New Britain herald., 1919-12-09
ZONE SYSTEM RATES DECLARED TOO LOW Gen. Mgr. Punderford Not Sure It
 Will Prove Success
 HEARING CONTINUES TODAY
ManChcstcr and Bridgeport Commut- , CTS Voice Protests and Connecticut
 Company Replies at Public Utilities
 Commission Hearing

Hartford. Dec. 9.--}Iarry M Burke, who is representing the Manchester commuters at the hearing on the zone system of trolley fare changes before Ghc public utilities comm sSion, at the capitol, was chosen by attorneys inter- rSteu tD the protests aS their SpOkes- man today. Tne hearing was resum- @d trcm the point left off yesterday with General Manager John Punder- ford OH the stand explaining some of the financial experiences of the Con- necticut Ca. With MT. Burke will be ". B. Seeley, who represents Bridgeport and Judge w. L. Bennett, corporation counsel of New Haven as ;taS, sting questioners.
 Hope for $1 1,5OO,OOO.
 Mr. Pundertord said in answer to MT. Burkc'S questions that the cOm- pany expected, or rather hoped, to get $1.500, 900 more revenue from the zone system.
 Chairman Higgins of the commis- sion asked MT. Punderford what relief the com pany had requested of the last general assembly. The reply was that the company could have retained the six cent fare and possibly have reduc- ed it to five cents had the legislature removed some of the burdens, such as
  and could have helped by removing the competition by jitneys.
 MT. Seeley for Brid geport petition CTS, said that the company's witnesses had showl, the company to be insolv- ent. MT. Burke said he did not agree that the Connecticut Co. was insolvent.
 On motion of Judge J. P. Futile of Hartford a recess was ordered, during which attorneyS conferred.
 On reSum ption of the teStimO Ony MT. Burke asked MT. Punderford if it were not so that at hearing in December 1916, on protest against the six cent fare, the corporation counsel of Hart ford had suggested the zone system. MT. Punderford recalled that this was so and he added that the zone system Whicl, is now in use is unique so far as tho United States is concerned in that it was the only one Of i>J particular kind in operation.
 Tn reply to Mi. Burke the general manager admitted that not until the last legislature failed to give relief was q zone system considered. Nr. Punderford admitted that the com paily does rot know whether the zone sy~4en, will be a success or not. rTc was su~e the rates now are too low. DO you conside" you gave the six cent fare a fair trial?" asked MT. Burke.
 We gave it a dangerously long t~'a!" rc3l;ad MT. PundorfOrd. I,css Knocking Down. MT. P,sp& aTford told Chairman Hig- 1 gins that knocking down" by conduc- 1 tors had been greatly reduced under 1 tho zone system. He emphasized that 1 the great majority Of conductors wocc ! honest. 'Up to tho war We had Q 1 clean road without any great amount ! of pecLlG.I.o:>, EIIi during tho WGr the men we got certainly did rob ua right ! and lctt- We have let out 175 of l these 1ner since last January" saidMr ! Pll1dcTfc:-i'.
 1 fLe admitted tt2t tha one-nan car 1 T:sa3 operated at q saving but he told 1 &I1. See4eS' tllat Bridgeport was ''tfc 1 worst city i1 the state for the trolley ] com pcisy'." because he Gaid, there was ] 10 restriction or jitroJs which carried i u1ora passengers than the law allowed 1 and wore given other favors.' He de- l clar6d that 8 strict mileage basis Of ! z 1-c couts a, mile would do more thar anything cl2;c. to put inc jitneys out Of business. but. he added, If you put l tho 2 1-c cont ratc into effect you're 1 licked before you start"