Evening journal., 1920-11-24
MOVE To help
TROLLEY Lines
Referendum Vote Arranged
on Proposals for I'M
provement
u. S. CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE PLAN

WASHINGTON n. C., Nov. 2i. - A
referendum vote on proposals for
Improvement Of the situation OF the
cOuntry's street railway lines was
asked today or the membership OF
The Chamber OF Commerce OF the
United States. The recommendations
on which the billOt will be cast are
advanced by the chambers Commit
tee on Public Utilities. They are
eight In number and read:
l. Existing traction facilities should
be conserved
,. The attitude now taken toward
street railway problems should be
based upon the present and future
needs Of the community
3 The attitude which Is taken
toward street railway problems should
contemplate private ownership and
operation.
a. Regulation should everywhere
be Instituted that will promptly fol-
low changes in the situation Of the
companies rendering services Of local
transportation.
.. Provision should be made against
the consequences OF unfair competi-
tion.
G. All burdens unrelated TO the
service performed should be removed
from street railways.
Z Oticial responsibility should bg
definitely fixed for the application Of
regulation.
s. Each company should seek 10
have available for the public at all
times the facts as TO the results Of
operation, and should have resident
responsible executives wholly con-
versant with local requirements.
This Is the thirty-third referendum
taken OF the chambers membership.
The referendum method is used by
the chamber as a means OF obtaining
the cOnceusus OF business opinion on
public questions. With each ballot
put out. there goes the report Of the
committee making the recommends
lions, and In addition extensive ref
crences 10 arguments in the negative.
A summary OF the committees re-
port is given in part as follows:
"rhe Federal Commission found
that The electric railway industry is
e without financial credit and Is not
performing properly its public func-
ton. The commission concludes that
the first essential is 20 restore credit
Q 20 our street railways. in order that
they obtain necessary new capital for
the extension and Improvement OF
service. In this finding and cOnclu-
sion your committee cOncurs and II
recommends lIlal as lut uI.b rltN li
bringing about this result existing
traction facilities should be con
served The attitude taken toward
them by the public should be con
structve, and not destructive. The
point of view must be that lOca
transportation is an industry TO be
i0siered and developed. with ampl,
provision for correcting abuses anC
for preventing any one from iakinl
unfair advantage Of the public atti.
tude
In the United States, one grea
s cause for public Indifference TO th'
situation Of local street railways liei
in widespread belief that in the
earlier history Of many traction com
panies there was financial misman
agement Even in cases where thil
has been the fact, however, it be
. comes relatively unimpOrtant at thi
time, inasmuch as the problem should
be approached from the point OF view
of the value OF the property used fol
= the public service rather than from
the point Of view OF the outstanding
securities. II 10 be conceded that thl
, public interest Is TO obtain good serv
Ice at lowest cost and that street rail
ways are essential and necessary
then the sensible way 10 deal viii
the problem is TO permit existing or
CARNATIONS and present properties L
earn a sufficient sum over their Op
Grating expense TO induce investmen