Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-08-23
NEW HEARING
IN CAR STRIKE.
Hope of Patrons for Return
of Car Service Lay in Out
come of Hearing
ON TROLLEY co. PLAN
Many Features of Company
Offer Not Approved by
State Utility Board

NEWARK, Aug. 23.-The hope of
patrons of the Public Service Rail-
way Company's trolleys for a re-
sumption of service today lay in the
outcome of public hearing called
for next Tuesday by the Public Util-
ity Commission. In announcing the
public hearing Chairman Osborn
said that the trolley company's strike
settlement plan was accepted by the
commission as "a basis for Discus
sion and conference"
At the same time the commission
made known that it held some feat
ures of the company's plan to be en-
tirely unacceptable. The commission
held, Chairman Osborn said, that
the company's proposal to keep its
cars in the barns until the plan is
accepted is "a strike against the
public" an "unwarranted stand" and
a menace to public welfare"
The commissions attitude on other
features Of the plan was expressed
as follows:
Resumption of service should be
first in the company's plan instead
of last.
Public should have service while
opposing interests are brought into
accord or until such an effort may
fail.
Board cannot cancel bus licenses.
Board will continue policy of ap-
proving bus licenses upon proof of
necessity and convenience to the
public.
proposed fare of seven cents on
/, rolleys and jitneys Would require
investigation to determine fairness.
The law provides a method of
procedure if the company is financ-
tally unable to operate.
Board will aid company in re-
vamping financial structure.
Valuation of $110,000,000 fixed by
special Master Haight, in pending
fare suit in Federal court, cannot
be accepted by the board. The ten
tative operation of trolleys during
the period of negotiations will be
proposed and canvassed at the pub
lie hearing next Tuesday. Two OBJ
stacles to such restoration of SER
vice are seen in the company's re-
luctance to pay increased wages,
while a truce shall prevail, and in
the strikers attitude against re-
turning to work unless ss,ch increase
is given.
The public hearing is expected to
be attended by Representatives OF the
lat municipalities affected by the
now three weeks old strike of the
trolleymen by representatives of the
company, and of the busmen.
On Monday next the company is
due to file its return with the SUI
preme court in answer to the alter
native writ of mandamus issued by
the court in the Public Utility COM
missions action to compel resump-
tion of service.
A meeting of the striking trolley
men of Essex county will be held to-
night, it was announced today by
William Wepner, president of the
local union, who said the meeting
was for a vote by the men on ac-
ceptance or rejection of the trolley
companys settlement plan. The plan
was accepted yesterday by represen-
tatives of the men at their meeting
with President McCarter of the COM
pany. 1t is therefore expected that
the men as Lody will accept it.
Mr.. Wepner pointed out that ac-
ceptance of the plan does not settle
all their differences with the COM
pany. calling attention to their de-
mands for or-improvements in working
conditions.
Asked if the men would accept an
armistice and return to work on the
old schedule pending adjustment,
Mr.. Wepner I that the only con-
dition upon which the men would
return would be the company meet
ing their demands.
The Newark bus owners will pay
for New Jersey licenses for out-of-
the-state buses now operating here,
1t was announced at the conclusion
of a conference between traffic Su-
pervisor Crawford and George Sey-
mour. counsel for the busmen here
this afternoon. About 100 busmen
who would be obliged to pay for Ii
censes in this state announced yes
terday they would withdraw their
buses rather than meet that expense.
The busmen took this stand because
of the undecided status under which
they were operating. expecting that
the trolley strike settlement might
at any time deprive them of their
raVepueq