The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-03

Because of virtually no ex
pressed opposition to proposed
car fare increases, the Indianap-
oils Street Railway Company
presented its plea for higher
rates to the public service com
mission more briefly than usual
in such cases, at the Statehouse~
today.
Taylor E. Groninger, corporation
counsel. told the commission that the
city agreed to an increase in fare. He
added that he believed the commission
shouldg order the company to sell
seventeen tickets for 81, in addition
to the proposed rate of 7 cents cash,
four tickets for 25 cents and a 1-cent
transfer charge, and that he believed
Broad Ripple citizens should be given
the benefit of city fares.
Broad Ripple Represented
H. H. Hornbrook. attorney, entered
his appearance for the company, Will
liam Bosson for citizens of Broad Rip
pie. and o. H. MendenhaIl in behalf
Of J. W. Losh. who contended the
commission had no Jurisdiction The
commission overruled Losh's plea.
"For five years or more the Street
Railway Company. cooperating with
the. city and the public service com
mission, has been endeavoring to
maintain what has not been main.
tanned in many cities. a fare not ex-
ceeding a basic rate of cents Horn
brook said in an opening statement
He asserted that as a result the
company has barely been able to meet
fixed charges and has been embar-
rassed by its financial inability to CO.
operate with the city in street I'm
provements. He said that because
of rapid depreciation of the property,
due to lack of money. costs of manu-
featuring current have been too high.
These conditions have been due to
a penny wise and pound' foolish
policy" he said.
New Rates Experimental
He declared the proposed new rates
are experimental and only time will
tell the exact results obtained.
j. Groninaer said "the city is not here
in any violent attitude of contention. .
I'VE agree in a measure with whata
Mr.. Hornbrook has said," he con
tinued.
He then made his proposal for sew
enteen tickets for 81 and the issuance
of a transfer on a transfer to allow
passengers who must ride three cars
to make one trip to pay only one
transfer charge. He also suggested
that re-routing might help, but said
lie had at this time no definite plan
to present.
THE car company has not received
the same treatment as other utili-
ties he said. THE other utilities
are making money. This cannot be
said Of the car company. The city is
willing to help the company and ex
poets the company to help itself by
improving it's service.
Bosson spoke briefly in behalf of
Broad Ripple citizens
MCGOWAN Testifes
Joseph A. MCGOWAN, secretary
treasurer Of the company. was the
first witness called. He testified that
the net earnings of the company after
deduction of taxes were 81 ,072 1908 in
1928 as compared with $1,050,441 In f.
1922. He said the company spent
1876 per cent OF its income to take
care Of depreciation in 1922 and 22.72
per cent in 1928. The commission
ordered it some time ago to use 81
per cent for this purpose.
He testified that the net earnings
during January and February of this
year were $236.747, as compared with
1924, ,410.S9 in 1923 He said the in
crease was more than accounted for
by the extra day in February. The
income in March. 1924, yas
1927. .eS1. as compared with se16,s1s In