The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-10

Public sentiment was overwhelIn- ingly in favor of the reduced fare and eoualized transportation compe- tition at the Public Utilities Commits sfon's hearing in the City Hall this morning on the caty's petition for a reduction of fares The hearing was regarded by many in the light of a formality upon which the pending decision of the commission will be based.
 A slight dissenSon was apparent in the forces demanding the fare reduc- tions on the part of the city. the peo- pie and tie merchants and manufac- turers, was smoothed out by city. Arguments of civic organizations presented to the com nmissioner1 at tn hearing favoring a five cent fare to the center of the city without trans fer.
 Arguments of several speakers which were construed to indicate their desire for a five cent fare with out transfer to the center of the city, | caused a slight rift in the forces op- were snoothed out by City Attorney William H. Comley and Attorney Ja- cob K. Klein. The impression was given, through what is thought to have been a rndsund erst anding, that the Chamber of Commerce, Manufac- turer's Association favored a fare re- duction without the privilege or tra nsfer only on lines carrying pas SGnS0rS to the Ceul0T oI G4IS CAly. It was effectively shown to the commissioners, however. that such reuction would be a reduc- tion in name only and would public who must necessarily transfer to reach their home or work If the reduction were granted without the transfer, 1t would not change in the who, despite the reduction, would con tinue to pay ten cents or more Tor reaching their destination.
 City Attorney Comley ably ex- pressed the sentiment of the people and the city when he demanded that decision, they take into consideration geographical as we'll as industrial as- poets of the situation.
 '"The present situation Tn Sr1age- u nort is intolerable," declared the City Attorney. -tand is geographically dis eliminating as well as being unfair and inequitable. The city is iapor!ns amidst great confusion and under immediate remedy is a necessity Something must be done so that every section of the city will be treated fairly.
 "As it is now, workingman or or woman living close to. to the csneer f,ne caot ot iitney, while another living faTtheT away and off the 1itney routes mus oay double that amount to reach tue same destination"
 Tater after the arguments in favor of the five cent fare to the center without transfer had been presented Judge Com1ey again spoke.
 You must remember, ne siu, .stfst the five cent fare to the center without a transfer Is not an exclusive solution for our problem. It may pc alright but still it would not De LaiI to everyone especially to tnose WAo
 fnUnnd ending in the center of the city; 1on must consider the geograpnicai sAa gences, and arrange to ueaI section fairly and equally ,- +ooix occasion to attack the Connec- fic11t G. for the legislature they ra1i- roaded" through the last session.
 n1 Wa.Gneo mrsttW closely in Hartford dur ing the last session. They were up .hsre .hs | in their own selfish interests. and they got exactly what they "aheeo In every case. .,. nav biIi passed, and put the burden of determining what Is public neces- sity and public convenience I Tn ha,,,der. all seu of your oommisson. That was the sfart of all the trouble.
 "secondly, they managed to pass the bill whereby they were gwen taxes they owe the state. This year they pay nothing. Next year. they pay one-haIf their net profits: No one knows what those profits will be. And with a clever book-keeper there will be no profits and the company will pay nothing.
 'sThe paving law Is another one. of theirs that is but little known. They formerly paid for all paving between their tracks arid 24 inches on the side. By the new law they pay but eight inches on either side of the track. In lrfd that costs the city a different of 10 feet and eight inches,