The Penn's Grove record., 1920-12-03
TRENTON FIGHTS
TROLLEY FARES
City Commission and Various
Organizations Are Planning
to Resist Latest Boost.
DECISION WILL BE QUOTED
Foes Of Move Rely or Utility Boards
Ruling That Value of Service Sets
Rate-TroiIey interests Likely
to Put Majority In a Fix.

Trenton.--The City Commission and
labor and civic organizations have be-
gun preparing their battle lines for a
vigorous resistance against the at
tempts by the Trenton & Mercer
County Traction Company to increase
its fare from 7 to 10 cents. Applica-
ton for approval of the proposed in
creas has been filed with the Public
Utility Commission, and a date soon
will be set for a public hearing on the
question of its approval or rejection.
Dissatisfaction with the fare increase
from 8 to 7 cents, with an additional
cent for transfers, granted a year ago,
has been kept constantly alive by the
company's service, and the ~disgruntled
feelings of the patrons of the road
have been intensified by it's latest
move.
1t has been announced that the VAL
uation Commission, authorized by the
present legislature to conduct an in
vestigation of the conditions govern
ing the operation of trolley systems in
New Jersey with a view toward en-
actment of the legislation for the es-
Establishment of equitable rates, will
make an appraisal of the value of the
property of the Trenton & Mercer
County Traction Company. The COM
mission is now determining the value
of the Public Service Railway Com
pany's property, an appropriation of
100000 having been authorized by
the legislature for this purpose. 1t is
probable that this work will be COM
pleted with a balance of about $4,000
remaining from the appropriation, and
this money will be used in conducting
a survey of the Trenton company's
system.
1t Is o than probable that the ap-
plication Of the company will be re-
fused by the Utility Commission, as a
similar petition by the Jersey Central
Traction Company, operating In Mid
dlesex county, met with unfavorable
action in June. In this decision the
commission insisted that the rate
charged must not exceed the value of
the services rendered, regardless Of
losses which are suffered by a utility
which has been inadvisably impru-
IDENTIFY and improvidently built"
Corporation to Float Loans.
An issue Of $4,000 Of the prefer
red stock of the Atlantic City Elec-
trio Company, bearing 6 per cent in
terest, has been approved by the Util-
ity Commission. 1t is proposed to use
100000 Of the proceeds Of the bond
issue for the liquidation Of a like
amount of floating Indebtedness in
Cured to acquire the property Of the
Pleasantville & Shore Electric Com
pany. The balance will be devoted to
payment of a floating Indebtedness re-
sulting from improvements to the COM
pany's plant and equipment subse-
Quent to September 80, 1918.
The board also approved the appli-
cation Of the Public Service Electric
Company for the execution OF a mort
gage for $450,0O0 to the Bankers
Trust Company as trustee, dated Sep
tember 1, 1920, and an issue Of bonds
to the extent Of $450,O0O. An equip
ment trust agreement of the Public
Service Electric Company and the is
suanc hereunder of $1,3 900 Of par
equipment certificates also has been
approved. The agreement Is made
with the Standard Steel Car Company,
Philadelphia Trust Company trustee.
These certificates will bear interest at
8 per cent.
An application has been received by
the Utility Commission for the ap-
proval of an increase In rates by the
Northern New Jersey Gas Company
from $2.O5 a thousand cubic feet to
1926. The company says In its petit
ton that under its present rate it has
lost $4,000 the past four years, and
unless increased are receiv-
ed it will be compelled to abandon its
business.
Chief Justice Gummere announced
the appointment of Justices Black,
Trenchard and Minturn to hear argu-
ment in the quo warranto proceedings
instituted by Attorney General Nc
Gran to compel the members of the
Public Utility Commission who were
removed by Governor Edwards for
neglect of duty and misconduct in of
flee to show by what right they are
continuing to hold their places. The
hearing will take place in the Essex
county courthouse at Newark.
County to Insist Upon Safety.
An order restraining the Public
Service Railway from maintaining its
track at a dangerous level below the
grade of the asphalt roadway at the
Ienola bridge. below Moorestown, will
he sought Immediately by the Burling-
ton County Freeholders as a result of
n decision reached after it was report
cd that two more accidents happened
70 automobiles at that point. Solicit
for Peacock was directed to proceed
In the court of chancery without delay
for the elimination of a dangerous
public nuisance.
The asphalt roadway was begun in
1917 and finished in 1918, and e
s;nce the condition vas created the