1874.] OF THE SENATE. 273

That for the same reason the tracks and cars of the road
have not been properly kept up, and are now in such worn
out condition that they demand immediate renewal. That
with no funds in hand and a heavy debt due the city, the
Company is unable to meet these requirements, unless the
rate of riding is raised, or the Park tax reduced.

The Committee is convinced from an examination of the
published returns, and private replies to a circular of the
Baltimore City Passenger Railway Company, of Companies
in the other cities of the United States, that none outside of
Baltimore are required to carry passengers at .so low a net
rate.

We find from these returns, that the rates of riding in
other cities vary from five cents to ten cents, that in few
cases are the distances so long, and in no case that we know
of, the grades so heavy ; thus increasing the cost of operat-
ing the Baltimore roads.

That while the Baltimore City Passenger Railway Com-
pany is allowed to, and does charge six cents, yet the pay-
ment of its one-fifth gross receipts to the city, and the use of
transfer tickets reduces the average fare actually received by
the Company on each passenger to four and one-third cents.
For this the passenger can ride a distance of six miles on one
line, and receive a transfer ticket for three cents to take him
over any of the Companies' other line, running in every
direction through the the city of Baltimore.

We believe that nowhere in the world can any such cheap
transportation be found, and we are satisfied that with it the
road cannot be continued, much less afford increased accom-
modation, and facilities to the public, which we are assured is
the desire of the present officers in charge.

The importance of passenger railways to Baltimore in con-
necting the extreme resident sections of the city with its
business centres, in enhansing the value of property, and
thus increasing the taxable basis of the city cannot be over
estimated, and they deserve, therefore, when properly con-
ducted to receive all reasonable encouragement and support.

Your Committee find further, that while some of the Com-
panies, other than the Baltimore City Passenger Railway
Company, are allowed by their charters to charge as high as
seven cents on their passenger rates, yet that none of them
do actually charge above six cents, to which this Company
is restricted. It is a well known fact that this rate does not
pay any of the Companies, but while one is compelled not to
charge over six cents, other competing and closely parallel
roads, cannot do so without losing their share of the travel.
35