New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-26
RAILWAY NEWS.
HEARING BY TIE COMMISSIONERS.

HEARING BY THE COMMlSSiONEho.
INQUIRY INTO COMPUTATION RATES on THE HAIR
LEM-MR. O'DoNEELL WRESTLING WITH ACCOUNTS.
Commissioner Herman was asked by IRIB'
UNE reporter yesterday whether the Commission mas
passed upon the applications OF the Erie and tho New
York Central roads for hearing upon the resolution
recurring quarterly financial reports from all companies
"There has not been full meeting OF the board" MT
Herman replied "to consider the matter The rosdi
have asked ior hearing to secure certain NOTIFICATIONS
of the form and requirements OF the reports ana also
to have the resolution rescnded. We did not nave lui
meeting Mr. Rogers and mysef heard the remarks Oh
the representatives of the roads but have yet to discuss
the application at a full board meeting
4" Has the Commission any doubt cI lis power W eh
force its resolution Z" vas asked.
"That question can DO answered by any one who
examines the language of the act creating tho COM
mission. 1t seems to give full power to require inc
railroad companies to submit reports OF their hnanc
condition. OF the powers and limitations OF inc
Commission never been tested IN court ana tno
subject is an unexplored field"
The CommIssoners-Messrs. Herman, Rogers ana
ODonne-met at the Chamber OF Commerce to hear the
complaint OF the New-York Board OF Trade and Trans
portation against alleged excessive Communication rates
on the Newly ork and Harlem Railroad. Frederick Wise
and Henry &. APPEL, Of West Mount vernon
testified that the rates from Eew-fork were
higher than they were twenty years H5'
Mangon of Sing Sing said that lie paid $40 for yearly
Communication ticket In 1868, while the present year
cost was $780, George b. Butler formerly secretary OF
the NewYork Central, testified that no was ccmpehe"
to leave CrotOn Falls because OF the advan IN COMM
tGtor rates about 1867. Chauncey Nj. DepeW askea
Croou Falls was not yond tue Communication llinit ano
whethrr general commuters would not have to rae
five hours on daily trips TO this city. The Wit
ness replied that tho road was run
properly eommuter would not need to spend that time
In getting to New. York. Robert III. Shannon said tha
the accommodations on the Harlem were better DeIort
the lease Of the road to the NewYork Central than tneY
are now but he admitted that the number OF trains ha
been increased. Colonel Nelson b. Bartram, deputy
collector of the port. said that the high Communication
rates 10 White Plains compelled him 10 board his three
sons who were IN business In NcwYOrk instead OF al f
home.
After tho examination OF other witnesses the hearing
Oh this question adjourned TO Albany IN october u
The Commissioners then went TO the Grand central
depot to allow Mr. O'DOnuell toask questions regarding
the cost Of construction Of the Hatlem Road TO be used
in the complaint regarding the milk rates OF he Harlem
Messrs Herman and Rogers have been satisfied Win the
examination made by The expert HccOuutaut 1tacbeu
the commission L. " ". Rossiter' treasurer OF the
said that IT appeared that $2,296,OOO ex-
pended FOR tho construction o. the Albany extension
from Doyer's Plain 10 Cnal aln appeared IN report
made 10 the state Engineer IL 800 10 ne chaIoeu l"Cu
to the construction aCcOun; OF the Harlem. Ar ROsslter
denied that the books OF to present date showed any
such duplication and Mr. ODOnneil ha1 no copy OF the
cUc1uet rs report Mr ODonuC declared tia; Tic real
estate Jf tue Harlem tOd not used Tor railroad purposes
vas about 100000. Ar'uS the items he Included TIE
Dep.w and President Rutter, OF he Cenuai. explained
thu the properly had been or finally poug4t ana used
slruction. the Commission finally adjourned 10 meet Ia
Albany.