New-York tribune., 1907-02-27
HUGHES ON B. r. T. EVILS
SAYS THEY MUST STOP.
Gouernor Gets Grand Jury Present
ment-Reiterates Vic7cs.

Albany. Feb. 26.-"Abuses of this kind result
ing from improper or inadequate service must
he stopped" declared Governor Hughes to-day
4. reference to a presentment of the Kings
county Grand Jury addressed to him. which
told in detail some Of the shortcomings of the
17roollvn Rapid Transit Company. The Gov
arror intends they shall be stopped and the
erophasis which he laid on the effectiveness Of
b,s plan Cor a new state commission to super
wise the transit situation indicated how close
that project lies to his heart.
senator Gilchrist placed in my hands pre-
sentiment Of the Kings County Grand Jury
said the Governor. 'As YOU know, I am deeply
interested in the consideration of questions
lating 10 transit abuses. I appreciate the con-
6itions referred to in the presentment. I re-
<arTed 70 them in my message TO the Legisla-
t1re.
81. state plan for effective supervision would
rrovide means for their correction. and such
plan now is under consideration Abuses Of this
liud resulting from inadequate or improper ser
vice must he stopped. I trust the Legislature
vii take action along the lines indicated in my
message which will lead to the regulation of the
transit companies in the interest Of the public
senator Page who is handling the publis uti
,,ies biu which is desig- d to put into effec;
tie Governors suggestions for effective regula-
tIon through a public utilities commission.
said today THAI h would &c: the bill ready for
Introduction thts week "oE bust" He in
consultation this morning with the Governor on
a redraf, OF this measure. Numberless techni-
cal difficulties have been experienced in prepar-
ing this important legislation, but when it is
presented its supporters believe il will he in
such shape that nc quibble can he raised on the
meaning or effect Of any section and that no
honest opposition can be made to the measure
on the score Of its construction.
The presentment Of tho Kings County Grand
Jury follows:
To his Excenency. Charles h Hughes. Governor
Of the State Of New York.
Sir: We, the grand jury for the month Of Feb
Tuary in the County OF Kings, do make this pre-
During our session have taken UP and nves-
tgated the service which Is operated ana con-
1T0Iied by the BROOKLYN Heights Railroad system
Investigation we nave had before various off,
Gals OF that corporation but owing to the SECRECY
which is imposed upon us by law we are are pro o.
hibited from making pubic thgr tess0RS s 0nSce m
detail m \ b nT6no 6T8o 81 of presentng TO Your excel
iencv the open and notorious disregard on the
naf1cisrt service and the abuses Of its franchise
1t is well known and the SesIil9hy 40 OTIol Ines the
running time of Is upon suc1 A long ilg Iiill
condition Of the cars. This orercrowding ana PACK &
ing OF the are due TO the deat TIA his % con-
5ifian finally results in depriving men, women anu anu
ehiloren I % eqIst are required by the company to
leave the at various points ana TAKE me o''
fDGer these conditions passengers are Obliged to
al0tIt and stand in the open stEeet VIM" -
lection from inclement weather. ,,5. can he. no
The grand Jury find that there IS: ana can Oe,
iustiicaton for this course OF conduct Oh u'e pa
oi Tine Ihe erc TO and from the street ferry Is
frrerular incompetent and unsatisfactoTy " illlg
there is some excuse Tor ms oG 's n - Re none for
boats. there IS anC CaH l1H
the niggardy policy OF the company ~ "a 30
Tor bur one Of each line TO meet tEe poa.s ~.
which the largest number OF psissellse9 -,
travel. which compeis those VINO can ~ 81 on md mn
10 ride in overcrOWdeG, uncollIC! 1'tDio anu O''
Passengere are unloaded from the elevated trains
stree: and Fifth avenue anu uaIISitI Gu -
rroIIa crs fo- Transportation south on Fiith ave
- --Tba company has ample side tracks at this
point and q barn about halI Iiiie usta
The same system Of orercrowdng the cars osE oIll
quertIv the delay between cars is bAFeasohaiD DE @
snd linwarranted Persons entitled To- ride are
.rrd nor only The interior OF the car oNercEoWQed
bit the platforms. steps and back bunper liieI as
we'll ali hours or the Gay ala nls' iittn is %
excuse in reference &c the CROWDED cpIoI.Lottl %
traffic on Fllitou cannot possibly tppy mere
the opportunity for go9d seIyiSs ] Is mos -
fa-ora bic II the company were disposed 20 g1lll II
The elevated station at 36tE street ana FlIih q .
nue. being the junction Of several lines, IS ire
quently crowded and the waiting rooms PIoH .pS q
<o- No shelter Of passengers IN incement WcatHet
30 totally INADEQUATE. and the company shoud De
required furnish more protection during INC WIN
The numoer Of cars run OF the Hamilton avenue
line from Third avenue and p5lh Siieel 70 ram
fl.0n Ferry is inadequate TO the needs OF the tTSN
cling public using il The cars during non uS u
hours are frequently much overcIoWde1 aho inc
distance between them unreasonable.
Tre complaints OF indtVl duais ana CIVIC DouIt5
have been ignored. The demand for relef rom
these intolerable conditions mas peen er
We yoGr eNceIlency iOF hLd III our eIL =
% correct these abuses. and ASH Tor the appoint
tn,ni OF n commission 70 investigate me mat
ABOVE briefly referred to- "ltl view OI IuilHuidI
! HARRY FISHER.
Foreman Kings County Grand jury