Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-03-29
TEN CENT FARE
HEARING TODAY
Utility Board Acts for First
Time in Months Array of
Legal Talent.
CITIES ARE REPRESENTED
Can Suspend New Fare for
Another Three Months in
Bill Passed.
CITIES ARE REPRESENTED

TRENTON. March 29.-Applica-
ton of the Public Service Railway
Company to increase its fare from
seven to ten cents was brought up
before the Board of Public Utility
Commissioners today.
The Public Service case is a lega-
cy from the old utility commission.
The company desired to exact the
fare after January /. An order sus-
pending the increase to April / was
put into effect.
There is a bill now before Gov
ernor Edwards which will further
extend suspension until July 1.
The hearing before the board to-
day is the first for testimony to JUS
tify the ten cent fare. A deficit of
s3.6OO,000 has accumulated in the
last three years, the company re-
ports, during part of which time a
seven cent fare has been charged.
with an additional cent for transfers.
Representatives from various To-
calties were at the hearing TO op-
pose the increase.
AT the start of the proceedings
tooay Chairman Treacy, of the
Public Utility Commission ANNOUNCE
ed that just as soon as Governor
Edwards signs the bill permitting
the commission to do so ii will sus-
pend the proposed rate.
Had the law not been passed.
the Utility Commission would have
been powerless to stop the 10 cent
rate becoming effective April first.
the end of first three months sus-
pension.
Representatives of many munic-
ipalities came here today to attend
the opening of battle for the new
rate for trolley companies in this
state.
Newark, Jersey City, Passaic.
Elizabeth, Collingswood, Weehaw-
ken, New Brunswick, PlainfielGs
Montclair and smaller places had
counsel present to represent at
the hearing.
Thomas n. McCarter, president
of Public Service Corporation, was
the first witness called by the COM
mission to prove its need for a ten
cent rate. He stated company's
last normal year was in 1916, when
it earned s1.400.000. Since that
time there has been a deficit an
nually averaging S1,2o0.00O or s3,-
100000 during the last three years.
Eighty cities now have a ten cent
fare. including Boston, New Ha-
ven and Hartford.
The Public Service now charges
cents with an extra penny for a
transfer. 1t claims it cannot con-
tnue on this rate
Vice President Edmund w
Wakelee. L. II. D. Gilmour and
Frank c. Bergen appear as coun-
sci for the company.
Among the army of legal talent,
appearing for cities are George L.
Record, JeJrsey City; Frank H.
Sommer of Newark: Jerome T.
Congleton, corporation counsel for
Newark; City Solicitor Hague. of
Elizabeth: Charles A. Reid. Plain
field; Thomas w. Jack, Ceilings
Jersey State League of Municipal
tiles, Mayor Charles p. Gillen, OF
Newark, appeared for that body.
IBy Evening views correspondentJ
TRENTON, March 29-The Pub
lie Utility Commission, which starts
its hearings today on the Public
Service CompaAy's ten cent trolley
fare application will likely be given
authority TO extend the three
months suspension of the new fare
for another three months.
The Senate passed the House bill
to this effect last night and It is now
ready for the signature of Governor
Edwards.
The present suspension of the in
crease is up on April the first. The
Utility Board said last week it would
be guided by the action taken on
this bill