Higgins announc, ed that the hearing would be suspend
 ed to be reopened = Monday Oct. 14 at 1130 a. m. at Hartford.
 Attorney Pettis called Civil Engin ger George E. Pitcher to the stand fo:
 the first witness for the petitioners He gave a detailed statement of dis ; tanoes and: tassllaXs fares to point