New-York tribune., 1907-09-17
POLICE MAKE SCHEDULE
OREN ROOTS DEFENCE.
Cannot Obey Order Because 1raF1c
Conditions PreUent.


the P,,b1ic Service Commission intends issuing
70 different transit companies for increased SER
vice and equipment held yesterday alCeF-
noon It was order to the New YORK Cl'S
Railway Company to show cause why an IN
crease in the service of the Madison and Fourth
avenue line should not be obeyed
Oren Root the general manager OF the COM
pany. testified about the physical conoltlohS
governing operation on the line NJ. H Ryan,
an engineer of the commission. also tolo ol
taking statistics of the movement of traffic on
4he line Abel E BIackrnar. counsel for the
commission. conducted the examination OF Wit
naeses and the road was also represented py
counsel.
The road had found it impossible to live up to
its schedules because of the congested condluoh
of vehicle traffic in lower Broadway. Mr. ROOT
said Until the city took steps TO relieve this
congestion the witness thought an order to IN
crease the number of cars on the hhe "oulu
afford little relief TO passenger traffic we
have enough cars to carry the order INTO el-eo'
immediately" added Mr. Root, IF the commls-
sion decides 10 issue it, but I hardly see that
much good can be accomplished thereby Inc
proposed order provides for the operation OF
total of $50 additional cars.
.'The congestion at three points retaros opera
tion on the Madison avenue line SAID MI
Root Those points are at Grand street anu
.be r7ovyerv 42d street and Fourth avenue and
90. street and Fourth avenue"
IN detail the witness described the reasons
why the schedules could not be followed
Commissioner Maltbie, who presideo a' '
hearing. then examined Mr. Root If more
cars are put on during rush hours "oulu ho'
that increase the seating capacity" he asked
..1t u-ould the seating but not the carrying ca
citv and would slow up the speed that Is
now made" replied Mr.. Root
.The carving capacity of the Madison avenue
line cannot be improved under present cohul-
tions" said Mr.. Root; that Is. during rush
hours" He said the company found II IihPo'
chic IN get more than 525 cars by Fourth ave-
ma and 23d street between 5:15 and 6:l9' AL
one time the schedule called for seven Hu'N N
cars you must remember that we 90 not ue-
eide how many cars can be moved 'He1e ~
said. THAT is determined by the police. When
the policeman blows his Whlsus 'Ae O''' 49,
ahead and not until them
NJ II R1an one of the commissions engineers
+hen took the stand. He testified as 10 u4e
noints he had selected for checking places
r,,et before the hearing adjourned taoulauons
regarding the running OF cars on hi
were put in evidence. Counsel for the company
will Cross-examne Mr.. Ryan after they nave
examined the data that were put IN evidence
Commissioner Maltbe refused to discuss the
4
ticipatfng the action Of the comnhssloH' "e
replied in answer to questions
The Edison company has Informed some OF
tte customers. II was said yesterday that II
would charge ten cents a kilowatt hour after
certain date. The commission VIII pronaoIy re-
ceive protests from consumers to-day ana may
take prompt action on them. Until formal COM
n1aints have been received no action VIII De
taken.
1t was rumored yesterday that the cofnhlls-
sion would soon begin an investigation or the
evnress companies in New York City. It's coun-
sci has advised that it has power 10 regulate
the charge for the delivery OF packag ges within
the city limits Many complaints have been
received that the express companies charges
are excessive. All Of these have been fled and
action of some kind is expected shortly.
At the public meeting in the morning resolu-
tions passed at mass meetings in Brooklyn, in
dorsing the building OF the proposed Fourth
avenue tunnel were read and filed without dis
cussion. The commission ratified four year
lease for its present quarters in The Tribune
Building.
The subcommittee on the proposed Fourth
avenue subway will probably make its report
to the commission to-day Commissioner Eustis
said yesterday that Chairman Wilcox had
asked the committee TO have its report pre-
pared in time to make it the Gay of his return.
There will be" said Mr.. Eustis. "a general
discussion Of the problem and also a discus
sion of the report, II It is made tomorrow. The
commission is anxious 10 settle the matter as
soon as possible"
Chairman Wilcox gets back to-day and will
preside at the next hearing Of the inquiry into
the Interborough- Metropolitan Company. which
Will be held tomorrow. 1t is probable that the
merger will indicate It's intentions in regard
TO the orders Of the commission to turn over
books for the inspection Of its expert account
ant to-day or Tomorrow