Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1919-03-26
PUBLIC SERVICE
ASKSFOR I CENT.
FARE At HEARING
Opposition From Perth Amboy
and All Municipalities Served
by Railway Company
By STAFF Correspondent.

BIZ SfdH CofrcSpOHdeHt.
NEWARK, March z6:-The hear
ing before the Public Utility Commits
sioners here this morning on the pro-
posed coming system of the Public
Service Railway Company took on a
dual character when an application
was made by the company requesting
a modification of the order of the
board" whereby the seven-cent fare
might be continued after April 1, In
stead of the six-cent fare allowed by
the board In its decision last Septem-
ber. The coming matter, for the time
being at least was laid aside and
argument pro and con on the unex-
pected application Of the Public
Service Company occupied the place
of prominence.
The application of the Public Serv-
ice Company was unexpected by the
municipalities who were not prepared
to combat the request owing to the
lack of sufficient time in which to get
together the necessary data and Sc
cure counsels
Representatives of practically every
municipality in the state through
which the Public Service operators
were present at the hearing, and OBJ
iected strenuously TO the application
of the Public Service Company that
they be permitted to continue the
seven cent fare after April !, until a
settlement on the proposed zoning
system had been reached. The munic-
ipalities had been given no intimation
that this action was to be taken by
the Public Service Company at this
late date as the company has had
the last three months in which to start
this action, II they had contemplated
such. AS a result vigorous demands
for a continuance of the hearing at
later date were made TO the commits
sion by representatives from munich
palities In all parts of the state, re-
quest also being made by the munich
palities that permission be given them
to delve into the books OF the Public
Service Company in order to prove
their case.
Commissioner John w. S1ocum, who
is presiding at the hearing, declared
that the books and records OF the
Utility Commission were at the dis
posal OF the municipalities, but that
1t would be impossible for the com
mission to grant n ruling making IT
possible for the representatives OF
the municipalities to inspect the rec
ords of the Public Service Company.
The commissioners hearing the case
are: John w. Slocum, presiding; AL
fred S. March. George +. Wright, Har-
ny J.. Knight and Andrew Gall. Jr
l.. Edward Hermann appears as coun-
sci for the board. Appearing for the
Public Service are: President Thomas
N McCarter, Vice President Edward
w. Wakele, Chief Counsel Frank Ber--
gen, and Counsel l.. ID. Howard GIL
mour. Representing Perth Amboy
were City Attorney Leo Goldberger,
Prosecutor Joseph Il. Stricken and
Mayor Frank Dorsey.
In opening the session at 10 o'clock
missioner Slocum explained that
on July 10. this year the Public Ser
vice had been requested to submit
a zoning plan and the board had di-
rectcd that copy OF this plan shou!h
be sent to each municipality in order
that It might be studied. The hearing
today he continued, had been called
I'm order 10 allow the company to
make its appeal and TO hear any OBJ
jections from the municipalities. The
board the commissioner stated. had
had its entire traffic force and two
zoning experts. Robert NJ. Fuestel and
Professor Richie, at work on TINS
question.
Mayor Charles p. Gillen. OF this city
started the fireworks when in oppos-
ing the application of the Public Ser
vice Company. he declared: Some
how or other this gang OF PIRATES has
been able to control the courts and
everything else. The people of New
Jersey can't let this gang OF robbers
get away with it any longer"
At this point I'm Mayor Gillen's at
tack on the railway company Com
missioner Slocum asked him IL heI
did not think he should take more
care in expressing himself but the
calling down" faildl to phase Mayor
Gillen in the least. he continuing;
This is an outrageous plan 10 rob
the people of New Jersey and u is
up to US. the Board and the PUBIC
If We are honest men TO get up and
beat this gang of pirates. We. speak
ing for the city of Newark. spent
$40. 900 20 beat this gang and it did
MT amount 10 that (snapping his hng-
ers)."