Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-10-08

TRENTON, Oct. 8-Irrespective
of the decision Governor Runyon may
make upon the petition of Montclair
for the ousting of the five members
of the Public Utility Commission, 1t
is very likely that new charges may
be filed against that body and with
the Governor by Jersey City's gov
erndng body. This was made appar-
ent yesterday after Commissioner
James F. Cannon. of that municipal
ity, was denied permission to join
in the Montclair proceeding before
the Governor. John w. Griggs. coun-
sci for the Utility Board. took excep-
ton to any other parties being includ-
ed in the Montclair. complaint and
Governor Runyon held that inasmuch
as the board had prepared its defense
only to the Montclair charges, It was
only fair that the proceeding should
be confined to these two parties.
However, he assured Jersey City and
other interested parties that they
might have their day in court, If they
felt so disposed to make independent
application against the Utility Board
The hearing on the Montcla1r pc
titton concluded yesterday afternoon
and argument will be made by each
side at Jersey City at a date to be
announced later, and after that the
Governor will reach the conclusion
and announce his opinion as to
whether Montclair has proved its
charges of negligence and miscon--
duct upon the part Of the hve board
members in allowing the zone fare
system to go into effect without hear
ings to Montclair on its reasonable
ness.
In the opinion of Mr.. Griggs the
recent declarations against the zone
system in the Democratic and Repub-
lican platforms adopted here do not
reflect the sentiment of the people OF
the state ON this question.
"They were all wrong" he declared
at Yesterdays trial and all during the
proceedings refused to concede any
general condemnation of the zone
system.
To prove the general unrest and
dissatisfaction with the zone system
he read messages from Gloucester,
Orange, Crawford Township, Camden,
Dover, Borough of Garwood, Passaic,
East Orange, Jersey City, Newark,
Verons. Belleville and Nutley. He
charged that the system is dangerous
to life and limb and that it does not
facilitate traffic. His counsel argued
that Montclair has insistently de-
manded hearing on the zone system
and it had been denied and that Cam
den's plea has not yet been acted
upon by the commission for an abol-
ition of the zone system.
Among the important witnesses ror
the commission was Charles e. ELM
quist, appointed by President Wilson,
president of the U. s. Federal Elec-
trio Railway Commission and presi-
dent of the National Association OF
Railway and Utility Commissions
representing all the utility boards
throughout the country. Among his
points were these: Zone system Is
very much a moQted question and
largely experimental in this country
and some desire to change 1T In
Europe for a fiat rate. His federal
commission Is studying it's results
Appraisals of utility properties is de-
sirable before fixing rates but during
the war this could not easily be done
due to the constantly rising costs o1
labor and operation expenses. In
emergencies these things must be
overlooked to keep the companies
solvent and going. There is appar-
emily no hope for reduction OF the
costs for some years.
Mercer Runabout. $1,000. sections
Garage Ii Smith st. S573-l0-2-tr'