The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-11-10
CAR COMPANY
hbANDONS CITY
Remarkable Situation in To-
ledo Follow. Custer Vote
By the Citizens

TOLEDO. Nov 9.-Car riders who last
Tuesday voted for an custer, ordering
rhc street cars from the streets because
they were paying six and eight cents
O travel to and from their work. today
we're paying from ton 10 twenty-five
~ents in automobiles buses OF which
here was an abundance.
The Toledo Railways and Light COM
p,ny began last night to spirit the cars
OUT OF the city until not vehicle with
wheels under il was left within tn" lur-
,sd!ction Of the city officials who were
responsible for the Caster ordinance
passed last urc being submitted to the
people.
Mayor Cornell Schroeder himself intro
3uced the ordinance when tho company
increased the fares from cents to six
>cnts and two cents for 4 transfer TO
AXE care Of en- increase in carInen's
wages.
The cars were removed without notice
TO public and city officials alike. All
were taken into Michigan and stored on
side tracks The action was taken i'm
nediatciy after official notification was
given tho. company by the board OF cleo
lions that the custer ordinance had been
approved by the voters.
Dohsrty's Statement.
Officials OF the street car company. or
which Henry l. DohcrtE. New York. ~
the head. gave II out tonight that cars
are not to be operated here until n per
maneat settlement has been reached or
s assured"
All interurban cars are being turned
pack at the city limits.
Mr. Doherty today authorized the fol.
lowing statement:
''weShAyc given careful consideration
10 the situation which now confronts us.
and have concluded that 20 operate in
spite OF this orinanC" is not proper
observance OF lay and order. and sub
jects IT 20 many grave dangers. We
nave. lheTcforc. decided to cease opera
tiouS'.
Mayor Schreibcr called n meeting or
his cabinet today and placed the blame
for the lack Of street car transportation
IN Frank r. Coates, representative pres
idcns OF the operating company. The
mayor declared that President Coates
broke Il gentleman's agreement with
he mayor that the cars would not stop
-rnnins until tho city officially notified
he company 20 cease operating.
Mayors Statement.
The Mayors statement follows:
'Th" c"mpany'S midnight removal OF
is cars without even moments warn
ing 70 either tho city or the public will
not appeal 70 any one. not even TO the
>ompany's friends. II was an act typical
Jf the hour selected for is per|ormance.
Ny understanding with President
Coates last Wednesday was that the cars
should continue to operate until notifi-
-ation from the city that th?ir operation
should cease. The city has given no
sucn notice Tho action of the company
therefore IS plain breach ot faith.
"It will in due time receive the reward
Il merits.
II presume that tho company's object
ia 10 attempt TO compel the council to
repeal the custer ordinance which the
people approved at the recent election.
Tho method which the company selected
in its efforts 10 bring about that result
will not be graciously met in the public
min.
The company's breach OF faith will
receive the public condemnation which il
deserves.
Last card To Come.
1T is just such acts as this that have
brought public service corporations into
ii<favor and caused tho public 20 view
with suspicion whatever claims public
utilities may advance.
The last card. however has not yet
been pleyed. The public is not helpless
and the rights OF the public will be fully
protected.
I'm tho meantime this is an appeal TO
all truck owners. jtney bus owners. au-
tomobils owners. factory owners and