Evening journal., 1919-09-23

within the city limits and without the
city limits on the balance OF the llrst
fare zone, without meters being in
stalled upon each car and readings be-
/ Ing made every time a car enters or
leaves tho city.
$50 many features OF the operating
expenses would have 10 be divided on
an arbitrary basis. that The result
would be merely an estimate.
From the foregoing. n Is clear that
any attempt at a segregation OF revenue
and expenses would depend upon indl-
vidual judgment. and not upon any
/ accurate scientific division.
"All the foregoing, demonstrating the
imposslblity OF a proper segregation
/ OF earnings and expenses OF operation
within the city Of Wilmington, applies
with equal force TO any segregation OF
/ the fixed charges against the operat-
| ing revenue within the city.
From the foregoing Il Will be clear.
THAT II Is at present impossible TO
attempt any accurate or scientific seq
fegatlOn OF the revenues and expenses
of The railway department OF this com
pany within the city OF Wilmington;
7 That the approved method OF op-
Grafton OF the railway department OF
/ this company Is as a unit within the
state OF Delaware: and
"That the railway operations OF this
company within the State Of Delaware
do not, under present rate OF fare, pro-
vide sufficient revenue out OF which 10
NEE. the Increase in expenditures, oc-
casioned BY the present rate Of wages.
airrl. 90 ha
/ ton. viz: Is an eight-cent rate OF fare
necessary 10 secure sufficient revenue
from railway operations 10 pay the IN
crease due 10 increase rate OF wagesY
"The Item OF labor amounts to over
/ ~ per cent. OF The total operating ex-
penses of the railway department OF
/ this company. II Is in evidence and Is
! matter OF common knowledge that
the various items OF materials used In
tne operation OF this company, has ad-
lyanced 10 the extent OF 80 per cent
10 400 per cent OF the pre-war prices
and that there Is no immediate eX-
pectalion OF any reduction In prices OF
| snch materials No economies can De
effected in the matter OF maintenance
as owing 10 the difficulty, II not I'M
possibillty Of securing materials ere
aied bv the war, items OF maintenance
nave already been deferred as long az
possible.
ON the matter OF special taxes. the
eompany IS required 10 pay, by act OF
Legislature passed IN 1919, a rate two'
and one-half times the regular real es-
tale rate.
"All other items OF operating ex-
peuse and fixed charges are dennlteN
fixed BY statute or contract ana are
beyond the present control Of TINS
company. It will, therefore, appear
that every item OF operating expense
and fixed charges is fixed ana deter
mined by contract or CONDITION over
which this company has no present
centrol. and there can be no immediate
expectatlon OF any reduction In any
item OF expense.
"Since there Is no present hope OF
anv reduction in the operating eN-
nenses and fixed charges OF this COM
nanv and since such operating eN-
nenses and nxed charges exceed Tue
smount OF revenue reasonably TO De
ovnectpd from an eight-cent cash ler@
based upon the experience OF oui,I
c,ties operatlng under similar conu'-
tions a must be concluded mat no
rate ~ fare less than an elghJcent
cash fare will provide funds 10 tsAe
care of the increase in wages.
I'm addition 10 maintenance and oper-
,tin, evnenses the company each Heai
,s c0mpelled. under its charter 10
construct IFS tracks and pave same. Que
~ tbo having program OF the city ana
tbe state for the current year. the coHi-
nanv will be obliged TO eXpend approx
mately s25OO0O ,,,
Tniess This company Is provided win
suf1cient revenue out OF which not
onIv operating expenses can be met DuI
snnds FOR proper development secured
n will he unable TO furnish proper pup
lie service. This is not condltioi lVosl
To the city OF Wilmington or Tue s.a.e
~ Delaware. II is a matter OF record III
this proceeding that in 40 clues uls
rate OF fares in excess OF cents, ana
tbat In more than 80 OF these elites
charge OF 10 centsis made. -
III is also a matter Of record IN this
nroceeding that the President or the
tinted states recognizing the critical
situation which confronts the electric
railway industries Of the United states
and their Importance in the business
life of the nation, has appointed a COM
mission. composed OF prominent pubic
men. 10 investigate the problems sur
rounding the operation OF these COM
nanies The testimony taken before
tbis commission. which Is appearing IN
the public press, is clearly TO the point
that nracticaly every railway company
oneratine i'm this country Is faced with
the same problems and difhcultles ID
financing its operation.
Unless we are enabled 10 furnlsn
this public service there can not be the
relation between the company and the
public. and between the company ana
its men. that is proper and right in the
operation OF any public utility COM
pany.
1--WE believe we have demonstrated
not only the utter absence OF funds
but the necessity OF every cent that can
be riased by the eight-cent rate, and
that n the rate is>not approved by the
commission, Il viii be impossible FOR
the company TO properly function as
public utility company, or TO continue
TO pay its men the rate OF wages re-
Gently made effective. 4
Mr.. Tingley answered all the argu-
ments made by the other side at length.
He said the figure presented showing
deficit made a prima-fscie case. since
Il was agreed by a court that the SIX
cent fare. was Just. he said, the fact
that the new wage scale now necessi-
tates an additional expenditure Of $780,
600 a year, makes it evident that me