New Britain herald., 1924-01-31
PAONESSA HITS AT
 RAISE IN CAR FARE
Council Supports Him in Appeal
 to Utilities Commission

By unanimous vote. the common council last night went on record as i favoring a protest to the Public Utili- ties Commission against proposed in- creased trolley fares. and on smotion of Alderman Frank L. Conlon' of the sixth ward it was voted to have Cor poration Counsel John H. Kirkham prepare and present a petition to that end.
 Alderman C. J. Dehm was in the chair when Mayor A. NJ. Paonesse presented his message on the trolley fare situation, recommending prot test to the Public Utilities Commits sion. In his statement to the com mon council he pointed out that the Plainyiile & Bristol Tramway Co. op- crates at a profit with a five cent fare. and he asserted that. in his opinion, the Connecticut Co. should be inves- tigated.
 Mayor Paonessa's message on the trolley situation follows:
 Gentlemen of the Common Council:
 My purpose in calling you toseth- CT tonight is 10 ask you, as represen- tatives of the people of New Britain, to make a protest against the exor- bitant and unwarranted increase in trolley fares which the Connecticut Go. proposes 10 put in effect Febru- ary 10. The present fare is 7h cents and it is proposed 10 increase ii 10 Ia cents and in my opinion and in in the opinion Of many others with whom I have discussed this matter, including the mayors or several cities in the state. there is no good req son why the increase should be made.
 "I believe it unjust to the people Of the state Of Connecticut, and cer- tainly it is contrary to good business judgment The Bristol and Plsinviile Tramway Go. operating trolley line only a few miles from New Britain announced recently that it conducted it's business Of providing transporta- ton, at profit. on a five cent fare. yet the Connecticut Co.,, big corpor- ation with every city in the state at its mercy, is attempting 10 have the public believe an increase in fares is necessary l believe the Connecticut Co. should be investigated, and the Public Utilities Commission should not hesitate toinvestigate and give the people of this state the facts, which would undoubtedly show that the trolley lines could be operated, under proper management and with neees- sary changes and sensible retreneh- ments at profit. without an increase in fares.
 Ut seems to me that there is grave danger in the situation that exists in the state Of Connecticut. The Pub lie Utilities Commission, to whom we turn in matters concerning public service in municipalities, owes it 10 the peopleof Connecticut to protect the rights Of all who depend on such corporations as the Connecticut Co, and consider that I, as mayor of the city of New Britain, and you, as members of the legislative body Of our city government would be derelict In our duty were we 10 stand idly by while such an outrageous abuse of privilege and power on the part Of the Connecticut Co. and the Public Utilities Commission as this proposed fare increase actually is becomes op- 1 eratiye.
 "Gentlemen. we should make our stand in this matter, in way that will leave no doubt as 10 our convie- 1 tions, in the minds of either the Con l necticut Co. or the Public Utilities ] Commission. ff this outrageous fare | increase is 10 be effective. the Public | rtiiifiss Commission should permit | the operation of jitney busses on the streets Of our city, without regard for l the present transportation system. ! The people Of Now Britain want serv- Ice al A reasonable cost. if under | stand them correctly, and when the ' Connecticut Co. admits Its inability or ! it's unwillingness to meet this need, it | is time there was action. and ! believe l we should instigate it.
 Respectfully submitted,
 "A. M. PAONESsA,
 Mayor" |