The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-04-08
COMMISSION TO
RAISE CAR FARE


advanced to six cents Monday evening
in an order handed down by the Wis
consin State Railway commission
authorizing the Wisconsin Gas &
Electric company to charge six cents
fare for each adult ticket and direct
ing that tickets be sold on the cars
at the rate of nine for fifty cents.
The company was also authorized to
raise the rates on childran's fares
from two for FIVE cents to three cents
each. The order, copies of which have
been sent to City Attorney. John G.
Slater, is to become effective at once,
and to remain in effect until July 81.
The order is preceded by an exhaust
4 i've report made by the commission on
the street railway situation in Kenosha
which clearly suggests that the in
crease in rates is the first step to be
taken in securing adequate transpor-
tation service for Kenosha. While the
company is not ordered to make ex-
tensions, it is intimated that in the
event steps are not taken to make the
! extension suggested, the increase in
fares may be revoked at the end Of the
present period. The order also ap-
proves the late reward Of the Board
of Cancellation for total increase of
wages for the employees amounting to
more than $4,000 annually.
The increase in fares was brought
before the commission in considering
this report Of the board of concilia-
ton, all provisions of which were en-
dorsed and the revision of tariffs made
to provide revenue to meet the award.
Points Towards Extensions.
In handing down the order, the COM
mission very carefully points out that
the increase is expected to bring i'm
mediate action from the company
along the lines of extending the street
car tracks in Kenosha so as to give
transportation service to districts not
now served and to make more frequent
service on the present system of the
company. The commission states that
while it is mot called on now to de-
termine definitely the additions which
should be made to the system in Keno
sha," it is evident that many extensions
are now needed. 1t declares that one
Of the conditions which has made it
hard to decide the request for fare
increase in Kenosha has been that "the
company has failed to meet the public
demand for service" and for this reason
is not entitled to great deal of con-
sideration.
The suggestions show that the COM
mission has made an extensive study
of transportation conditions here and
has now under way plans for provid-
ing transportation service which will
care for the growing needs of Kenosha.
New Lines Are Suggested.
The program which the introduction
to the order outlines provides for dou-
BILE tracking enough to insure better
service for the present lines in Keno
sha and new tracks to serve all of
the recently built districts in Kenosha.
The following improvements and ex-
tensions SHOULD be provided now
according to the commission:
North Main street and Milwaukee
avenue: Additional tracks from Market
Square to Middle street. The company
is granted the right to have single
tracks across the bridge until the new
bridge shall have been completed.
Build passing tracks between Lemon
and Broad streets; also extend passing
track north of Limit street.
South street: Additional tracks from
Main street to Sheridan road
Sheridan road: Additional tracks
from South street to Elizabeth street
and passing tracks bstween Strong
street and Park Row.
Elizabeth street: Additional tracks
from Sheridan road to Rowland ave-
nue..
Rowland avenue: Construct single
tracks from Elizabeth street to Les
ter street.
1 Market street: Additional tracks
from Market Square to West Main
street will be necessary. At Prairie
avenue construct single tracks west
on Prairie avenue to Norman avenue.
Superior and Salem: Extend Eliza
beth street line by means of single
track on Superior and Salem streets
to Fifth avenue.
Grand avenue: Build passing tracks
between Rice avenue and Ridge
streets.
Rowland avenue: Construct single
tracks from Grand avenue to Albers
street.
+ 1t is also added that of coure tad
ditional equipment will also be neces-
sary to furnish more frequent SER
vice"
Expects Company to Act.
These suggestions were followed by
an intimation that in the event that
the company, after the increase in
fares had been allowed, continued to
fail to make extensions, the increase
might be revoked.
The formal order closes the memo
randum and reads as follows: 1T is
further ordered that for the present
for each adult fare the Kenosha Rail-
way System of the Wisconsin Gas G.
Electric company, such company be
and is hereby authorized to substi-
tute the following cash and ticket
fares: Cash fare, cents; tickets to
be sold on cars at the rate of for so
cents; for children's fare, Eow cents,
or two rides for cents, the cash fare
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