The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-02-08
TROLLEY LINES
IRE SOLUTION
To BIC PROBLEM
BY THOS. &. MITTEN.

The street railways of The United
States form a most vital part OF the
circulatory system OF tire business and
industrial world, ana, - we are TO
maintain our new leadership IN inter
national affairs. they must be made to
function properly.
To keep pace with the new order
of things, much remedying OF our
street railway systems will be re-
1u1red. Many OF the city traction lines
IN the United States today are in the
hands OF receivers, others are resort
ing to increased fares, in a futile en-
deavor to solve their problems, and
most of the remaining companies are
apprehenstvely anticipating the fu-
ture.
The company of which J am the
operating head has been able to keep
wages up to the standard set by the
national war labor board and fares
down to bisic charge of five cents.
Hence, possibly. 1 am to be excused
for pointing out some OF the causes
OF the present chaotic situation and
what believe to be the remedies that
must be applied to our street rail-
ways
Broadly speaking. the Development
of street railways has been not so
as for the advantage of property
owners and promoters
Built for Private Gain Only.
In many cities original grants were
made to competitive companies, AMI
lines are still being built to advance
real estate values and further private
interests There has, therefore. been a
great duplication OF tracks. with corr
sequent increased expense OF track
maintenance and operation.
The high rate of return received bv
investors in the earlier horsccar days
proved to be bonanzas for those who
knowing little and caring less of that
which might be in store for the flu
ture, considered all earnings available
for dividends without regard to the
wearing out Of the property and tile
consequent gradual extinguisnment OF
the original investment
Operating Costs Increase.
Electricity was later heralded as be-
ing the agency to increase speed, and
also reduce the cost. and thus make
for greater profit. 1t was with this
thought that our cities generally re-
quired of their street railways large
compensation for the right to electri-
fy; this added charge, extending IN
some instances to a complete paving
and maintenance Of the entire streets
on which cars were to be operated.
Franchises have been granted TO
politicians for hold-up purposes. and
have then necessarily been purchased
by the street railway companies.
The sum Of such p9rchase has been
almost invariably added to the cost OF
the property, so thai the burden now
carried generally is composed not only
% oP
horse cars to the present modern
street railway systems but in addi-
ton. they have had to carry tire cost
Implications. the profiteerirS of the
promoter and the price OF peace to the
politicians.
The remedy largely lies in the re-
arrangement OF existing street rail
way lines so that the public may be
properly served without maintaining
tracks on streets not necessary to
proper service.
The prime requisite Is. Of course.
that the car rider shall receive the
maximum possible for the fare paid
To correct the injustice OF the car
rider being obliged to pay for thai
which represents private gain it would
seem necessary that ownership of
street railways be vested iE the cit
les served. BY this means only does
II seem possible to apply corrective
meaures with a sufficiently firm hand
to insure the revision of the existing
lines and the planning Of the new,
with proper regard for the interest
Of all and with special favors TO none.
Municipal operation has not 50 far
as known. been satisfactorily accom-
plished in this country. The principle
OF operating with Service at COST"
supplies a well sounding phrase. but
# the mana cement IS 70 be either 20
litically controlled O.. supplied by in
experienced or incompetent trustees.