The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-31
COMPLAINTS AGAINST B. K. I.
REPORT OF THE STATE BOARD OF
RAILRoAD COMMISSIONERS.

Many Of the Complaints Declared to Be
Unfounded - Tho Board Recommends
That Transfers he Granted ut Thirty
sixth and sixiy-hfth Streets and That
Convenient waiting Rooms he Provided.
ALBANY, Dec 3O.-The State Board OF Rail-
road Commissioners to-day made pubic tho
result OF its investigation OF complaints MADE
last month by citizens OF South brooklyn re-
earding tho operation OF the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Railroad system. Similar complaints
were made at the same time by residents OF
Flushing. Corona and aljacen places and they
will he disposed OF by the board later. The
commission Is OF the opinion that no perfect
and satisfactory system OF operation and
accommodation. either to the public or the
transportation company. can be devised. and
most certainly no permanent relief afforded to
the public. until some Of the projected new
tunnels or bridges between the two boroughs
are constructed. In its report the commits
sion says
Apart from the determination OF the eight
specific points hereinafter set forth. the COM
plants embodied many individual complaints
regarding insufficient cars lily lighted cars.
the overcrowding Of cars, irreRularity OF cars
and trains on headway. the running OF ele-
waited trains past stations without stopping to
take up waiting pass enRers. and similar mat
tention by motormen on surface cars to tho
eirnals OF passengers; the unclean condition
OF cars and stations and others OF like
character In respect to these complaints.
II may be said and It Ia the fact that
there ls not and is not likely to be In
Manhattan AMI Brooklyn for many years q
time when all cars will be otherwise than over
crowded during the morning and evening
hours II real rapid transit Is required at the
same time II there we're fewer cars running
the rapid movement OF all would be facilitated.
The complete en- .orgement by cars OF all the
streets In Brooklyn converging toward the
bridge ard through Fulton street as far as
Flatbush avenue. already rctards traflc. AZ
fcctnG more than half OF the lines in the
entire borough. To put more cars on the
service there now. even II practicable. would
only make matters worse.
When cars have been slowed up and block
AIDED they must make up lost time as soon as
they arc freed or the whole car movement
would he deranged everywhere. This applies
10 every form OF railroad operation. and Is the
most frequent cause for the failure to take up
waiting passengers and for Irregularities in
heaiway. Il Is not at all uncommon 70 find
fifty. even hundred, cars stalled by the break
The TRACKS. hut the thousands OF incommOded
the trouble ahead and readily blame the rail:
read management As to the complaints OF
car a. the end Of each trip and washes out each
car when II is run OF at night. Concerning
,hhe e Hoard Of Health Of Brookyn recently es
nmlned aud reported on his subject and found
such complaints unfoundci.
Concerning the character and condition OF
the tracks and equipment Of the company the
board finds that the tracks on every, principal
quality and construction and are maintained
in good condition. In few outlying localities.
wholly uuIavel. the tracks are not in nrst.class
condition. though they are equal to the average
temi-rurai cnmmnnities Abou, Is per cent OF
the comnauy'S total mileage Ia in hrst-ciass
order With respect to rolling stock. the com
phnys surface ear equipment Is equal in
quality. comfort and condition to that OF any
other company Of WHICH this board has know;
modern pattern and almost i. not quite new.
and al are well lighted and warmed in winter
The nianlsement o. the company e earnest
aud Az" viii hereafter De- called upon. annually.
TO accommodate. No other street railway
ayf eyer Ssro s,aPp%d With b so dS1,
CIT By experiment md practical demonstration
through, results. The handling OF the vast
PASS over these lines from the borough OF Man
haitian and contiguous communities. using
Island. aud the scores Of other seaside or rural
resorts on Long Island. prom ses to give thu
AMI reyeuu", but 10 bring before 1t some op-
era,,ng rohlems OF the first magnitude.
The board has. incidental to this present In
ycst.ga,lon aud report gwen attention. to this
question Of next, summers traffic for the
rensnp that It would hay- been unwise aud in
sufficient TO have made ofd-ra which might
have relieved conditions mt this time. but
which would have led to great confusion and
in"itrt"ncy three or six mouths hence These
cons! !erlticns OF the future, though not spe-
eh'a!ly "a sd by the Complaints themselves.
ins OF tn" principal ndations EN- braced
In taxing over the elevated railways OF
RfGDklyu the hnya aotad
with good judgment toward the unihcation OF
methods IA handling its v1st business The
working ont details tor the abatement OF an
noyunces aud incunvspiences complained Of.
her" referred TO- fhe b GARD therefore deter
mines and recommends:
First That the comprny grant OPTIONAL
Ete tran SieEs at al hours. az Third avenue and
R'S'y;iii'h street and , a. ;, fii.h avenue and
elevated or ;urlace lines. The board recog-
nizrs here doubt regarding its power to re-
lu,re the contrary to issue interchangeable
Transfers on single fare between the surface
enl thu elevated liz 5. tut this recommends-
ZION Is made. although such transfer may be
hrrlvege rather than right. In the belief
that Oh" com pany will grant II.
Il actuated by the belief that the companys
order Of Nov. l. issuing limited transfers at
the. Son was mas on tn. vel 1Sseh and
f faTt he riders Bay
Na'el railways, so as TO enable the company to
give fuller service and better accommodation
u the Short-distance riders Of Third and Fifth
avenues and their connections. Careful obser-
Na'on given by the boari personally 10 this
subject, on various days and at different
hours leads Enthusiastically to the conclusion
tina At least 10 per cent. OF the passengers
coming from the places above referred to will
voluntarily use the elevated lines on the op-
tiona transfer during the so-calLed rush
hours OF the morning and evening. This will.
ia effect, be the practical accomplishment OF
NE very purpose OF the company's order Of
Nov, ]. AT the same time the effect OF the OPP
tiona transfer will be to enable aged and in
firm persons and children 70 avoid the exertion
ant fatigue Of ascending the stairs at oil hours,
willie Il also enables shoppers to visit their
special shopping districts between the chief
shopping hours. y A, NJ. to 4 L. NJ. when the
rush 'raillc Is not taking place.
Inc board discovered by personal examina-
ton. however. that thousands OF persons. who
may be classci ~ short-distance riders are In
III" habit Of using the elevated lines to the
common centre OF B,ooklyn and the Bridge.
ma If the over-crowded conditions of these
trans are shown by experience to increase and
continue. the company will be warranted In
taking sters to divert those short -dstance
I"rs TO tho surface cars The board will re-