The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-24
OPPOSITION 70
INCREASED FARE

That the Virginia Railway and
Power company will have fight on
it's hands when the petition for in,-
creased fares and a transfer charge
comes up before the city council was
made certain yesterday when State
Commissioner of Labor John Hirsch.
berg, acting for the Richmond Trades
and Labor Council OF Richmond. filed
a communication with the streets
committee demanding a full investi-
cation of the company's assets before
the petition is considered
The letter states that, while the
company's valuation O., it's properties
is $4,000, 900, conservative estimates
place the actual valuation at less than
$40 900. 600, He says tho people are
willing to pay the increase asked for
If it can be successfully demonstrated
that such increase is necessary to
meet the Increased cost of material
and labor.
The. investigation asked for is in
line with the stand taken by Alderman
ordway Fuller when the petition was
discussed by the streets committee.
Mr.. Fuller set a date for consideration
Of the petition, at which time the
company was to inform the commit
tee il 1t was willing TO stand the ex-
pense Of an investigation by experts
The suggestion OF the commissioner
of labor is that Director OF Public
Utilities Trafford be authorized 70
make the valuation. This was consid-
cred by the committee but discarded.
The concensus of opinion being that
the task should be handled by ex
perts.
The requests OF the commissioner,
who says he represents 5000 people
OF this city, are as follows
There has recently been fled with
the council by the Virginia Railway
and Power company a petition for an
increase in street railway fares over
the lines Of said company within the
corporate limits of this city. The
rates requested are for a six cent
straight fare, two cents for the first
tranafer and for the second transfer
an additional two cents, making In the
aggregate with two transfers ten
certs
ON behalf of the Central Trades
and Labor Council OF Richmond. vir-
ginia. representing some sixteen
thousand Cl6 o00) citizens, who with
/ their families number about e;gntr
thousand 100000 people. or one-ha.f
OF the population of our city. l re-
spectfully protest against the grant
ing or the serious consideration of
| the request contained in said petition
until such time as the following in
/ formation has been secured
Il. The valuation of the properties
OF the Virginia Railway and Power
company, necessary to the operation
OF the street railway lines of said
I company situated within the corpor-
ate limits of the city of Richmond and
running out Of said city
2. Names of all holders OF bonds
and stocks tpreferred and conmon)
In the said corporation, with the
amount OF each class. held BY each
such person
&. The names OF all parties or per
sons entitled 10 or receiving free
, transportation.
u. Names of all officers and of all
attorneys. agents physicians. or other
/ than the regular employees Of the
company. with the amounts paid each
! of such persons during the year 1918
-. The amount paid in wages TO
! the CLASSIFIED employees during the
year 1915
S. Gross earnings. operating ex-
pensee, amounts paid in dividends on
stock and interest on bonds. etc
-. Such other information as the
/ com nlittee in its judgment may deem
necessary"