The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-08-26

Mayor Wilson yesterday afternoon, | the commission cr.ticizes the present management and offers a solution of the traffic problems of thee ity which will require action by both the Board | of Aldermen and the legislature to !, make it effective. !; In the meantime routes for the tt- ! neys which will keep them off the i streets on which the travel is heavy 1, Is furnished and if adopted by the aldermen will do much toward induc- ing the Connecticut Company to re- sune service in Bridgeport. The Five Cent Fare. The right fare basis depends upon the passengers carried. If an aver age of 150,000 single passenger fares daily within the district were collect ed a five cent unit fare is sufficient. If but 1250oo fares daily. a six cent [ fare is necessary, If 100000 fares daily a seven cent fare is required. In the years 1918 and 1919. according to , the best figures available thus far within t--- city limits. the passenger fares collected ware less than an aV- j craze of eo.ooo daily, and estimating those in the district territory beyond city limits. total average or apout 75,006 daily.
 There are possible combinations Of fare with transfer charges and other combinations, but the correct comol- nation to enact is the one that will yield the greatest number of passen- gers per car mile possible, within the economic fare range.
 These details require several weeks of additional study before conclusive recommendations can be made. We cnnot treat the problem as one t a{1iy, returns keep the lines solvent and pay interest upon investments, because a combi- , nation of high fares and small travel which might do this, will not furnish the city with a proper service.
 The real problem is to find that ad- justrnent which will, while paying for operation, at the same time induce the largest possible travel, and to provide a method for current fixing of fares in proper relation to the volume | of traffic, so that the community de- velouments may keep it's pace for ward. t-+.f
 Cornpany Should Change Methods.
 There are certain important f1nda- mental features concerning Whlch the following comments and recommen- dations. are made:
 As previously mentioned the opera tions of a railway in this district. by officers from without, not in compete and intimate sympathy with the com nunity, has depreciating effect upon public cooperation. It is not des1ra- hIa. to break up the relationship Of tho district to the rest of the state More economical and efficient service can be rendered by combination m one general system. However, the Connecticut Company should make radical changes in it's method or con trol and administration. The Bridge port district. as defined herein, snould be made an independent unit. The accounting system should be rear ranged, and all of it's affairs and op- erations recorded separately from those of the rest of the lines exactly the same as if this district were completely separate system. The cost of doing this will be much less, through handling as unit Of the large system. than by actual separa- ton from the combination.
 The Connecticut company should appoint an executive and manasins officer, carrying title equivalent to that of "Vice President and General Manager" to have headquarters in Bridgeport, and upon whom full re- sponsibinty should rest for all the ac- tivities of the district. He should ne selected with regard for his executive ability and experience In successfuiiy handling similar large affairs, ano identify himself with the city as one of it's citizens interested in its growth
 While now possessing excellent anc sufficient number of cars, at the ear Hest possible date the number of mod ern safety cars should be increased from the present number of 46 to th' number required for the full service on lines where this type of car ha!
 
 ao more such cars being required. l is believed that this addition can D. deferred until 1921, at which t1me th city. or Bridgeport interests mlgh well underwrite a trust fund TOT LII purpose Further large outlays ap pear unnecessary for several yeas.
 At the coming session of the leglsla ture the city should use its inhuenc to secure passage of act. if neces cary providing the Connecticut com pany with authority for operation I11sdoer tired motor buses in serViS complementary to its rail servlc' snch power should be made subjec "a full municipal control as to stand ards of vehicles, service and fare and similar control in every phas should also be made effective cor corning Nall public motor ousses 10 lowing specific routes.
 The authority of the city, to COT +rol fares should require approvi of tariffs. calculated to yield net II come of not less than six per cen md not more than eight per cent legitimate valua tion.
 Each individual or corporatlc o,eratine public motor busses soeci6c routes in the city, shou nav to the city annually an exec tax of 2 per cent. of the gro revenue. This shoud be in lfeu
 any such tax by the state, and
 necessary authority does not now ts+ if should be obtained by leg1sl ton.
 For the proper enforcement of re ufations as recommended. each inc
 viduaI or corporation operating pup
 motor vehicles within the city shou
 be required to file with the city oo
 monthly and annually, sworn sta
 u,an+s on forms to be furnished