Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-30
Present Condition
{Continued from Page One)

essary but did oppose calling on the
public in this manner to make good
the interest on poor investment.
Attorney G.. S. Mccarthy of Lewis
ton was the next speaker, represent
ing the patrons Of the Sabattus line.
He said that he had the same old
story of inadequate service. especially
in the evening and from 9 to ii p NJ.
Also at Saturday noon there were al
ways insufficient cars. He felt that
daily patrons of the line should re-
ceive some consideration over the
casual patron.
Judge w. H Newell, attorney for
the L., A. & w, was then given a
chance to state the company's argu-
ment for the proposed raise He said
that he desired to discuss the matter
on broad and reasonable ground
and that he should not argue that the
service had even been good. The
real issue" said he, is whether there
is at present, an emergency, under
extraordinary conditions" In proof
thereof he called attention to the re-
cent edict of the director general of
the steam railroads whereby three
rate and a % per cent
increase in freight charges, had been
made to become effective in June.
This is a time when every utility finds
that the earning capacity has dimin-
iShed while the expense side has in
creased, and that the more prosper
Gus have been able to weather the
storm better than others. lie cited
Il case from the state Of New Jersey,
W hich was a parallel case to the one
being considered. The expense has
risen so much since pre-war times
that utilities all over the country are
relief from a condition
which was created 10y something be
You'd their control, and such utilities
must I've protected. Regarding the
fare zones, these with few exceptions
were made in 1907 and at the present
time the returns are not sufficient to
pay for the service rendered. Judge
Newell ridicuied the idea that the
company lost much through dishon-
est servants. He assumed that there
had been some isolated cases of this
but that when they We're brought to
the attention of the company the case
was dealt with. Ever since railroads
were established there has been this
and probably there will be
80 long as they exist. 1t Is not a
general condition with the railroads
any more than it Is with churches,
Sunday schools, banks or business
houses"
Judge Newell then made reference to
the abnormal winter when the road
was obliged TO get along with what
equipment they had and even If they
had money they could not have pur-
chased additional equipment. I'm this
matter the J.. A. & w. were not alone,
for all roads were more or less affect
ed, including the steam roads. The
speaker then reviewed the additional
charges which must I've met by the road
during the current year and yet In spite
OF all these increases they are riding
at the same old rate Of five cents per
fare. This cannot be done without some
remedy and that must come from an
increase in revenue through the medium
of increased fares"
The speaker said that he did not Ne
lieve that the general public. on sober
second thought would expect the compa-
ny to carry them for less than cost lie
said he believed the people wanted the
road to continue but that they wanteI
better service. and don't blame
them"
He believed that not to continue the
stock would he a step in the wrong Ill
rection and that the dividend on pre-
ferred stock should be met Just the
same as interest. Common stock has
never paid any dividend and / see no
Indication that there will be in the near
future lie called attention to the fact
that the service is already being inn
proved
Scholars tickets he had never been
able to see any real merit in because he
argued that the towns paid for the tick
cts and not the parents of the chill
ircn. Coming next to the laborlng mans
icket. condition peculiar on the Me
,hanic Falls branch, Judge Newell said
IF there is one class of people in this
country who have received any benefit
from this war it is the Iaborins man,
through increased wages. and ] fail 20
ace any reason why they should have
ckets any cheaper than any other class
If men" The adjustment of scholars
tickets would mean an increased rev.
anue to the road Of 5000 per annum.
while 4 similar condition regardiN.
tickets would give s2S0l
revenue. Judge Newell closet
his argument as follows: II believe
hat our service given today Will COM
lare favorably with what other roads
IRE giving. Yet we recognize that the
,ervice should he letter and We prom
Sc that 1t shall he The petition Is a
temporary one ana we care not how II
$ regulated with provisos. The time
nay come when seven cents may appear
90 little; the time may come when i
VII appear to be too much. At present
here is but one choice, to grant our pc
ition or allow us to float until we float
nto the hands of n receiver. A raise to
six cents would not be enough and n
'aise 10 seven would probably be suffi-
lent for the road TO take care of itself.
After q brief recess Attorney Gen.
;turgis presented the peoples side
u the case He called attention to
he fact that the proponents say that
/ is an emergency meG assure and said
hat he had no doubt tut " hat the
ituation of the road mad been cor
ectly stated He conceded that
crtain demands. like the increase in