The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-09
Purpose of Probe is to De-
termine if Car Company
Should Increase Price of
Fares.
INDICATIONS ARE
INQUIRY BE DRASTIC
Methods of Procedure Were
Tentatively Worked Out
at Meeting of Representa-
tive Citizens Yesterday

The initial step in movement by
the Pensacola Electric Co. to procure
permission to increase far fares on all
authorize them to charge six cents
where five is now collected was taken
yesterday afternoon at meeting OF
representative business men of the city.
called by DIR. l.. DEM. Blocker. presi-
dent of the local chamber of COM
merce at o'clock. at the chamber Of
commerce rooms in the Brent building.
The call for the meeting was sent
out by DIR. Blocker on request by Man
ager ]. II. Holtzclaw. OF the local
branch OF the Stone d Webster com
pany to a committee of six members
of the chamber OF commerce, six citi-
zens of the city at large. six members
of the Rotary club and SIX members
representing the Central Trades Coun-
Gil
The Pensacola Trades and Labor
Council had present their full delega-
tion OF the following six men: James
Scofield w. X. Langford VIM. V. Nc
Neir II. s. Kelley. VIM. T.. Story and
Harry walston.
Representing the chamber of COM
nerce were: Thos. Brent. Judge NJ. @.
Hoffman and Geo. Wentworth. Geo.
Howe. J. $. Bell and l.. NJ. Lively were
not present.
Paui stewart, Frank Taylor, ~ W.
Parker Il. r.. Malone and Harry ur-
ton represented the Rotary club, Geo.
Emmanuel. the other member of the
committee being out OF theacity.
Mayor Frank ID. Sanders and Com
missioner Geo. II. Hinrlchs were pres
ent at the meeting. also Manager
Holtzclaw. of the Electric Co.
DIR. Blocker called the meeting 10
order and stated its purpose. following
which T.. r. Malone was elected chair
man and Johnnie Jones secretary AMI
after a brief discussion of the methods
of procedure and "A statement by Man
ager Holtzclaw OF the Electric Co. Ia
the effect that what his company de-
sired was a through and complete
investigatio of the affairs of the com
pany here during which he quoted sta
tistics to show the increased cost In
operation of the car system he-e.' Sub
committee, or Council of Four" was
named to go thoroughly into the af-
fsi irs of the company with a view to
determining as to whether authority
for a raise in rates should be recon-
mended to the city commission. I'm
p!oyment of an auditor at the com
pany's expense is authorized.
The Council of Four" named to
make the investigation. by Mr.. Malone.
embraces Judge NJ. G. Hoffman. cham
ber of commerce; James ID. Scofield'
Trades Council; Alex Friedman. city AZ
large and Harry Lurton, Rotary cluo.
At a subsequent meeting OF the SUD-
committee Judge Hoffman was namea
as chairman and Johnnie Jones secre-
tary. The meeting of the general com
mfttee was adjourned subject 10 IN"
call of Chairman Malone
The investigating committee. 1t was
understood at the meeting. will, after
completing the probe undertaken which
will no doubt require several weeks.
perhaps months. will report ilrst 10
their respective bodies. following whlfa
report will be made collectively 10 the
General committee and the findings
made public. 1t is indicated that the
investigation viii be drastic one
Company's Claims.
The claims Of the Electric 60. IN
asking for the investigation are brieI
III set forth in the following which is
COPY of Manager Holtzclaw's com
rn',nication TO the chamber of com
r2locker in stating the purpose of the
call:
DIR. /. deM. Blocker.
President Chamber of Commerce,
City.
Dear Sir: For the past year the
Pensacola Electric company has oper-
ated its street railway under condi-
tions of heavily increased expenses ana
an income insufficient to meet, not
only it's fixed charges, but at times in
sufficient to meet actual operating ex-
penses.
Despite these conditions the com
pany has made no effort TO increase
the fare charged, but continued to
keep up services as well as could be
done with facilities at it's disposal
thinking that with the end of the war.
expenses would decrease to a point
where a loss could be avoided
This. however. has not been the case.
To the contrary, we find, with the
reduction of forces at the naval sta
ton Fort Barrancas and the ship pard