The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-28
Toledo Rides In 2,25O
 buSseS But Fare Is
 10 Cents, No Transfers

AoieoO, onlO, NOV. 70. - Alter al- I most two weeks of a street carless situation Toledo is still cheerful, ap- parent1y satisfied and not in the least disposed to yield to any offer of an l unsatisfactory franchise The Mayor ana Council are negotiating with Henry L. Doherty, representing the street car company, two propositions, one for a franchise under which cars
 would be operated at cost plus a stip- l ulated return on the investment, the other a straight municipal ownership ordinance
 1T city and company can agree on
 the terms of the two propositions they
 will both be submitted at special
 election, the one receiving the largest
 majority vote to be accepted. Mean
 time Doherty refuses to return the
 cars, which are stabled in Michigan
 a lew miles from the city. He says
 he will return the cars if Council ap-
 proves the two propositions and if
 council and elements hitherto op-
 posed to settlement recommend a
 favorable vote on one or the other.
 While the negotiations are going on
 the city administration has taken,
 charge of the substitute transporta-
 tion- Safety Director Charles Wall, a.
 veteran transportation man, is or
 ganizing the service. He has 2,25o gasolene vehicles, buses, jitneys,
 trucks and passenger autos registered and in service to replace the 32O
 street cars withdrawn from the streets. Large factories have provid-
 ed truck transportation for their en- ployees. The Overland plant reports more men at work than at any time since the big strike. Other factories report their plants not hampered by any lack of attendance of employees. It was planned. to run shuttle trains on the belt steam lines, but this has not been found necessary.
 There is an almost Universal opinion that the service is better than IL was when the street cars were in operation. The sticking point is the cost. The fare is straight 10 cents without transfer, though a transfer system is now being arranged. The i street car fare was cents and 2 | cents for transfer -.
 J1tneys Cover All Routes
 The number of vehicles in service gan1zed and so we'll held to- stfpu lated routes covering the old street car routes that delays in transporta- t1on are much less than formerly. Prohteering is closely watched by the police, and those who do not fulfill clty orders as to price and routes are oeprlVed or their permits and for olooen to operate except under taxi cab license, which is expensive.
 The high cost of riding is greatly reduced by motor owners and drivers who carry passengers free. The Elks, members of the Auto Club and other organizations have placed on their machines sign Ride free with us as far as we go''
 Many people vie with each other in seeing how many passengers they can carry in a day, and it is a com mon matter to hear motor drivers ooasting "I carried sixty-eight today and seventy five yesterday" The number of motors in the city is esti- r mated at 15,o00. Practically every in the city from the oldest "recks to the pleasure cars that had oeen laid up for winter is in service. me percentage of accidents is lower han when the street cars were r1,n hing, although the congestion fs more apparent
 Only one death has been reported ano no other serious accidents. The , 'afety first campaign is being nress- d everywhere.
 The spirit of the city seems to be oused by the removal of the cars. , ne ophion or iabor leaders, poIi- ( aclans ana factory owners is that if i ne custer ordinance were up for Tote now 1t would be passed again . 'y two to one vote. The feeling -sa1nst Doherty and the company is ' cry strong, and there is a feeling i nat any solution that he may offer / VIII De voted down. The chief anxiety or settlement comes from the loWntown merchants who suffer from oss of the trade that formerly came on ten interurban lines These cars 10 longer pass the city limits and is made by bus. But that : rade has been cut down by 75 per : ent. The city traffic has not suffered J Q much as had been expected The 'aturday trade last week was fully ID to standard, though through the Veek there was falling off estimated . rom lo to S6 per cent. The smaller