New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-24
TO REGULATE SPEED OF TROLLEY CARS

A CONFERENCE HELD AT THE MAYORS OFFICE
AN ORDINANCE TO BE DRAWN Up.
The question Of the speed Of trolley cars was the
subject Of an extended conference yesterday at the
Mayors Office. Mayor Scheren Corporation Coun-
sci jerks the Electrical Subway Commissioners.
Messrs Plympton and Lee; Aldermen Clark. Lech
and McGarry; Secretary Bogardus of the Brooklyn
CITY Railroad Company President Norton OF the
Atlantic Avenue company; Colonel Partridge, OF the
De Kalb-ave. line; II. W. Slocum, jr" OF the jay
and Smith SITS. line: Thomas {. Moore counsel ior
the Broadway company; Joseph Mcdonald. con-
ductor for the Brooklyn City company. ana rat
rick T. Hickey a conductor for the Atlantic Avenue
company, present.
The report of Professor Plympton. showing that
the cars were run at unlawful rates OF speed was
read and he explained the plan OF securing the
data Mayor Schieren said the conference had been
called TO learn what the railroad companies had 10
say regarding the excessive rate OF speed. Mr..
Bogardus said that his company was ready and
anxious to avoid running the cars at excessive
speed, and that any motorman exceeding ten miles
an hour would be punished Letters were read from
Presidents Norton and Partridge. saying that their
companies would conform to any reasonable reguia-
tons. Orders had been issued forbiddlnS the men
to exceed the lawful rate Of speed.
In reply to questions by the Mayor. Mr. Bogardus
said that the schedule time called FOR speed vary
ing from four to eight miles an hour. and II ten
miles an hour exceeded Il was in violation OF
express orders. He thought il would be good idea
TO have the mOtOrmen examined and their prom
cheney certified by the city. The Mayor said mat
passengers talked to motOrmen and distracted their
attention. Mr.. BOgdrdus said that the company had
seventy eighty Inspectors whose duty WAS TO re-
port motormen, but there were none whose duty
was 10 observe the speed Of the cars. The Mayor
suggested Il at speed not above SIX miles an hour
should be at street crossings. Mr. BOg1rdus
said that the speed In Futon-st.. below COurt-st.
was not greater than four and three-tenlhs miles
an hour and between Court-st. and Flatbush-aVe.
and nine-tenths miles an hour. .
Colonel Partridge said the public wished to ride
as fast consistent with safety Al the time
tables were arranged a basis OF ten miles an
hour Excess Of speed beyond his was due TO ef-
forts on the part of the motormcn TO make up time
lost by delays from vehicles. Mr. Mcdonald a con-
ductor took exception to the criticism of motor
men. The impossible was expected Of them. If
they did not make their time they were likely to be
DISCHARGED Not enough time WAS allowed for their
standing at the end of the line between trips If a
man did not make his time he did not remain long
on the road, and he could not get employment on
another.
The Mayor desired the representatives OF the COM
panes agree upon proper ordinance covering
the matter. the one drawn up last summer was
never adopted.
Police Superintendent Campbell issued order
TO the police force yesterday calling attention to the
need of observing the rate OF speed Of the trolley