Norwich bulletin., 1919-07-21

ner. E1apderq corner to Crescent HalNilie to Westerly and Central answer. ~but before this is done I think the communities affected ought to have a chance to say what they want to do." continued Mr. Perkins. don asked if obtaining power from the Eastern Connecticut Power company would not reduce the operating ex-
 syes. about *7e.eoo." Mr. Perkins MT. Fox asked about a single unit trelley car and was told that the road was shortly to experiment with one of these that might help to solve the problem of more frequent service in the cities.
 President Miner asked if MT. Per- kins had any suggestion to make that the meeting could take to get the wheels running. Mr. Perkins respond ed that the citizens might unite in a petition to remove the trolley fare rate that was fixed by the public utilities commission. In that event the road might charge 1-2e. fare from the Parade in New London to Ocean Beach, a 7e. city fare and a 1-2c. creases in fare sometimes defeat their own ends.
 Protest from Westbrook. H. E. Kelsey of Westbrook protested against cutting off the trolley service there because he said they had lost all their railroad service since the trolley came in.
 Trofleymens Answer.
 P, J. Rooney of Worcester. repre- senting the trelleymen. of whom present, said his answer to the aues- ton of how to get wheels turning again was through arbitration of the dlfereness- He charged that MT. Perkins, Per refusal te arhitrate. accord sn 1918 was the reason for the strike and he wanted to dictate how the trolle!hAa should pay their arbi- trator. If the Sc cent fare that was being paid now was only equal to 2 1-2c. according to present standards Of the value of money in comparison with several years ago. the $52.16 wages were really only equal to $26.0S. work at once provided arbitration be- gins, and he asked Mir. Perkins if he would arbitrate.
 MT. Perkins responded that he hadn't come there to debate the sub ject. The speaker had said he want ed impartial arbitration. but he want ed to have as arbitrator. a MT. Var ley of Boston. who was the paid at toruey of the trolleymen. Mir Perkins denied that the agreement of 191Sl
 
 bitration over wages. and, said if he put his signature to the arbitration agreement that the men wanted it would be like signing note he knew he couldn't pay and that might force the road into bankruptcy.
 Why do you fea- the arbitration that the trolleymen propose?" asked Senator Fox.
 Because they want the third ar bitrator named by the Taft Manley board and that board has repeatedly granted wage. increases without re- gard to ability of companies to pay and have driven them to the wall.
 Will you arbitrate if the public utilities commission could authorize a raise in fares to meet any wage raise?" inquired Mayor Morgan.
 '1f the public utilities commission would raise this money. that would solve the difficulty. MT, Perkins re-
 Mir. Rooney said he wanted to state that the trolieymep stood will ing to accept the services of the meeting and they might make some concessions from their former de- ands. He was willing to sit up all night if necessary to get this settled
 MT. Kings motion for the mediation committee closed the meeting at BRO