Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-22

service at fair rates. 1t Is for the
commission to use all its lawful au-
| thority to see that both Of these re-
suits are accomplished. But the
commission cannot provide equip.
ment, cannot procure materials es-
sential in making repairs, cannot
change the character and quality of
the service which employees are rem
dering, cannot regulate or control
the cost Of labor. materials or equip
ment.
THE failure Of the companies to
| render proper service was not caused
| by any one particular thing, and
perhaps the real cause or causes can
not be definitely pointed out. There
was an unfortunate and to some ex-
tent unavoidable combination of cir
| cumstances occurring during the past
| winter and spring, many Of which
would not exist in normal times or
during an ordinary winter. Beyond
question the companies are not en-
tirely blameless. but on the other
| hand they are not wholly to blame.
| These increases in cost seemed to
the companies to make an increase in
fares absolutely necessary.
THE operators Of the Portland
Street Railroad in March filed q
schedule of rates which called for
six cent fare in place of the five cent
fare, shortening of many Of the
zone limits, and contemplated a cur
tailment Of service. Almost as soon
as the schedule was filed this com
mission served notice upon the COM
pany that the matter of such changes
would be investigated and after q
preliminary hearing the operation of
the proposed schedule was suspend
ed for three months and later the
period was again extended an addi-
tional three months. The incident
change in the rate of fare, a some
what universal change in the zones
within which passengers could ride
at a single fare, the curtailment of
service and some re-routins of cars.
has caused annoyance, inconvenience
and protest from some of the patrons
OF the road. Any plan which is SO
nearly new as the one applied in
Portland is necessarily somewhat
tentative, and the commission is en-
deavoring to assist the company and
the public in so arranging matters
that a minimum of inconvenience
may finally result. 1t should be un
derstood. of course, that with the re-
turn OF somewhat normal times all
conditions will change, and it is very
| pfobablc that advancement of
street railway fares will be regarded
as necessary.
I hn 7 ,ox-
| Wateryille Street sRailway a straight
fare of scven cents is being tried out.
| The result is not entirely satisfac-
tory. The increase in revenue has
not been that which was anticipated,
many people are for one reason or
another refraining from using the
facilities Of the company, and it is
not safe to predict what changes will
have to be inausurated upon this
system.
increases in fares upon nearly all
of the other street railroads have
been made and these higher fares
VIII no doubt have to be paid until
me general level of costs is somewhat
lower.
! Gas companies, on account of the
enormous increase in the price of
coal and Oil especially. and of labor
and other materials which enter into
the cost Of the product, have adj
vanced their rates to a considerable
extent. The rates of some light and
power companies have been in
creased, as also have those of some
of the water companies. But upon
the whole the increases have not
been greater in our Judgment than.
the increases in costs have been alb
| solutcly necessary"
| Death Of VIM. B. Loveioy.
| A decision has been rendered by
the Public Utilities Commission in
the matter of the accident at Rum
ford Junction Oct. 80 last, which re-
| suited in the death of William B.
Lovejoy, aged 26 years, of Peru, head
brakeman on Maine Central extra
freight $40. who was crushed between
the drawbars of the caboose and a
freight car, at Rumford Junction at
1853 P. NJ, Oct: 90. 1918. The de-
cision concludes:
Mr.. Lovcjoy had had several
years experience and was regarded
as a careful. capable man. The oc
curronce appears to have been en-
tirely accidental and que to no fault
of the train crew"