Evening journal., 1920-04-03
'SIO,SS5,44O in
Trolley PLANT
Continued from FIRST Page.

January III, 1920. was fixed as the
date for completion OF the survey anc
it was agreed that new fare rates
should be fixed on a basis TO allow the
company an per cent. profit on the
value Of Its holdings. with deductions
for operating expenses and improve
ments
AS the survey was unfinished on
January "a the Utility Commission
granted an extension of time.
The survey as now submitted covers
approximately 400 typewriter pages
No action was taken on the findings
last night The report probably will
be considered during the ensuing
month, and a plan of action reported
out at the next meeting Of the COM
mission.
Dr.. c. NJ. Almond, Eighth and Rod
ney streets appeared before the CON-
mission last night and complained of
the noises by poor rails and fiat wheel
ed cars on the West Eighth street
line. ut has been impossible for mem
bers OF my family TO sleep soundly
at night" The doctor stated. "The
pounding of the cars as they ride
over rails that are poorly laid and
Improperly joined can be heard for
several squares. The condition is
steadily becoming worse"
The doctor said the jarring Of the
cars was so bad that It caused plaster
to fall of the walls in his home. He
cited a law In Chester which gives the
police the power TO arrest motor
man who takes a car out of the barn
with flat wheels. "If a private indi-
vidual or an up-to-date business con-
Germ find II necessary to make i'm
provements and has not the cash, IL is
usually borrowed" Or Almond de-
clared. The traction company should
be compelled to get the necessary
money to place its system in good con-
dltion."
Dr. Almonds charges caused the
commission 10 look up the city law
books 10 flnd out what jurisdiction il
had. It was found that the commits
sion has power 10 require public util-
tiles companies 10 comply with the
Stale laws governing such companies" J"
The act creating the commission also
gives 1.-the power to require that pub
Ito utility companies maintain safe
and adequate equipment"
A city ordinance was found which
states that noisy cars are a public
nuisance" The Ordinance defines as
nuisance all excessive and unnec-
essary noises. Under the ordinance
the traction company can be re-
quired to replace cars with nat
wheels within two days and repair
bad rails within five days. The Street
and Sewer Department. is given power
under this ordinance 70 order noisy
cars or the streets.
The commission adopted resolution
to be forwarded 70 the traction COM
pany condemning the conditions exist
ing In various part of the city. request
ing the company to take immediate ac-
ton 10 remedy these conditions. and
asking that a report be submitted be-
fore May outlining the steps taken
by the company to improve Its system.
The breakdown at the electric plant
OF the traction company Thursday
night was criticised by Commissioner
Charles +. Robinson. mo other city
in the country Of Wilmingtons size IS
so badly served in respect TO light and
power as we are. The condition is be-
coming worse. Instead of service we
have inconvenience with great loss TO
and suffering to private citi-
zens."
Commissioner William F. German
took a shot at the Peoples Bus Line,
operating on Sixth street. He said the
bus line was operating on the tracks OF
a competing line and that the buses
frequently broke down and delayed
street cars. II was unfair. Mr. Cor
man said, to find fault with the trac-
ton company II they failed 20 give
service ON Sixth street, when
competing line was operating and
the delays.
Mr. Robinson defended the bus line,
saying that it paid a city tax for each
machine II operated and had as much
right TO use Sixth street as a taxlcab
The bus line complies with the law
governing the operation of such We
hicles in every way, Mr.. Robinson
stated. Mr.. German replied that he
was not opposed TO the buses, but
that he held the line responsible for
some Of the traction company's trou-
bles.