The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-07-12
EETTERSTO
TIE EDITOR
". SERVICE.


sTRAP.HANolNo Va SERVICE
BARRA0Kv1LLE. July 11-[EdI-
tor The West VlrEinianl-Assts MS
ually, but unfortunately the case,
when ultimately 1t becomes neces-
sary TO start a community move.
ment 70 obtain service such as any
progressive broad gauged manage
ment Of a public utility corporation
ought TO be glad 10 grant II not b
deed, to furnish unsolicited in bus
mess, like anticipation OF the glow
ing needs OF It's territory, there
viii be found a few perosns who
make the imputation that private
revenge or private advantage may
be the motive behind agitation.
In its fight with the Mononga-
hela Power and Railway company
for better traction service, Bar
rackvIlle is not immune from such
charges. The leaders OF the move
ment enter an emphatic disclaimer,
however, Of any and all such I'M
worthy purposes. They point out
that such a self.seeking scheme
could scarcely have been contain
eously endorsed by 500 and more
fellow signers Of the petition TO the
State Public Service Commission
for relief from traffic COMPOSITIONS,
II their case had merely rested on
a personal grudge instead of being
founded in acute recognition by the
Barrackville public OF the gross dis
elimination Of which II nov Is and
long has been the victim. Such a
decisice capitalization Of public sen
timent would simply have been i'm
possible under any circumstances
than a keen consciousness OF
the shameless imposition being
foisted upon its good nstured pa.
tience by the traction company.
As a matter Of fact none Of Bar
rackville's fight leaders bear any
ill-will or enmity against either the
NJ. P. G R. company or its officials
AS for the latter they are all gem
tlemen Of fine personality and nota.
BILE attainment, and they rank high
among Fairmont's eminent citizens
both in business and social ways.
AS individuals we are pleased to
honor and respect them but as com
Ipany officials their individuality at
once becomes merged in the corpor-
alton they represent and in the
composite policies which they,
through their directors, evolve. On
each side, therefore, the fight 70
solves itself to an absolutely I'm.
personal basis.
We have always recognized the
NJ. P. 6 R. company as a b~enetcent
institution. In the development OF
the upper Monongahela valley It
has been a factor Of well.nigh in
calcuable value. We are not icon
oclasts. We would not destroy its
acknowledged utility. Nay, rather,
We would foster its utility to fupth-
sr efficiency and achievements
still.
But within the last few years
there has taken place a great
change. The enterprise that char.
acterized the company's former
rapid growth has disappeared. or.
perhaps, It has been diverted into
new fields. At any rate the present
traction service generally is made
quate to the population.
The cause Of this condition lies
on the surface. The company has
too many irons in the fire, as its
own recent adoption OF a new incor-
porated style shows quite conclu-
sively. It Is mixed up in the power
business. the traction business, the
light business and the gas business
with al their various qualifications.
The financial losses incident to any
branch n course OF initial develop
ment Or in periods OF business de-
preston, as for timely Illustration,
transformer installations in hun
dreds of idle coar mines must be
shouldered and borne by the other
branches in order that the aggre-
gate operations OF the company
may net expected advertised earn
ings. The company's traction bust.
ness alone has grown and develop
ed to the gigantic proportions OF n
syndicate with millions and million
OF capital required to construct Its
huge power plant and numerous
substations, to finance new extern
sions, support them in their non
paying infancy, etc., etc.
It is an inevitable corollary Of
such a strained. o%verburdened stu.
alton, occasioned by too swift an
expansion that traction service will
be poor. There is more profit in
a strap-hanger than in a seated pas
senge. A stranp.hanger represents
capacity business, a velvet profit,
no expense whatever connected
with his transportation but a strap
sometimes not even a strap. No
wonder the company regards public
service as a costly ideal. What It
can save by making ono car carry
passengers enough to fiji two cars
II can dump. Of course, into the def.
icits otNthe n0war mr. lfuh1 =.