New Britain herald., 1922-12-09
PAONESSA ATTACKS P U C.
 MPLEA FOR INDEPENDENCE
Urges Legislation to Make Cities Supreme in Matters Pertaining to Transpor- tati0n.

In a message to the public, issued
 this afternoon by Mayor A. M. Pao-
 nessa, the Public Utilities commission
 is attacked for allowing the Connec-
 ticut company to maintain high troll
 ley fares in view of concession grant, ed that corporation which, in the
 mayors opinion, warrant reductions
 in rates; and the public is urged to
 use it's influence with the local sena-
 tor and representatives in bringing
 about legislation which would place
 the control of transportation matters with the cities and towns of the state.
 In such legislation as this, the
 mayor asserts, is the solution of trans
 portation problems. He points out that jitney competition has been elim- mated; relief has been given the com pany in the laying of permanent pave ments and the use of one man cars is allowed, thus effecting big cut in labor charges. In spite of this, he says. service is unsatisfactory and, re- ferring to a report issued by the Util- ities commission yesterday, there now appears to be no hope for relief.
 The mayors message follows:
 Protected by P. U. c.
 "The report of the Public Utilities Commission which made its appear ance yesterday. Dec. Sth. is another blow to municipalities which seek to obtain lower trolley fares and better and more efficient service; and is, warning 10 the citizens of this state that the above Commission has as- sumed position that the Connects cut Company must bo protected--no competition will be allowed--and the citizens of our state must pay fares large enough to allow this corpora ton to obtain '* d reasonable re- turn on it's investment or fair value of | the plant
 'To city such as New Britain is it is only natural that corporation which is in absolute control of trans portation should be willing and anx- ious to grow with the city, rather than hinder it's growth and prosper ity by it's failure to listen to the de- mands of it's citizens for extensions of it's lines and reduction of it's rates.
 Questions Satisfactory Service.
 .'The report of the commission states in part Street railway service. on the whole. has been satisfactory [ venture tho assertion that the City of New Britain was not referred to in this portion of the report. Repeat adly wo have appealed to the com and to the officials of the Come oticut company, but to date no results have been ob- aimed and we have now received mo- ice that we cannot expect any.
 There have been many conces- sions made the Connecticut company turing the past few years, any one ,f which should make possible a gen ,ral fare reduction in the entire state. Jitney competition has been eliminat- d, insofar as a jitney cannot com- pete with the company on any streets ,ver which trolleys are operated. Re- ief has been given them as regards he laying of permanent pavement; md an unjust and unfair fare has been charged on practically every inc in the state. In addition to the lbove the personnel of the company ,as been reduced--one- man cars are Lllowed to operate and a general re- |uction in salaries has become effec- ive-and we who are obliged to ride m their trolleys learn through the medium of our Public Utilities com- representatives and pro- ectors of the people-* the ompanies, and particularly the Con < ecticut company has been able to I how better financial results of opera ions and to meet with some degree E f success their tax obligations to the { tate.'
 "I do not believe the financial sue , ess of the Connecticut company is as s ,teresting to the general public as a general fare reduction and bet l1 ,r and more adequate and efficient srvice.
 Wants Legislative Action. Last spring in my annual message < , the common council, I called at a 'ntion to the conditions existing in t lis city, and advocated and recom- t ended, and still advocate and rec t nniend that every effort be made to T low municipalities to regulate trans a ,rtation within it's own limits. fl "I respectfully suggest to the peo- e e of New Britain that they appeal
 our representatives and senator in c e legislature. and to others through o 1t the state, and see if legislative overs cannot be granted municipali- ss allowing them to conduct and E gulate unhampered transportation O ithin their own limits. We know W lr needs and should be given an S, ,portunity to remedy them. This. O
 my way of thinking. in view of the a cent report of the Public Utilities N is solution of our is oubles." eI