The New York herald., 1922-01-30

with real enthusiasm. There was much
talk of improved service, Of "skip stops"
and OF one man cars as desirable eco
nomic Improvement. The immortal
nickel far, was about to vindicate it
self under the banner of municipal
ownership and operation.
But before a year had elapsed the
towns disillusionment had begun. 1t
was painful process. One of its at
tendant symptoms had been an un-
checked epidemic Of irresponsible jitney
buses. They jazzed their untamed way
all around town. dripping black smudges
of oil, breaking trail right in front Of
the city's care and stealing their pas
sengers under the very noses OF the
motormen Receipts diminished, costs
increased and labor troubles were an al
most continuous bugaboo. In the first
year of municipal operation the street
car lines had fallen far short of meet
ing their operating expenses despite the
fact that they no longer had to pay
taxes. paving charges and other such
costs.
Something had to be done, so in July,
1920, Hugh M. Caldwell, who had sue
ceeded Ole Hanson as Mayor. signed an
ordinance providing for Increased fares.
The price Of single cash fare jumped
dime. BY way Of encouraging sociabil
ity. however. 1t was decreed that two
persons travelling in company might
ride for IN cents apiece--cash. This
soon proved conducive to unconven-
tional friendships.
Four Rides for a Quarter.
Metal tokens also were issued. Each
was good for one ride, and they were
sold on all cars at rate of four for
twenty-five cents or eight for half a
dollar. Free transfers were to be given
alike in exchange for the cash or the
token fares.
The Jitneys. multiplying like a pest
Of locusts, became more perniciously
active and stuck to their nickel fare
In December. 1920. the street car fares
were modified again. Council. faced by
growing deficits in transit operation.
raised the charge for the metal tokens
from 6N to s 1-3 cents apiece. or three
instead of four for quarter. The single
cash fare remained at 10 cents, and
except in exchange for the dime fare.
all transfer privileges with other lines
of the municipal system were abolished.
Meantime the situation had become
so critical that the payroll of the
municipal lines had to be met by taking
IunuS from tne $zO,VU set aslue IOr
payment OF interest and principal on
the utility bonds held by the Puget
Sound Corporation In payment for the
railways.
Councilman Erickson. still progressing
in his progressivism and disgusted with
the poor showing the roads were maxi
ing. decided there was no sense anyway
In trying to make the lines self-sustain-
ing. He began an agitation for a flat
8 cent fare on all municipal lines. the
taxpayer to pay the deficit. and with
the purpose of eventually doing away
with payment of street car fares en-
tirely.
To Put Burden on Taxpayers.
The Father of Municipal Ownership
computed that this would increase the
general tax levy only about per cent.
He asked the Seattle Corporation Coun-
sci to prepare an amendment to the
city charter accordingly and he hopes
to get a referendum on the proposition
next spring.
The transit SYSTEMS finances have
been going from bad to worse. Its re-
port for last August showed that, while
its passengers had been paying fares
a bout 60 I-3 per cent. In excess OF the
rates paid in August. 1920, gross re-
ceipts were only az per cent. in excess
OF the receipts OF the previous August
BY the same comparison there had been
a reduction i'm the number of passen-
gers carried amounting to 2,O26.91l, or
a decrease of 20.3 per cent.
This falling of was accounted for In
part by the fact that a heavy increase
in fares always cuts down the number
Of short haul passengers. and they are
the most profitable patrons. Also the
Ia ttrc
petitively and increasingly active. Per-
haps there may be better times ahead
In this respect.
After an almost inccssant battle In
the courts. the city succeeded last
September in getting into its own hands
control and regulation of the jitney
nuiss nee, and the municipality now has
elbowed the irresponsible fellows of the
streets.
Much litigation also has marked the
relations between the city and the Puget
Sound Company. Taxpayers actions
were Instituted to test the validity Of
the sale. and the contention was set up
that the s15.o00.o00 valuations placed
upon the roads was excessive. The right
of the selling corporation to take from
the city's treasury amounts due on
and interest under its contract
cnues OF the railways. even TO the inn
pairment of operation and maintenance.
also has been tested in the Federal
courts. But thus far the rights and
equities of the selling corporation have
been sustained in all litIgations.
March / is approaching, when the first
principal payment of more than 100000
falls due. and the Seattle Municipal
Railway does not know where 20 look
for It's pot of gold at the foot of the
rainbow. Its rolling stock Is deteriorat-
ing fast for lack Of maintenance and
repacements. Peter Witt. whom the
Seattle council called In as a consulting
expert to diagnose tho disease last
month. reported:
Your property mas TO have new
money. IL must have requirements be-
fore 1t ever can he possible to bring
about better service at less cost. ] am
going to recommend the expenditure OF
several millions of dollars Immediately
for new equipment. There is only one
place for many OF the large, heavy cars
the junk pile.
Money Must he Raised.
Money must be raised in some way
to meet these necessary replacements.
The only way l see is for the city Of
Seattle to confer with the owners of the
bonds and arrange for the replacement
of the old bonds with now ones The
new bonds should be issued for longer
say. Twenty-Five years. and for