New-York tribune., 1906-07-18
Mr.. ROGERS A PUZZLE
WILLING TO LOSE MONEY.
Staten Islanders MarUsg at HIS Neg
lect of TroJley System.

"If Mr. Rogers would only go TO Staten Island
and spend three hours there, alone, with nobody
at his elbow TO gloss the defects OF the troll
ley system which he controls. feel sure that he
would discover enough 60 make him change his
expressed opinion that the road is well run and
TO determine him that 1t would be 20 his best
interests TO invest in new rolling stock and TO
employ a new manager"
In these words one OF the largest stockholders
in the Richmond Light and Railroad Company
voiced yesterday the opinions Of many OF the
better informed residents of Staten Island. who
cannot believe that such a shrewd business man
as Henry H. Rogers Is can possibly know Of the
uismanasement of his property.
The facts Of the situation. as published IN The
Tribune, are admitted TO be true by all who have
knowledge of conditions in Staten Island. That
the rolling stock IS. generally speaking. only ht
for the scrap heap; that the tracks are in bad
condition: that the power houses are not capable
Of generating enough power to run the cars and
furnish lights for the borough; that what cars
are possessed are run slipshod schedule are
facts known 90 all who have to use the service.
"In the first place. an energetic. capable gem
eral manager is needed. who viii devote all his
time, nights and days. 20 the road" said this
stockholder. ''The present occupant of the
Office Mr.. Hazelrigg, spends a good deal of his
time in Asbury Park looking after Mr.. Rogers's
railroad interests there. and his summer home rs
there too. IL is impossible for him to give the
attention to the Staten Island system that II
demands and. even If he a capable man
for the position the time he has at his disposal
would not permit of his properly overseeing the
roads. have a lot of money tied up in the en-
terprise and I have never received a penny in
terest the common stock hold have pro-
tested. as have others. at the misrnanagement,
only TO be told by Mr.. Rogers that he has fun
confidence in his present manager. and that, in
his belief. the road exceedingly we'll run
It is Mr.. Rogers's apparent willingness TO
own a trolley system that loses money steadily
that is the most puzzling factor in the situation.
Mr.. Rogers does not usually put his money into
any venture that does not bring good returns.
That he may have some ulteriOr motive in per-
mitting the storm of public indignation TO grow
is believed by some.
At the time of the expiration Of the old ferry
franchise Mr. Rogers was a strong contestant
for new franchise. the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road interests being the other contender. Mayor
Low could not get from either such terms as he
though favorable enough so the city took the
ferry over itself. If Mr.. Rogers had acquired
this franchise 1t is believed that he might have
improved the trolley service; failing to get it,
there are those who figure that he would not
worry much If the municipal ownership expert
ment were extended 70 the operation of the
trolleys.
Many examples are quoted of the saving policy
OF the present management. One OF them was
TO stop running cars shortly after midnight. until
the State Railway Commission practically forced
it TO furnish cars 70 meet the early morning
boats. Another example is as 70 paving between
the tracks. By the terms OF the franchises OBJ
tanned from the old village boards the trolley
company is obliged 70 keep the paving in order
between the tracks. Recently the city has been
putting down lot of new wood paving in the
borough. and the trolley company was called
upon 90 do its share. It promptly refused. on
the ground that when the franchises were grant
ed only macadam pavement was contemplated.
The only way that Borough President Crom-
nv he
city do the work and informing the railway COM
pany that 1t would have to pay back. II Is eX-
pected that before the city can get back the
money it is eXpendng in this way II viii have 70
appeal to the courts
The men who are behind the proposed Anti
Nuisance League are determined to fight the
company tooth and nail unless reforms are
granted. thorough investigation Of the terms
OF the old franchises is to be made 20 determine
whether some action does not lie for forfeiture
OF the franchises, IL is believed that the con-
ditions have not been kept in many instances.
The first public meeting of the league will take
place next Tuesday at the Staten island Acad-
eIny at New Brighton, when the league will be
properly Organized