The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-03-18

road commission are coming to Ken
osha tomorrow to hear about Kenosha
street railway troubles. 1t is expect
ed that John S. Allen, chairman of the
commission will conduct the hearing
which is set for the council chamber
at the city hall at ten o'clock and while
the hearing is called technically to
permit the commission to decide on
an award of higher wages made to
street railway workers by the state
board of concilliation it is in reality
hearing to decide just what rate is
to be charged for fare in Kenosha, and
whether the commission will require
the company to collect this rate
of fare. 1t is regarded as the most i'm
portant hearing ever held by the com
mission in Kenosha, as it is expected
to bring before the commission the
demands of Kenosha for extended
street railway service.
Mayor and Attorney Ready.
The mayor Of the city, City Attorney
John G. Slater and the members
of the transportation committee Of the
figures and maps to the commission
to show what Kenosha demands in the
way Of street railway service. Mayor
Joachim will ask the commission to
analyze carefully the amount of the in
creased wage with view of determ-
ming whether or not any change in
Che rates of fare now charged in the
city is necessary. 1t is expected that
the committee will place before Com
snissioner Allen and his engineers
suggestions for the extension of the
Aines with view of meeting some of
che immediate demands of the city as
well as looking to the ultimate de-
msnds of the future.
II is not expected that the street
railway company's officials will sug-
gest the making Of any change in the
present routes of the street railway
company but some suggestion may be
made for double tracking lines with
view Of giving better service on pre-.
sent lines without any great e.pendi-
ture on the part of the company.
Company Hopes For Sale.
The company is still nursing the
hope that the street railway lines may
some time be sold to the city of Ken
osha and for this reason the company
has showed that it was admitted a.:f
has showed that it was shy of making
any considerable extensions of the
line 1t is admitted willingness to
put on motor bus service but this SER
vice has not proven acceptable to the
people and operation of such trans
portation vehicles have not been pro-
fitable to the company. The people
seem to demand street cars.
1t is possible that the question of
the use of the Safety" cars will be
laid before the commission as one Of
the ways of reduction Of costs in Ken
osha Kenosha has not as yet invest
igated such cars and there is no way
for the officials to make decision on
them. The cars are now in operation
in many cities of the nation and it is
possible that the commission may de-
eide that the operation of these cars
with smaller crews is the best solution
for Kenosha.
Company Likes Idea.
There is no doubt but that the safe
ty car plan has appealed strongly to
officials of the company and they have
shown a willingness to have the Ken
osha city officials investigate this
type Of car. 1t is admitted that the
cost of installing the new cars would
be considerable. The present cars in
use would have to be taken to some
other city for use and it is probable
that large number of the safety cars
would be demanded to take care of the
present traffic in the city.
Expect Organization.
It is expected that members of q
humber of Kenosha civic organiza-
ons including the Kiwanis Club, the
Chamber of Commerce and the Keno
lha Retailers association will be pres
INT at the hearing and letters invit-
Ing opinions on the situation have
Aeen sent by the commission to lead
hg manufacturers of the city and as
hey are vitality interested in the
transportation problem it is expected
that a number of them will be present
and offer some suggestions. 1t is I'M
aerstood that the main objection of
The company to making additions to
the lines is the financing of the build
ing of the new work. 1t is probable
hat if the city would agree to furn-
sh the money for extensions that the
company would be ready to build them
With the understanding that the city
would be repaid out of future profits
ST operation.
Many large subdivisions about the
ity are awaiting opening for the ex-
ension Of the street railway lines and
is certain that the assurance of
immediate Extensions would bring a
great increSSSe in the building of
homes in Kenosha during the coming
pring and summer.
Commission Ready to Act. =
The petition of the company for an
ncrease in the fares charged in Ken