Arizona republican., 1920-11-13
Street Railways


 a meeting in Washington on "Wednesday of this week of street railway and public utilities uaissioners described experience" meeting, subject of railway discussed the commissioners generally favoring revisons upward Consideration also given to the matter of dis eliminating between occasional and regular patrons the By the occasional patron is meant the person who the street ears only when his automobile or other conveyance account of the weather other is out of commission He is the patron completes the peak load. With that kind of patrons alone street railway could exist. It would. therefore, proper to tax him norc heavily. something that could be accomplished by The sale of monthly tickets at reduction from the cash fare
 Another matter before the meeting the forccnent of service standards, and there think, street railway companies may begin with profit to rid themselves of their troubles. Many street car companies are in dsrepute of the miserable service shey thus, they to lack the sympathy public in their unavoidable troubles those resulting from conditions which they cannot control
 When one stands on a street corner for period ranging from twenty minutes to three quarters of hour waiting for a which does not come; or when he comes his corner and learns that his has passed ahead of time; when he finds himself wcdred into a car where there is not standing
 
 vice. or. when day. after day. he finds himself the victim of pieces schedule and then either walks throws himself the untender mercies the driver he opposes any form of relief for the street car company from which he has suffered, such as increased fares. on the ground that pany giving the sort of service of which he com plains Is undcserving consideration.
 For some years. street railway companies. a rule have not been prosperous Some of the causes. we think the most of them have been of their own making ovcr-capitalization loading themselves with bonded indebtedness; disregard the public seek ing tho favor of municipal governments rather than the good win of the people who make up tho govern mcnss; expecting make their profits out stock iobbing and out of their earnings. In company operation is secondary matter
 For some years. until comparatively recently majority Of the street railways this country though maintaining fair looked their legiti- earnings for than to secret methods of crcating dividends. Then the automobile along and cut such hole into the nadequateIy considered legitimate patronage make the street car owners take notice.
 The jtney service then organized in many places and the avidity with which the public gener ally welcomed it testimony the attitude of the people toward the railway companies. The jitncy service. after all. only symptom of the popular dissatisfaction with the service the street railways giving It found field the cities and towns where there was a reasonable service In others generally by the authorities partly because it wanting in responsibility and partly because it destructive the interests ot the street railways which it was hoped their owners once awakened would take means, themselves tc protect.
 What a reformed and wisely conducted street rail- way system can do when legitimate business principles has been illustrated Cleveland Ohio. Il took its upward start in turmoil when Mayor Tom Johnson began it and demanded & 8 cent fare. After some years arrangement mad between the owners and the city whereby Cleveland has been given the best street service in tn United States The system is one of which ever Cleveiander speaks with pride
 The arrangement was that the actual valuation of the system should be determined on that the com rany was be allowed cent If that could b made out Of the earnings. well and good; any surpu was Co so the city and any deficit to be mad up by tho city. In return, the company was bound render certain. specified high service.
 On that plan the Cleveland street railway syster has been conducted for years The fare agree upon was cents. When couple of years stree railway companies were camoring increased fare on account higher of labor the highe cost Of materials. and increased fares allowe n many cities 7 and 10 cents, Cleveland too stock of the local situation and decided an ir crease was unnecessary.
 We believe that in any city which needs stre railway system. street railway whose recor rze that the true function the railway is rend service to the public. and not to vehicle f bonded debts and capitalization, be ma' profitable.
 Who Is to Judge7