New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1921-07-27
Member Audit Bureau Of Circulation.
SERVICE?

. public utilities commission is serv-
ice to the public.
The Public Utilities Commission of
this state has not served the interests
of the people Of New Britain.
: More than this, there is shown by
y summary e -ne facts. actual dis
courtesy on the part OF the commits
sion as well as failure to aid the
people in the dilemma In which ita
decision has placed them.
July IL the Common Council pass
ed resolution asking. in behalf of
the city, for a hearing on the jitney
matter and a hearing regarding the
reduction Of rates OF trolley fares.
In forwarding this resolution let
ter was sent by the Mayor and Cor
poration Counsel emphasizing the
resolution and the wish of the city
that the jitney service then in opera
ton might be continued, at least until
after the requested hearing.
It should be remembered that this
request for a hearing was a request
OF the city, not OF a private individ-
ual. The law provides for just such
q case.
few days later a letter was sent
the commission suggesting that the
requested hearing be held in the
Grammar school auditorium.
About week after the passage of
the resolution the commission re-
piled, noting the request, and saying
'if'' the hearing is held, etc.
Not satisfied. the city officials re-
Piled, mentioning the ''if' in the COM
missions letter, and again asking II
the hearing would be granted.
All this time the petition of the
city that the jitneys be allowed to
run over the old routes until after the
requested hearing, when more facts
might be presented, was ignored. The
commission did not inform the city
that the best it could do was to grant
revokable licenses, as. under the law,
no jitney could legally run without a
certificate. The city was left in the
dark, supposing that the commission
would reply to the request that the
jitneys be allowed to run at least
temporarily.
Thus the city has waited until to-
day when a letter is received from
petition asking that the jitneys be al
lowed to run pending a decision after
the looked-for hearing, but stating
that the commission Is making no as
signments for the month of August
other than continued ones or those
already arranged for, but that thu
matter in which New Britain is inter
ested will be taken up for assignment
and hearing in September-in Sep
TENDER!
There is something extremely smu,
in the correspondence between thu
city with the Connecticut compan.
mission. "At the suggestion of tn
commission, 1t says, the Arch stree
line was discontinued when the Ut
neys were allowed to run on tina
street. ..-E
One would be almost tempted to be
lieve that the commission and tn
company had an understandin
about Arch street, and that the Con
necticut company was quite willing
discontinue it's line there and allo'
the jitneys to run over that route,
such a thought would not be most dis
respectful to the commission.
It could not be possible that tn
august body would give a hearing o
q matter already decided in mar
ner that was not objected to by or
of the parties to the controversy
Even the letter received today do,
not state, I'VE will give the hearir
as requested by New Britain" NJ
! The matter is to be taken up for a
Hgnment and hearing in Septembe
1t is to be hoped that the commi
ston, taking up the matter in Sc
; TENDER, will not delay assigning
hearing for, say. Christmas day
probably there is little danger
that; there's the Christmas dinner
be eaten.
Thus the people of New Britain a
SERVED" by the Public Utilities Cor
mission.
VISITING NURSES.