The sun., 1919-10-08
GIVES 3 MONTHS
TIME FOR ROADS
TO GO BANKRUPT
N. Y. Railways Receiver to
Ask Court Order Then to
Stop Operation.
HITS CROOKS IN POLITICS
Attacking Traction Lines Is
Cheap Way to Get Votes, He
Tells Convention.
HITS CROOKS IN POLITICS

ATLANTIC CITY, Oct. 7.-PoSSfbility
Of stoppage Of all traffic on the street
railway lines in New York city within
the next ninety days because of lack
Of a financial reserve was limited at
to-day by Job Hedges. receiver of the
New York Railway Company. in a
speech before the American Electric
Railway Association in convention
here.
when the financial burdens under
which we are laboring at the present
time" he declared, reach the point
where we cannot maintain a reserve,
which will be in about ninety days. 1
am going to ask the court to stop the
running OF cars.
Trolley companies have been forced
to break contracts with municipalities
for carrying passengers at 5 cents be-
cause It is physical impossibility to
carry them under the present condi-
tions and stay out of bankruptcy"
Vehement About Cheap Politics.
He insisted with great deal of vehe-
mence that cheap politics' was stand
ing In the way of a square deal for the
traction systems. "To attack the .trac-
ton lines 10 a cheap way to get votes
from cheap people for dishonest propo-
sition," was the way In which he en-
pressed it. when II will be no longer
possible to run the lines honestly I
shall refuse to be a crook for popu-
larity"
Mr. Hedges declared that the question
Of increased fares would probably be
solved some time" He stated that the
best way to reach a solution of the vex'
ing problem was by education OF the
public. He believed that when the public
should be told ''in language they could
understand" no opposition to higher
fare would be made. Our great prob
ism," he said. lis to get the facts before
the public in language they can under
stand AS 1t is the question OF fares
seems to be an economic principle polit-
ically administered"
John H. Pardee of Pottsviile. president
Of the association, in his annual ADDRESS
declared that strikes on regulated pubic
utilities were directed against capital to
obtain a fair share of profits OF IN
dustries, but really were directed against
the public, and thus were crime
sgainst the people and should SO De
treated.
Enicessive Wares Tax ON Fares.
Excessive wages are a tax upon the
fares. inefficient labor Is similarly
tax and the adjustment of wages Is
matter which vitality concerns those
who use street railway service" he SAID
TN this adjustment the public Is rep
resented by the managements OF the
electric railways. The effort OF these
arrangements toward maintaining
reasonable wage level IL exercised for
the public and the railways thus De-
come the agents of the public In the
disputes that arise in consequence OF
labors demands"
Mr. Pardee also declared that there
must be change in the system OF col
lectve bargaining with employees, which
Is now in practice. collective bargain
ing 10 the basis of the method OF wage
adjustment under which we are now
working, and collective bargaining
argues a monopoly" he declared. The
law of supply and demand is .abrogated
and the law OF competition as regu-
iator or prices Is set aside. Arbitration
between one responsible party and one
irrespor sible party has never and car
never be productive of permanent good
or for long serve to settle disputes.
vi labor is TO enter into an agree
ment as to its wages. then labor must
assume responsibility for carrying out
OF the agreements. II labor Is to be
allowed the privilege OF collective bar
gaining for its services, then the agencies
through which this collective bargain
Ing is done must be endowed with
some corporate personality which can
De held 10 account for the maintenance
OF its agreements and the carrying out
of the awards made by the tribunals
to which it submits it's claims for arbi-
uation"