New Britain herald., 1920-01-14

! to be present for several days waiting for other protestants to finish. In our letter of Decembe t2 tC the com m iSSion We stated WoulC 1 confine our objection. to local cond;- lions and raise no objection 10 th+ average advance throughout the state Thlrd and fourth paragra phs of on letter. referred to, stated as follows: from testimony given on Monda y by the officers of the tonnecticnt com - panN. there is little doubt of the ne ceSslty of increased revenue to ma in- tain the trolley service in the st;tte C in healthy condition. If we heard correctly, the statement made hN inc president of the Connecticut company, that the average increase required ii 31 per cent, it would appear that the PIainNille line has been loaded wit h an unproportionate share of this in crease.
 Prior lo Nov. Id the fare from Plain1ille 10 New Britain was cents. it IS now 14 cents. or an increa se of f33 per cent. It is generally known that the Plainvllle llne IS the best pay ing line of the New Britain division and the people of Plainville feel they are forced to carry an unequal share
 
 Verbal testimony was presented at the hearing on Dec. 18th. confined entirely to the question of fares OH the Plaiuville- and New Britain line which seemed to be taken witt 8 great deal of interest by the Public Utilities Com miSsion. If they decide Q that a differential rate applying to cost of operation is practical, instead of the uniform zone or mileage basis now in effect, We believe Plainville will be benefited by a reduction in the rate. A question asked by one of the commissioners was. if d 10 cent flat fare between New Britain and PlainVille would be considered Satisfa ctory to the patrons of this line. The writer stated in his opinion it would be very satisfact orN.
 There seems to be a, firm convic- ton in the minds of the trolley off cialS that a uniform rate Of fare should be csta blished throughout the state regardless of the weight of travel or cost of operation of any individual line. The attorney for the trolley company asked the writer if he be- ieved the diffcrential rate policy would be the best 10 follow in fixing trolley fares When the answer was in the affirmative. he stated it would be d calamity to the state if such a policy is ever adopted for. the req son that a large number of lines would necessarily be discontinued ,ow- ing to lack of revenue to cover oper- atine expenses. The commissioners seemed very much interested in this phase of the subject. as il is un- doubtedly the main issue on which they will have to base their decision. Whether We get relief in the form on whether the decision is based on d uniform mileage rate throughout the state to the opera ting cost of each division or line.
 In summing up the status of the PlainVille protest as submitted. if stands that if q decision is rendered by the Public Utilities Commission that rates will be fixed in proportion to operating cost and not a uniform mileage rate. Plainvillc will un- doubtedly receive the benefit in a re- duction in fare between PlainvilIc and New Britain. but if decision is rendered that il is impractical to eS- 1abliSh varying rates in proportion to cost of operation. We can look for nothing better than the standard mile age rate adopted for all trolley lines operated by the tonnetticuI com pany.'