Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1920-08-19
STATE GRANTS
RATE INCREASE
Public Utility Commission An
nounces Decision on Appli-
cation of the Railroads.
ANSWER TO COMMUTERS
Consider Greatest Number at
Terminals in Regard to
Fare Across the Borders
ANSWER TO COMMUTERS

BY Special Correspond ant.
TRENTON. Aug. 19-The twenty
percent increase in passenger and
baggage service rates on the rail-
roads and the forty per cent advance
in freight tariffs recently allowed by
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion may be put into effect by the
roads doing business wholly within
the limits New Jersey. the Public
Utility Commission today an
nounced.
I'VE are strongly of the opinion
that It would be most unfortunate Il
the states, assuming they have the
power to do so, should restrict the
general application Of the increases
so they would apply only to trans
portatfon in interstate commerce.
declared the utility board in making
known its decision permitting the
increases to become effective for in
ter-state service.
In disposing of the complaint from
Hudson county that passengers to
points in Jersey City. Hoboken and
Weehawken from inside the state
must buy tickets marked ito New
York" the utility board held that to
entertain the requests for a change
in this policy of the railroad compa-
nies at this time it would be neces-
sary to suspend the increases in
fares charged to those travelling
from other points in New Jersey TO
the Hudson terminals
IF this should be DONE" contin-
ued the decision cit would neces-
state a strict segregation of all pas
sengers travelling to the New Jer-
sey terminals from those going
fhrorrph m Nom Xnrk
There is no question but that If
rates of fare to the terminals ara
made lower than those charged to
New York there would be an unlaw-
full discrimination against the
through passengers, paying fares for
the Interstate journeys. unless such
traffic regulations are imposed that
the holders of the interstate tickets
cannot travel beyond the state with
out the payment of additional fares.
Whether it would be lawful. rea-
sonable and practicable, giving due
regard to the volume of traffic to the
New Jersey terminals and to New
York; the convenience of the pas
sengers and all other elements to be
considered to fix Communication and
other passenger rates to and from
Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehaw-
KEN flOHCE LIltAil lliOoC AOA VI af CA ~
and from New York cannot be deter
mined from the record now before
US
IF those who contend that lower
fares should be charged to the New
Jersey terminals are of the opinion
the board should fix such fares. and
require the carriers to adopt such
plans for segregating the intra-state
from the through passengers, that
intra-state rates may be applied
without violating the federal law,
and desire to be heard further upon
this matter the board will afford
such hearing"
The decision also called atten-
tion to the contention of the South
Jersey Commuters League that
tickets already sold and providing
for a number of trips within speci-
fled periods. the maximum being one
year. should be honored until they
expire, regardless OF the rate in
creases. ~
ut appears that monthly commu-
tation tickets sold will so honored.'
said the utility board. "and that
with respect to tickets extending
over a longer period the policy OF
the railroads has not been deter
mined other than If the tickets are
not honored until the ends of the Pc
RODS for which they were sold. the
holders will be reimbursed for the
unused portions.
The utility board also stated in
this connection that 1t does not ap-
pear, however, that these tickets are
sold for intra-state trips. They ap-
pear to be. for the greater part at
least, sold for trips to and from New
York and Philadelphia and over
such traffic the board has no juris-
diction. Speaking further as to its
sanction of the rate increases Tor
traffic within New Jersey. the utility
board declared:
There is no question as to the
duty of the Interstate Commerce
Commission to adjust rates to afford
a return of not less than five and
one-half per cent on the railway
property of the carriers. If increases
in rates are necessary to do this and
such increases are prevented. by me
exercise of state authority in intra-
state rates then the additional rev.
enue must be obtained from still
further increases in the rates for
TRANSPORTATION between the states.
There is no line of cleavage between
those who reside in state or snip
commodities therein and those VINO
travel. receive or deliver goods In
Interstate commerce
Those who travel within the
state journey also beyond its bor-
ders. Few producers find the mar
ket for their products wholly within
the state. Articles transported In in
ter state commerce. the selling
prices of which reflect the carrying
charges. are in general use. IN
creases in interstate rates to make
up loss of revenue from inadequate
intra-state rates would affect all.
The utility board directs in its
decision to the general railroad act
OF 1903 which provides that rail-
roads incorporated under that act
shall not charge In excess Of three
cents per mile and railroads organ
lied under special charter not more
than three and one-half cents per
mile. With few and unimportant ex-
ceptions. the passenger carrying rail-
roads were all Incorporated before
the passage OF the 1903 act. Under
the 1908 statute. therefore. the three
and one-half cent rate would be the
prescribed under the state
law.
IAN increase OF twenty per cent.
In existing rates will make the rate
of fare. exclusive of commutation
and other special rates, three ana
fContinued on page 80