Evening star., 1920-04-04
STREET CAR TRAFFIC
SHOWN BY STATISTICS
Figures Given Disprove Claim That Auto
mobile Competition Has Seriously
Affected the Roads Receipts.

an increased fare has been followed
Immediately by a falling Off in traffic
| there is a gradual but continued re-
| turn to the normal number of pas
sengers. financial company inter-
| ested in street car securities. in a
| circular discussing increased fares.
says:
The question involved in most
| cases is Solely the need for an equi-
| table readjustment in the rate of fare
! to offset the decreased value and pur-
| chasing power Of the nickel. In most
cases the street railway is not asking
for an increase in fare in terms Of
commodities. Its needs will be fully
met by the receipt of a fare having a
purchasing power in other commodi-
ties equal to that formerly possessed
by the nickel. The worker whose
wages have been adjusted to meet the
new conditions pays no larger per-
centage of his income for street car
service than heretofore
Legislation Not Expected.
The federal commission will do no
more than report to the President. and
1t is not expected that any national
legislation will be attempted to meet
the difficulties being experienced by
the electric railways. The commission
was organized in a peculiar way to
meet a peculiar need, and with the
exception of Washington, the Ma
tional Capital. the government is not
going to interfere in the matter
oughly.
The appointment of the commission
was sought by street railway owners
and operators everywhere to give
some unanimity and coordination to
much involved situation. Birming-
ham, Ala. might have the same street
car difficulties that had been met and
solved in Seattle, and yet find it out
only by chance. Boston and Los An
geles might be working toward the
same end, and yet be Of no mutual
help to each other. unless as a result
of private initiative.
To remedy this it was asked that
the federal government go into the
needs Of traction systems generally,
and thus form some starting point
for remedial measures, as well as a
clearing house of ways and means.
II street company is seeking re-
adjustment of fares or other changes
it will have much more weight If it
can back up its plea with a federal
report, and If the administration of
city is opposing new charges by
street car company the commissions
findings may be of material assist
ance.
Plea for Higher Fares.
In a general way witnesses who ap-
peared before the commission to dis
cuss failing finances Of street car
lines favored higher fares as tenn
porary measure of relief. even though
such a raise has now and then re-
duced the number Of passengers un-
til the receipts were below the figure
collected under the old rate. Very
general Endorsement was given the
"service-at-cost" plan,. which has
operated successfully in Cleveland.
but which is capable of many modi-
fications. This plan contemplates
high fare until a maximum surplus
capital stock has been paid. when
the fare is automatically reduced.
When the surplus fails to a minimum
figure the fare is automatically
raised.
A zone-fare system, such as is now
being considered in Washington and
other cities. was discussed before the
commission to some extent. and opin-
ion as to it's merits varies widely.
Prof. D. C. Jackson of the Massa-
80
vocated zone fares for all large cit
les w. D. George of the Pittsburgh
Railways Company. said no city could
afford to see a zone-fare system built
up within it's limits because Of it's
disturbing effect on real estate VAL
ues. The testimony in regard to mu-
nicipal ownership was fully as va
ried and inconclusive.