Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-06


by the question. Before he could re-
ply Commissioner Clement interjected:
"The question is not essential"
Chairman Ainey said he agreed with
Mr.. Clement, remarking that the mat
ter had been threshed out in the Cliye-
den case.
II have good reasons for asking this
question:" declared Mr.. Lewis. MAY
| have permission to tell you what my
reasons are?"
Chairman Ainey replied It was not
necessary. Mr.. Dunbar then was ex-
cuscd.
The next witness was X. II. Horton.
traffic manager Of the Rapid Transit
Co. He reviewed the number of pas.
sengers carried by the company, reiter-
ating the substitution of exchange
tickets for free transfers would increase
the company's annual revenue by
SO, ,000, 200.
Mr.. Horton added the elimination Of
three cent exchanges in the business
district would produce 1900, 900 extra
two cent fares.
Tells OF Economies
Mr.. Horton. skipping swiftly through
maze of figures, showed how the es-
tmated total of $4,000, 900 additional
revenue could be obtained. He said he
believed the estimate conservative.
Have there been any economics in
the handling of trafic?' Mr.. Ballard
asked.
Many" the witness replied.
1 "Thcse economies have been continuous
since Mr.. Mitten took charge. In
January, 1912, a force was gathered
together for a study of traffic condi-
tions.
This continued for year and in
May, 1913, a comprehensive rerouting
was begun. This lasted until October
of 1913. At the close of the rerout-
ing. all but four of the ninety two
routes had been changed.
"Nuw there are seventy six direct
routes Contrastcd with the former nine
| ty-two which ran over haphazard and
devious courses and were wastcful and
inefficient.
schedules have also been studied.
In this we have the hearty co operation
: of the men. The service was fitted to the
traffic. The schedule has been so re-
/ fined that certain cars are due to ar
rive at certain factories when the men
are getting out.
"Thc skip stop system also saves the
company upward Of $3.50 900 a year.
The most important item is the cost of
trainmpn'S labor This is S1.37 an hour
for two men. On trippers the cost is
81 .05 because of the time and half
pay required.
Speed Has Been Increased
"ThiS being the case. the more miles
covered in that hour the better. Con-
scuuently the speed of the cars has
received attention. The average speed
was eight miles an hour in 1910, while
I now IL IL uiup nilpS hour.
! Mr.. Ballard asked If the economies
as outlined formed the reason for the
company ability to maintain the five
cent fare.
"Thosc economics were responsible, "
Mr.. Horton replied.
! ''What is your view Of the propriety
of the method of the proposed plan for
obtaining increased rcvrnuc:' Mr..
Ballard asked.
/ The witness replied the method was
| the best for three reasons.
First" he said. lit protects exist
ing revenue from short riders to the
greatest extent.
Second. we now receive 81 800. 900
| year through thrCe-cent exchange
tickets and it would be- the height of
folly TO lose a part of that which we
now have.
Third. there is point of justice in
volvcd. 1t costs more to haadlr the
transfer rider than it does the direct
rider. The former rides on two cars.
The direct rider has been paying part
of the fare Of the transfer rider
While Mr.. Horton was on the stand
Mr.. Lewis tried to make a statement to
the effect that operation economies
would yield sufficient increased revenue
for the company.
The statement was blocked by Chair
man Ainey. after an objection by Com :
missioner Clement. The chairman ruled
that testimony relating to the Clivoden
Improvement Associations complaint
was not relevant at this time.
p. X. X. Witnesses Absent
Mr.. Horton was excused and left the
stand. This was followed by Mr.. Bal
lard 5 announcement that no more wit.
ncSSeS were ready.
Chairman Ainey and other commits
! Sion"rS appeared surprised by the an.
nounrrmCnt.
"rh" situation is not to the liking Of
! the Public Service Commission com
mentrd Mr.. Aiury, caustically.
You, Mr.. Ballard, should have beer
prepared TO Present witnesses in Sc
qucncc. This is very important cas-,
anu ln"lHDcTS OF tne commission came
here with the idea that the time of
full session would be taken up eacl
day"
Assistant City Solicitor Rosenbaun
told the commission he had asked las
Wednesday for conference with thu
company'S attorneys. His purpose, h,
said, was to agree on a plan of action
so as much time as possible would b.
saved.
He was unable to get in touch Will
the company's lawyers. he added, al
though he tried again on the day fol
lowing.
II don't think that we have been re
miss in this matter in any way" as
serted Mr.. Rosenbaum. referring to hi
superior. City Solicitor Smyth, an,
other officials of the city's law depart
mCnt.
Mr. Ballard declared he had tried t
reach Mr.. Rosenbaum yesterday, bu
had failed.
Chairman Ainey then adjourned tn
hearing.
TWO WEDDINGS TOO MANY
, \ divorce just granted Albert +
ILL IT,