New-York tribune., 1919-07-23
Unless Something Is Done
for Them Quickly They
Will C ease to Operate,
Ue 7 e ii S Commission
Says People Would Agree
Some High Authority Mus,
Authorize Increase in Or
der to Satisfy the Public
NeaU York Tribune 6
Wrehirc+on P,f-er,t

WASHINGTON, July 22.-Job E.
Hedges, receiver of the New York Rail
ways Company, told the Federal Elec-
trio Railways Commission to-day that
unless "some high authority" author
ICES an increase in streetcar fares the
companies cannot continue to operate
They are going by the board un-
less something is done for them quick
ly," he said. "They will cease TO be a
part of community life entirely"
Mr.. Hedges believed that the public
would accept increased fares with good
grace if some government authority,
like the Federal Electric Railways Com
mission, which was named by the Pres
ident to investigate the electric rail-
way crisis, announced that the advances
were justified
He said he had a theory that the
present high costs of labor and ma
terials would not be permanent, but re-
fused to venture a prediction on how
long present prices would last.
Commissioner Sweet, vice-chairman
Of the commission, reminded Mr.
Hedges that former President Taft
while member of the War Labor
Board, had said something must be
done to give the street railways relief
Former President Taft took the po-
sitlon," he said, that something must
be done to permit the street railroads
throughout the country to continue
He also said that expenses could not
be reduced and considered present
high operating costs rather permanent.
What do you Think"
He Fy0lainS Njph Prices
II modestly differ as to the period
OF time before we may recover said
Mr.. Hedges. Everything has in
creased in cost. l think prices are in
hated as a result of the war plus an
added amount imposed on the pur-
chaser who does not know what an ar
ticle should cost. We are still max
ing the war an excuse for prices.
think the prices of materials and the
/ price of wages forced each other up;
| don't know which took the first step
THE period Of recovery and the
restoration of the purchasing power
Of the dollar depend upon the cour-
age of intellectual men in discussing
things as they are"
Mr.. Hedges said he thought telling
the facts to the American people would
show that there vs. such a thing as
American justice between an imper-
sonal thing like corporation and a
human being."'
Mr.. Hedges said he believed if the
electric railway commission now sitting
should recommend higher fares and
picture the situation as it exists, the
public generally would be fair and
acquiesce. The public, he observed,
is becoming more and more respectful
Of facts and opinions reflected from
the seat Of the national government.
The cities themselves, Mr.. Hedges said,
could meet the situation temporarily y
by amending franchises and permit
ting higher fares. which would later
be justified py public opinion and the
investigation now in progress in Wash
lngton.
Explains City Authorities
Discussing the hesitancy of city au-
thorities and politicians in meeting
conditions as they exist, Mr. Hedges
said
1.-The proposition is to find mind
and a spine that will synchronize.
Commenting on certain types of pub
lie officials, politicians and kickers, he
said
The breathing Of self-manufactured
incense is one of our best outdoor
sports to-day. The headlines destroy
more men than obituary notices."
=
United States Chamber of Commerce,
expressed the opinion that the financial
situation of the street railways is the
most acute internal problem confront
ing the nation.
~ think" said Mr.. Ferguson, that
the business judgment of the country
is that the situation of the street rail
ways is critical and one that must re-
ceive attention as soon as possible on
account of the enormous values in
volved 1t is one Of the most impor-
tant matters before the country"
He said he believed the proposition
that streetcar fares must be increas ed
was elf-demonstrated, since every
thing else had gone up in price, and
there is no miracle in the strcetcar
business to make the nickel do more
than its share. He said in his own case
he had found that where the necessity
Of increased revenue had been ex-
planned to the men, although they did
not like to pay it, they were putting
up with 1t in good spirit.
Eve have found,' he said, that they
want to do what is right and fair. 1t
does seem to me that where the facts
it will be found in general that ma
jority of the people want to do what
is fair and right
Responding to the questions by Com
missioner Gadsden, Mr. Ferguson said
he did not believe the level of wages
in this country Will fall for some
time.
Months or years ~ asked Mr.. Gads-
den.
Years" he answered. "Any tendency
exhibited recently has been upward and