Norwich bulletin., 1919-03-19

necticut company they would be in the
hands of a receiver.
In two years, said President Perkins,
the Shore Line company has run up
deficit of S6SS0O0, and this had been
brought about by the effort to fulfill
it's obligations to the public. The
fares have been raised to the limit,
he believed, but the company has now
proposed a reduction, the first instance
where trolley company ever proposed
to q public utilities commission that
fares should be reduced
Without constructive aid from the
state, continued President Perkins, the
roads will not be out of their dilemma
Relief from taxation will not be enough
for to continue to operate it will be
necessary to contribute out of the
funds of the state. Unless the people
see this necessity of helping the trolley
roads. the prospects are good for the
abandonment of all roads operating on
an hourly schedule.
In Waterbury the situGt;cn is the
SINE as here said President Perkins,
He does not telieve it viii lie possible
to reduce operating expenses for the
year 1919. Labor bills, which are 60
Ter cent. of operating expenses. are
l!rger than ever. Fuel - the other
tie expense item and this is larger
than ever
Mr.. Perkins pointed GU! that lend
, ing money to the roads under these
circumstance would be Ike lending
to a spendthrift. You wouldn't be
helping him, tut only br putting. kim
deeper into Gebt. On property
valuation of $12, 500 ,0G0. :he Shore Line
has earned III the past wear a little
under $4,000. Its taxes are $68,000.
That removes all question as to wa
tering. This condition IS universal
with trolley roads. The Bay State
il Massachusetts made S12.Gn0 on a
valuation of GO millions Miles suf
road in Massachusetts lave been
abandoned md it is under considera-
ton whether TO scrap $50 miles out
Of the $50 COW under 2he control OF
receivers. Pittsburgh Me1nrhis. New
! Orleans and Brooklyn are oil in re
ccivers' hands. 1t is question to be
considered whether the scrapping OF
niles of trStkage wilt not be a Sc
rious disturbance to social, economic
and Industrial condition.
| In reply to a question from Mayor
| Desmond about the situation in Bos-
| ton. Mr.. Perkins said the state was
| operating the Boston elevated IFlCt
rally meant about 400 miles Of track
age. elevated, surface ana under
ground. The fare Is cents and the
| operating cost per passenger was s.
cents in the hest months Of the year
! Alderman u R Waters said it seem
ed hard after what Mr.. Perkins had sale
! TO direct the road 10 20 ahead witt
the work. but he felt it his duty t.
do so, and he moved the passage o
such a resolution. It was unani-
roously passed.
The second part of the meeting pass
ed resolution regarding the widening
of Second street between Central av
elue and North Main street accordin.
&c petition presented by the She
Itucket Co. There was no appearance
on behalf of the ShetucNat compan,
a>:d the resolution WAS PASSED. I
provided for the openins OF the stree
/ 90 public travel by April Sth.
n petition from William L. Bale,
Tor establishment OF the grade o.
the northerly side of Bath street wa
referred to the public works commit
tee. and a petition from Frank j. Kin
and others Of the Cnau.b bet 70 Com
morce for permission to q act a TEN
; Forary freight shed on Morgan
!. harf TO the fire commissioners wit
power.
! The meeting adjourned al SIS.