Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-06
n. ]. UTILITY BOARD
!. ANSWERS CHARGES
Denies MontoIair's Allegations
of Discrimination and Asks
Trial for Zone System
HEARING FOR TOMORROW

Submitting that fair trial of the
zone fare plan was both wise and pru
dent aud asking for just and impartial
consideration by all sides of the diff
culties. the State Board of Public Util
ity Commissioners today at Trenton
filed with Governor Runyon their an
swer to charges made by the board of
commissioners of Montclair alleging
misconduct in Office and neglect of
duty.
The board points out that, if the
system is found impracticable, the right
to make changes can be invoked.
The Governor has set tomorrow at his
Office as the time and place for public
hearing on the charges.
The utility board admits that it did
not complete appraisal and valuation of
the property of the company and its af-
fliated and allied corporations. but de =
MES that the appraisal and valuation of
,..c property is necessary before per-
mitting the sci edule of fares complained
of to become effective.
Denies Discrimination
The board admits that it permitted
cubject to notification schedule or
tariff of rates based on the zone mile
system of fares. The commission also
admit that they did not require the
Public Service Company to comply with
the rates Of fares provided for in the
municipal ordinance or franchise grant
ed by the town and they deny the board
adopted rates of fare discriminating
against the town of Alontclair
The board denies that it failed to hear
and determine whether the rates of fare
under the zone fare system were just
and reasonable, as well as the allegation
that the board approved of unjust, and
unreasonable rates of fare under the
I zone fare system,
Denial is also made by the board OF
the following allegations
That it approved of the Public Service
Railway Company repudiating its con e
tract and franchise with the town OF
Montclair arising from the increase in
! fares permitted by the zone fare sys-
, tenn; that it disrcgarded contracts re-
spccting fares between the Public Serv
ice Railway Company and its sub
salaries and the municipalities of the
state of New Jersey, but complied with
the decisions of the Supreme Court and
the Court of Errors and Appeals re
specting such contracts.
New Tariff Legal Board Holds
The board insists that the action OF
the board in permitting, subject to the
notifications, the schedule or tariff OF
rates to become effective September II
1919, based on the zone mile system OF
fares, was legal and proper exercise
of the discretion of the board.
The answer declares that the Public
Service Railway Company presented
proofs showing increased cost of oper
alton and maintenance and orders from
the war labor board for increased wages
to employees and that therefore addi
tional revenues were necessary to allow
the company to furnish service.
1--WE ask at the hands of the governor
and on the part of the public Just ant
impartial consideration of all the diff
culties with which this subject is beset, ;
| the answer says.
The document was signed by JOIN
w Slocum, president of the utilit,
board, and Commissioners Alfred S
March, George. F. Wright, Andrew
Gaul. Jr., aud Harry l.. Knight ant
former Governor and former United
| stataS Attorney Gpnpral InL, w