The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-11
Cost Of Rides in Topeka May
Be Based on Patronage.
Patrons Who Use Cars as a Ne
cessity To Be Favored.
100 RIDES IN PERIOD, $3.50
Others To Pay Possibly as High
as Ten Cents.
Additional Revenue of $4,000
Not for Betterments.

Graduated rates for street car serv-
ice based on patronage was proposed
to the public utilities commission to-
day in the hearing on the application
of the Topeka Railway Co. for in
creased fares. The proposal was
made by F. A warfield. engineer for
! the Mckinley system at the conclusion
/ of his direct testimony. He told the
commission that & six cent fare for
Topeka and Oakland would increase
gross revenues from $4,000 to $780,
/ 900 a year.
State commission members seemed
to take a keen interest in the proposal
for a graduated rate. warfield ad-
mitted the plan had it's defects and
objectionable points. but he would
welcome a chance to try it out. Adop-
ton of Warfield's proposal would give
to the day laborer and the clerk who
! ride street cars every day a minimum
rate. 1t would compel the bad wealth
er and occasional patron to pay the
maximum service charge.
| II would like to see the introduce
ton of 3 ten cent first class fare"
rides, the less he should pay for the
unit haul. If he rides 100 times in a
gwen period he should have a rate of
say $3.50 for the 100 trips as against
"a Iidl ten cents IOr the man VINO riOeS
only when he does not care to use his
motor car or when he rides np-town--
: from railway station only because
I street car service is cheaper than taxi
service.
/ 1.-The man who uses the street car
as convenience and not as a neces-
sity should pay something for the
| service which is available to him. The
man who uses the street car as a
necessity cannot own a motor car and
lNF ,1~f 4.
mum rate. He should have the bepe-
fit of the lowest rate"
Has this plan any Objectionable
features?" asked John M. Kinkel OF
, the commission.
Increase in Revenue.
Yes" said Warfield, "it is Just like
all other plans. There is always a
way to beat it. Considering the hu-
man element. there is the danger OF
, loaning the minimum coupons or
passes to friends. There is also the
possibility that a conductor might buy
books and trade the company mini
mum tickets for maximum cash fares.
But an almost similar system is now
being tried out by the st. Louis Elec-
I trio Railway system"
Notice by Mayor Corwine that he
would demand certain betterments
and improvements in event the COM
pany was given an increase in rates
was anticipated by T. F. Doran, at
torney for the company, in his ex-
animation of Warfieid.
What would be the probable in
creased returns in revenues under
cent rate?" Doran asked.
Between 100000 and $4,000 a
year with 10000 the maximum" said
the witness
Has this money already been alb
sorbed in increased expenditures
Then Warfield gave food for further
thought and meditation.
"A Scent fare here would be only
the start of an advance which no one
knows where it would end" said the
witness. I'm one year this extra rev.
enue would be more than absorbed
e AS soon as this money is eaten up by
i the present steady increases in ex-
: pense. a 7-cent rate must be secured
= 1t is inevitable. The passenger must
: pay the expense OF operation"
No Fund for Improvements,
i. Warfield said that in 276 cities in
. the United States with populations in
= excess of $4,000, street car fares had
: been increased in 1873 of them
< would a 6-cent fare provide funds
u for extensive betterments and i'm.
{ provements? asked Doran in antici-
patton of Mayor Corwine's fourteen
: points.
7 NO. The expenditure of this extra
II return has already been contracted
: for"
COrwine's Fourteen Points.
- At the conclusion of the Warfield
;. testimony Mayor Corwine on behalf of
e the city of Topeka offered a proposal
. for fourteen betterments and improve
ments which were desired If the pres
Ia ent rate is to be increased. The FOUR
e teen points in the mayors demand
~ We're as follows:
= Resurface between tracvs from Fourth
> street to Tenth street on Kansas avenue
Replace the eobbiestones on Kansas avenue
with paving to match street.
Repaye all streets between trucks with
material to match the street paving par.
ticularly at intersections.
Improve crossings. especially at Eighth
IS street and Ninth street on Kansas avenue
also at intersections of Seventh and Jack.
streets.
'. Keep tracks in repair, particularly West
y Sixth street West Eighth street, and
- Fourth street: also Clay street between
u line.
h More cars at regular schedule. Extra ser.
l. vice at busy periods of the day, and OF
New and more commodious cars Nor,
"a double truck cars, single truck cars ts
"a be removed on prominent lines
u Put double trucks under traflers.
n. Remove all flat wheels.
Mt All gates to be opened to the inside o.
n the car. or be removed
!, ( Tenders to be kent in n safe condition
" Safety zones to he marked permanentlJ
Not less han fifteen minute service OF
any line.
Wire screens on left hand side Of cars.
~ Cars kept In a clean and sanitary condi
ton.
to 10 Million Cash Fares.
< warfieId testified on direct exam
T. ination that 12s,960 free rides wer,
I'd given by the company in 1918. Nor.