Evening journal., 1920-07-10
.TELLSOF need
OF Eight CENT
FARE At once
lConiinued from First page.) J

Continued from First page)
at once, as the company has a,lost
reached The last ditch. He explained
that the traction company lad re-
Q quested the right TO increase fares
in September Of last year and last
March, at the request Of the Utilities
Commission, had paid between si5,-
600 and $4,000 10 Drumm and Com
pany OF Chicago. railway appraisers
for an accounting Of the local trao-
tion comnanys system
Mr.. Gray presented an iiemized list
Of The principal materials used by the
Traction Company, showing increases
in prices ranging from 100 TO 100 per
cent over last years figures This
list did not include roat. which Mr..
Gray said sold at So a year ago and is
now selling at more than $40 a ton
and is scarce at that figure
Perhaps you need further time TO
consider this request" said Mr.. Gray,
but | am going 10 suggest that you
do your duty. Public officials are
called on at times 10 perform dis
tasteful duties and ] don't think you
gentlemen Will forget your oath of
office"
Mr. Gray explained that he, as at
iorney general, some years ago had
distasteiul duties 10 perform. IL was
at this point that Mr. Gray made his
plea for urgent action saying.
Take action now We are almost
out Qf coal, and you must realize this
pressing need Give us a decision. but
II you prefer a further hearing we
VIII be glad 10 appear before you un-
III you are satisfied yes, every night
II necessary"
Walter Brinton. one Of the commits
sioners. replied 10 Mr.. Gray. saying:
This board does not wish to appear
discoureous. We want to do our
duty, but II you have lived up TO tho
contract submitted by you last Oc-
tober, wouldn't you think you bad The
right TO increase the fares 2"
Mr.. Gray said that frankly speak
ing he did not think the company had
the right under The charters OF the
various companies operating here TO
increase fares and the courts had so
held. II is up to the commmission DO
fix the fare when II goes above 3
cents, he said
Mr. Brnion asked Mr.. Gray II he
doubted The accuracy OF the report OF
Drumm and Company, saying 10 was
intricate. Mr. Gray said he had not
read 10. but II the commission Thought
70 was high In valuation or wrong In
any sense he would suggest that the
commission send for the representa-
tINes of the company and examine
them. The commission selected
nrumm and Company 10 make the
appraisal and we paid for it, he
added
William II. German. OF the Utilities
Commission, said II the statement that
cent fare was necessary the COM
pany should ask the public to donate
The difference between cents and Q
cents. Mr. German said the appraisal
of the railway company's property
was made at a time when prices were
high. Mr.. Gray Informed him that the
commission had power TO lower
rates as wen as 20 increase them, and
10 prices of materials dropped next
year the rate could be lowered.
Mr. Gorman said that he thought
the appraisal was fair except in some
Instances, and " 10 was gone over 10
might be able for the Company 10
carry pass ngers at less than an eight
Mr. Gray said that the commission
had lh report In It's possession for
the nasi four months and so FAR he
had heard no criticism against any
fare Increase. the paihlic appearing to|
think that the COMPANY should bel
treated fairly
OF the company took The noor to|
answer some statements Of Mr.. Cor
man concerning Increased costs. The
great cXpensf OF railway Is in iis
IL NNHINaIn lNlNNH NInI
referred 10 the decision Of the lnt'r-
stale Commerce Commission TO grant
the steam roads a thirty per cent. in
crease I'm freight rates
This incr ase Is In addition 10 that
granted last year. Mr.. Wilson said.
1--WE are under very similar expenses
our position Is the same as the steQm
roads We must continually rebuild
and procure later equipment
The motion 10 adjourn TO meet al
the call Of thee chairman was Then
prior to the meeting Secretary
Stetser OF the commission auuonc-l
ed that no word had been received
from City solicitor John w. Huxley,
Jr, requesting the commission TO
The fact that the fare question was
TO be discussed by the Utilities Com
mission while generally known at
iracted but two or three private citi-
zens. but several officials OF the Trac-
iion Company were in attendance.
Officials Of the Traction Company
at the close Of the meeting cited their
coal bills According 10 their books
their coal supply prior 10 the war
cost $4,000 a month Last fan the
same supply cost $4,000 a month and
now the coal costs $4,000 a month
70 was explained that the company
used about 260 tons daily.
During the meeting Tho Utilities
Commission received and ordered nled
The monthly financial statement Of the
Wilmington Gas Company. showing a
surplus FOR the month Of May amount
ing 90 Si,Tl152. The summarized re
port was as follows:
Total revenue, S79967. 26: total
holder cost, S32,35i75; oil tar pro
duced, Si,6o663; net cost in holder.
S3069Si2; total transportation and
distribution expense. S6,963O9: total
Office expenses. taxes and deprecia-
ton Si90i5.0i; total burner cost, $685.
Net earnings. s23.29i o.: interest on
bonds siO,s79i7 interest on notes.
81 1898, interest on preferred stock.
s6.20i; total. SiS5i3 So. surplus for
month Of May. Si,Tl7.52