New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-18
CONTINUOUS TRAINS NOT RUN.
HEARING OF A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE
MANHATTAN COMPANY.

The Board OF State Railroad Commissioners held
a session in the rooms of the Chamber Of Com
merce yesterday. There were present Commission
ers Alfred c. Chaplin, Michael Richard and Samuel
A. Beardsey. The matter under consideration was
the complaint made by George J. Grossman that
the Manhattan Railway Company had violated the
law running continuous trains between points
north and south OF the Harlem River. Adolph q
Hottenroth appeared as counsel for Mr.. Grosslnan
and j. r Davies ~ counsel for the Manhattan Com
pany Mr.. Davies said that he did not deny that
no continuous trains were run. but there was he
held good reason for the omission.
Mr.. Davies declared further that there were phys
teal difficulties preventing the company from com
plying with the desire expressed by Mr.. Grossman;
also that the charters and agreements under which
the company operated the different lines did not
entail the duty of running continuous trains be-
tween the points named.
The first witness called was s. T. Smith. super
ntendent OF general transpor, alton of all lines. who
said that record kept Of the openings and
closing Of the Harlem drawbridgc. This record was
fled daily IN the main Office Of the company Mt
Smith affixed his signature TO the daily report
which gave the time duration of each opening Of
the drawbrlge. lie said he not civil engi-
neer and had merely a layman's knowledge as to
what could could not be done In railroad ana
bridge construction. He could not give Judgment as
to possible or. impossible connections that might or
II. ght not be made to enable the running Of con-
tiruous trains \ map Of the locality in question
vas exhibited 10 the Commissioners. Counsel for
Mr. Grossman objected to the Introduction OF the
map lie declared that the map was Incorrect IN
several features. The map was. however. ad-
ltted In evidence Witness declared that there was
difficulty In preventing a congestion or travel at
certain hours Vessels on the river always had the
right OF way and there could be no delay IN opening
the drawbrl1ge whenever required.
Counsel for Mr. Grossman exhibited several pas
senger tickets which he had purchased at different
stations These tickets. counsel said, entitled pas
sonscrs to a continuous trip
r. T. Whec'er. mileage c.crk. was the next VII
ness He testified that II trains were run contn,
uously 100 trains day Of twenty-four hours wouli
be required. -
Charles D. McFadlen general ticket agent, was
examined a : the amount OF passenger trall'
Traffic on the suburban lines he said. had Increase"
since 1894 BcOw the Harlem River there mad been
a decrease. ~.
Mr. Gr0ssman himself called upon 10 TESTIFY.
He said that the crush ~ people AT one
tWrnty-ninih-st AZ times So great as 20 en-
danger NE and limb. People from suburban trains
met with those from trains from downtown me
crushs at times was terrible. Men, women ana
chi dren ran AMI iost.el against one another. Tn"
greatest Inconvenience from the overcrowdng was
at morning and evening -,
The taking Of testimony was c,osed. an1 Chairman
Bcarisiey OF the Board Of Railroad Comin.ssion"rs
announced that "A decision would be given on
Inn.