Evening journal., 1919-10-25
new TROLLEY FARE
EFFECTIVE MONDAY
lGontinued From Page one.l

I-ttIL EaNll ldlG anu NAAH NV NtNHr~N
20 into effect simultaneously All Of
the old four for "a cent tickets will be
exchanged for four Of the new with the
additional payment OF one cent Thls
will eliminate any attempt to save
money by stocking up on the old tick
cts.
The commission, in its decision,
charges the traction company itself,
because Of improper methods, with
being responsible for the lack Of profits.
The company showed lack OF prudent
business Judgment, says the order, in
paying dividends on common stock in
stead Of providing for a sinking fund
10 replace obsolete equipment and re-
firing bonds. The order adds I'VE GER
tainly condemn the payments OF dlvi-
dends on common stock in The absence
OF a valuation The company, under
the present system. is unable to collect
all the fares, II Is charged. This, with
the abuse OF the transfer system by
the public, the commission contends
meant a loss Of revenue.
The increase was conditional upon
the company taking adequate steps to
collect their fares IN an efficient man
ner." This means. Mr.. Garretson re-
marked. the installation OF fare boxes
on all cars.
Another important condition attached
Is that in the valuation OF the company
properties the Wilmington property
must be appraised separately from
lines outside the city.
10 required only seventeen minutes
by the watch for the Utilities Board
To give ils decision last night. There
were, besides the commissioners. eX-
aclly % men in the audience which
heard the award read.
shortly after o'clock, the commits
sloners met in the inner room OF the
Mayors office at the Public Building
and held a brief confab behind closed
doors. Then they emerged and seated
themselves at the long table In the
cutter office of the Mayor. Mr.. Gar
rctson raped for order and announced
that the object Of the meeting was to
give It's decision in the trolley fare
raise application. IN The absence OF
the secretary Of the board, he read the
decision himself.
At the close Of the reading, Mr.. Gar
retson folded the paper and turning tC
the commissioners, said
"All in favor Of Affirming this deci
sion viii say aye
There was chorus Of "ayes."
Those opposed, Will say no.
There was dead silence THE ayes
have IT, remarked the president Of The
board. Any other questiOns.' There
was no answer. HAS anyone here am
questions % went on Mr.. Garretson
turning to the small audience.
Thomas w. Wilson. general manager
OF the traction company, asked. "WheI
are the new tickets to become erec
tive20
I'VE are not wi'lns." replied Mr
I Garrelson. that the seven cent far
should go into effect before the neS
| tickets. Any other qucstlonsY'
After a moments silence a motto
| 10 adjourn was put and carried. Asid
from the reading OF the text OF the de
cislon the business OF the session hal
not lake more than two minutes.
Speaking OF the decision after tn
meeting. Mr.. Garrelson said he though
It was absolutely fair to all con
cerned" and would settle FOR all TIM
to come the vcxlng fare problem.
The complete text OF the decision /
Attention was directed today 10 th'
clause IN the commissions decision pro
yIding that car tickets which have beer
sold. or VIII be sold prior to puttini
/ into effect the new rates OF fare, ar
m he redeemed at an additional cos
/ ~ one cent The present tickets sci
/ for four for q cents: the new ones VIII
sell at four for %. Question was raise
whether the board or the compan'
could legally demand payment of az
additional cent FOR redemption OF th
nresent tickets. and whether, II pre-
sented for fare the tickets could 10
legally refused in The future.
In this connection IL was recalled ina
when the slx-cent fare went into el
feet. the company accepted the ticket
which previously had been sold at In
rate OF i've for a quarter
The complete text Of the decision
as follows
'IIavlng heard an the evidence pre-
sented by the complainant, the WI
mington and Philadelphia Tractlo
Company. and such Of the public a
desired TO be heard and having ha
such other Information as they desir
from Clifford f. lszard, certified publ
accountant. IN his report Of Octobe
i5. 1919. which report is made q par
Of the record in this proceeding, an
Having gone over the entire evidenc
in the case. this commission desires !
make few comments in suhstantlatio
of the order. which is herewith issue'
No Appraisal Of Property
In going over the evidence, we az
unable TO determine whether the d'
preeiations are right, due to the RAJ
that there is no appraisal OF the phys
cal property Of the company.
"FurthermOre, we are unable 10 n
iermine how much Of the bonds an
stocks. as issued by the complainan
!, are represented by value, due to u
fact that no appraisal was submitt'
n with the evidence. d,
!, I'VE are also Of the opinion that u
I, charge for repaving Delaware avenu
= which. according TO the company's esl
- nate so be charged off in two yeaI
q is unreasonable. This commissi,
would not contenance, in fixing a RAJ
having this charged OF in less than II
. wears. although the total amou
/. charged to their account for deprecl
o ton may not be high.
! AS for some years past II mas De
I common knowledge that this proper
II has been suffering for lack of equl
= ment. prudent business judsme
should have dictated that Of the none
, earned. adequate provision should ha
y been made for a sinking fund to repia
" lhe obsolete equipment and retirl
bonds. vet we find since the formati
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