Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-20
The Problem of Street Car Fare.

The Problem OF Street Car Fare
n BRITAIN premises were laid down by
" T.. Randolph Williams in his address
before the Council Committee OH Streets,
in which he advocated blanket franchise
md higher fares for the Virginia Railway
and Power Company. that are indisputably
sound. They are, as we see them
l. The rider must pay for the service
he gets. Inadequate fares and inadequate
service are synonymous. Increased service
means that the patrons must pay sufficient
To Justify it.
=. Capital cannot be secured for invest
mcnt in the local lines except it can be
shown sound proposition with a fair rate
OF returns.
5. Without fresh capital extension of
the present lines into now undcvcloped ter
rtory is impossible
TO Richmond as city perhaps the third
premise. as VIC have stated them, is most
vital, more important by far than whether
It shall be G, or even cents for its rides
On the correct solution OF its housing prob
lem, which is rapidly growing acute. the
citys whole future depends. and that solu-
ton hangs on nothing so much as the de-
vclopmcnt Of its suburbs. That develop
ment cannot matcraizc without the extern
sion OF the street lines. Except in n
few directions, already served by the street
cars, Richmond has reached the limit OF its
residential development, save by the com
raratively few who can afford to own auto
mobiles. Bnt there arc vast and highly
desirable areas which, if served by the
street car, would be opened up TO the cree
ton of moderately priced homes, where the
now congested population could spread ont
and live comfortably ana cheaply Given
such a service and with the building market
coming down. this spring would see build
ing OF houses in Richmond such as il had
never witnessed before THAT activity OF
itself would spell prosperity all along the
line from humblcst artisan To our biggest
department stores.
Extension and recruiting Of lines essen
tial 10 Richmond's prosperity demand
money, We have the company's word for
it that money cannot be obtained under
present conditions. Money is the most
tiinid of all commodities. and il must be
shown sound, paying proposition before
II can be drawn into All Investment With
long series of traction failures stretching
back over the last few years, it is doublv
difficult now to secure funds for traction
development.
That puts the issue squarcly up to Tie
local traction company on the one hand
ana TO the people. through their Council.
on the other. The former cannot bnild
without snoncy. which il say. !, h,. NOT
The people want the increased service and
We take il they will il, vil,imc - NOV. GU" snr
what they get. But they will objcc, 10
paying more than is necessary. That is
what the traction company must demon
s'ratc clearly, If the people are to consent
10 pay the increased fare. Convince them
with the figures and there will he little
objection TO anything within reason
r w. me 'rau'S' comes at time when
the cost OF labor and material has passed
inc peak and is on the down grade. but it
must he remembered that the local com
;,' Tvs are, waIere"S most other cities are pay
lrS INV !" cents me local in