The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-06
COMMUTERS KICKS PASSED ON
PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD SENDS
THEN TO SECOND DISTRICT.

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Accident-Mstter Of q Counsel Taken
ID, but senate Pages Name Not Men,
Misunderstanding on OF Complaints.
The Public Service Commission held two
long seasons yesterday behind closed
doors. and but little of what happened was
made public. There was a report about
the headquarters at so Broadway in the
morning that there might he a public
session in the afternoon. but the hopes OF
the reporters were dashed soon afterward
when the commission went into secret
session and remained there until after s
O'Clock.
When the meeting broke up a type
written statement covering half a page
~ paper was given out explaining that
a number Of complaints calling attention
20 the increase in rates by the New York
Central on communication tickets on the
Harlem division had beer forwarded to the
commission for the Second district at
Albany.
In explaining this action Chairman Will
cox Of the local commission said:
The act, In section S. In defining the juris-
diction. Of the commission OF the First district.
states that IL shall extend TO such portion
Of the lines Of railroads other than street rail-
roads so far as concerns the construction.
maintenance. equipment. terminal facilities
and local transportation facilities and local
transportation OF persons or property within
that district.
Another subdivision OF the same section
provides that all Jurisdiction not specifically
granted to the commission Of the First dis
trict shall be vested in and be exercised by
the commission of the Second district and
that this shall include the regulation and
control Of all transportation OF persons or
property and the instrumentalities connected
With such transportation on any railroad
other than a street railroad from a point
within either district to a point within tbe
other district"
Mr.. Wilcox further said that the only
communications received and forwarded
20 the commission for the Second district
as to the increase Of fares OF the New York
Central we're from points outside the city.
The matter Of the accident on the B, r. T.
at midnight on Thursday at ~Sheepshead
Bay. by which traffic on the Brighton Beach
line was blocked for several hours. was
taken up by the commission and it was
determined to send inspectors to look into
the circumstances 1t was ala determined
% compel all public service corporations
10 report Immediately any accident that
may happen.
One of the matters to come before the
board yesterday was the selection OF counsel.
There was a rumor that Senator Alfred r.
Page would be appointed. but after the
meeting was over President Wilcox said
that the Senator's name was not brought
into the discussion, which was merely
general. In fact he said he was not aware
that the Senate was a candidate.
srkn .ala~xy - AIa neI1a - onsYn.~l a.. H.,S
SO 1000 a year and the lawyer who takes
it is expected to devote his entire time
10 the work of the commission. Lawyers
of the kind needed by the commission
are not by any mean plentiful. for those
who have special knowledge on the subject
in question receive a much larger stipend
from the public service corporations. 1t
is not believed that the commission will
take any decided stand on any question
Of Importance until it can have the benefit
Of counsel. The appointment may be
mated also that thereD Knight be an open
session OF the commission to-day. h
selection OF counsel. however, will probably
be made behind closed doors.
Fewer complaints than heretofore were
received yesterday and there was but one
communication, about the Eleventh avenue
tracks of the New York Central Railroad.
All the committees reported progress. but
none OF the communications received was
finally acted upon.
The matter of allowing the marlborough
Metropolitan Company TO lay a third track
for express trains on the Second and Third
avenue elevated ines was not. according
10 President Wilcox. discussed at all. This
~ heme is supposed to be favored by Com
missioner Eustis, who lives in The Bronx.
where the sentiment in favor Of the i'm
Irovement is said to be very strong. Com
missioner Bassett, who lives in Flatbush,
ia said 10 favor a third track for the elevated
system in Brooklyn, but he would not commit
himself yesterday. He admitted that he
he'd examined traffic conditions in Brooklyn
end that he had seen a great many wrongs
there. but at present he did not think It
advisable TO say just what he had seen.
There will be no half holiday to-day
and tbs commission will as usual hold two
sessions. Tomorrow there will be some
one on hand until IL O'Clock at night to
receive complaints. There was a great
rush yesterday for the minor jobs that the
commission will hand out. but only soant
g'tention was paid TO the applications, as
tn, commission cannot consider such mat
tors until il is thoroughly organized.