South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-03
Other Editors Than Ours
STREET CAR DECISION.
INDIANAPOLIS TimeS.)

The state public service commission. il its decision
the Indianapolis street case. written by Chair
Z I. Lewis. takes modern and common-sense
view bad situation The decision is very much of
victory the nickei-paying public and defeat 70.
the specializing interests involved in the various street
companies.
1t is commendabe that the commission injects no
vndictive linn tations it has seen fit to
impose the street promoters 1t has little
farther in its protection of the public capitalized
securities of questionable wortha little farther than
any previous decision of commission goes, that
is a most encouraging circumstance.
The commission points out that the present
carious condition of the companies results from i'm
proWdent and greedy management and rightly asserts
that simple justice is if those who have
biking the property by insisting handsome salaries
and interest dividends securities which o
ency, forego some of their money. The commits
sion in effect that the promoters would inspire
more confidence in the public. establish right
more sympathetic consideration if they would show
disposition refrain from milking the property
revenues in this crisis rather than to continue to insist
that the full burden of preserving the soivency of
concern be placed the public
Having fought for more than five years for the
recognition economic principle that the
public should not be required to pay such service
charges viii interest dividends
and stock representing cash investment or any in
vestment equivalent cash. The Times especially
gratfed to find the principle accepted by the commits
and part decision In particular
the decision has importance other than locally.
must believe that this decision will establish preceden.
in Indiana measure. reflects policy
the state from on toward all public utilities II
this proves be the then the days gambling
and specializing public utilities in Indiana
bered and ultimately the public will own.
Having been out OF agreement with the public
service commission many of its decisions and having
experienced reluctance in expressing that dissent
the Times is glad able express its commenda-
ton of the commissions this particular case
pro. :-.ous the decision has these
Denies the company the right to charge six
for fare;
Effective Dec 81 eliminates the charge of
cent for transfer;
Permits a ive-cent fare until 100 days after
the ratification by the United States of the
peace treaty;
The security holders of the companies in
volved and readjust the Affairs OF
the company. it being clearly indicated that
they rVpected squeeze the
from these securities get them
where they approximate the physical value Of
the property;
Service must be improved
the evidence in this intricate case including
reports the three directors who. a time
undertook 10 represent the public indicates service
can Re improved when the security holders come to the
place where they reasonable return
on their nvestment-and that exactly what this
decision proposes force them
II it asked by what authority the commission pro-
poses the security holders squeeze
their stocks and bonds the is obvious
w. the commission has the power 10 Ak the service
charges. hundred days after United States
rates the peace treaty automatically the car company
goes back 10 the old schedule OF fares IL at that time
Il comes in relief the commission may be expected
TO stand on provisions OF the decision and II
the security holders their part relief
should be and We believe. will be withheld
The commission has rendered sound, progressive
decision-even such details insisting that
Mahoney be removed from office.
The future the traction interest in indianapolis is
in the hands OF themselves Il
they are fair they will be fairly dealt With: II they
continue their unfair policies the day OF reckoning
with them on standard OF dealing the traction
interests elect.