Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-18

men, 10 tie Bay State pubic cor:rv.
act to provide tina: the arst i've cent?
of the cost Of the servic. per passenger
shall De paid by IN, se-e.t car rider.
and that any costs beyond ;hat amour:
rider and 20 per sent IL general TAXA
ton Of the communities ser"es
The total deficit d tie Bay sat. :or
1913 is reported as &e,sls.seo and the e.-
tin1ated deficit for tkis year is s1.si1 100
The report on tho general sitlarioE.
argues tina, street railways are o. great
community beneE. wn.ci: can De m.as-
tired by the lo2seS 10 Industry. trade.
real estate values and other forms OF
community wealth L all stree: railway
facilities were suj:snl! elected cut.
For this benefit, up to the present.
says the report. the community has
paid nothing and has succeeded no.
only IN unloading its legitimate part Of
the transportation burden upon the
shoulders OF the car rider. bit also n
making him pay. in addition. a portion
Of cost of general municipal improve
mests''
II is declared that street railway
companies lin order to obtain loca-
tons for double track or re-iocations
Of existing tracks for more efficient
operation. have cajoled or coerced
by tire local authorities TO contribute
to the cost of municipal improve
men,s by performing work upon the
streets which the statutes do not re-
Quire Or even contemplate
The only justification Of the ex-
listing system" the repor, continues.
lis the fact that the burden is so
widely distributed that fares in the
part have been relatively low and
their payment involved no special
hardship. But when the car riders
are compelled. as a large proportion
OF them TOW are. through reductions
III fare zones and increases in the
unit OF fare. to pay increases Of fare
varying from 100 to 400 Per cent. the
inequality of the present system IS
thrown into strong relief. Tie burden
Is one that the carrier not only ought
not 10 pay. but broadly speaking, can
not pay under present economic con-
di,ions
TIE stake of the community in
good transportation facilities Is 50
large and the menace TO community
interests in the present situation is 20
grave that any plan involving a rel
acTely small! community cortribu-
ton which will preserve our street
railway facilities in full and efficient
operation is to be operated as a ben
eft rather than burden from the
standpoint of the community itself.
and those who have the largest bust
ness and property interests in the
city and towns affected should be
most active. as they are the most in
Ierested. in bringing about sue!
solution.
The plan we have suggested is no-
intended TO he permanent. but mere
~ measure for tiding over the
present emergency. Tie legislation
suggested is therefore 10 be effective
only until December 81. 1922
The report is signed by Commits
sioners Frederick J. aIcLead and Ev-
erett E. Stone. 4 separate state
nent Of views is presented by Com
missioner Joseph 8. Eastman. who
was recently appointed a member Of
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and was unable to assis, in the
preparation Of the report The re-
port endorses Mr. Eastuan's draft o.
a proposed hill which he says will
make possible acquisition Of street
railway properties by tie common
wealth under certain conditions
Mr.. Eastman says that a plan 81
public acquisition ought not TO he
forced upon community agains, lis
will and the other Eliniss:orers in
approving the proposed bill say tha-
they do because the legislation Sug-
gested is merely passive"