South Bend News-Times, Volume 34, Number 123, South Bend, St. Joseph County, 3 May 1917 — Page 5

I HE SOUTH tfEND NEWS-TIMES

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We avail ourselves of the present opportunity occasioned by the local situation existing at this time, when a strike is on, to respectfully represent to you: That the Northern Indiana traction and street railway properties were acquired by the present owners in February, 1907, and the Southern Michigan Railway was acquired by them in April, 1910. That since that time the street railway system has been largely double tracked and extended, new cars and electrical equipment have been provided, and the interurban system extended to Laporte, connecting Laporte and Michigan City with South Bend. That there has been expended as indicated above and for other improvements on the property $2,399,887.22. That there has been paid out for street improvements alone $383,602.17. That there has been paid out for taxes $289,082.39. The North Side improvement is under way at a cost of $155,660.00. That no dividends or compensation of any character has been paid to any officer, director or stockholder of the company. That no salaries have been paid except to those devoting their time directly to the operation of the property. That every dollar of earnings of the company has been expended on the properties for fixed charges, maintenance and operating expenses, and improvements. Not a dollar has been received as compensation or profit by any stockholder. That the efforts of the owners of the property have been directed to the development and operation of the property and the public has been the direct beneficiary thereof. The officers of the company, recognizing the right of the public to uninterrupted car service, on November 25 th, 1913, when the relations between the company and its employees were of the most cordial character, entered into an agreement the parties to which were the Governor of the State of Indiana acting for the public the company, and its employees. This contract provided for the speedy adjustment of all differences between the company and its employees by arbitration, in the event that a controversy should arise that could not be satisfactorily adjusted otherwise. The Public Service Commission of the State of Indiana was selected by all the parties to the agreement as the proper board of arbitration in such difficulties, the Public Service Commission being disinterested financially or otherwise, and their official position giving them control over the service to be rendered, compensation to be paid therefor, and the operating conditions under which the company must work. Recently there came into South Bend a non-resident of the State of Indiana, interested only to the extent of the amount of compensation that could be derived from the employees of the company, having no interest either in the community, the company, or the men, and induced some of the city street railway employees to violate their agreement, and practically without notice to leave their employment, abandon their cars and attempt to embarrass the company in the operation of its cars as well as discommode the public accustomed to ride thereon. The company fortunately is able to operate its cars on the regular schedule with competent and experienced car men. This service can be, and will be maintained. The present ownership of the company has in the past voluntarily raised the pay of its employees three times, the last being May first, 1916. This company has at all times met its employes and given fair consideration to all requests made. This is now and will continue to be, the attitude of the company toward its employes. We submit these facts for your earnest consideration and have abiding faith in the justice of the public in supporting us in our effort to render to you the service to which you are justly entitled. Very Respectfully,

Chicago, Sooth Bend & Northern Indiana Railway Company

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