New-York tribune., 1907-07-18
TILT IN P. S. BOARD,
METZ LETTER 4ROUSES II.
Controller Says There Is Nozo No
Money for Sub7cays.


policy which Commissioner Bassett has done his
to instil in the relations of the Public Ser
vice Commission with the city resulted in lively
tilt among the members Of the commission yes
terday morning at the open session.
A letter from Controller Metz officially submit
ting TO the commission cory of the opinion Of
Corporation Counsel Pendleton the constitu-
tonality of the bill. in which the Controller sug-
gested Of action for the commission on sew
eral OF the most perpleXng rapid transit problems
it is facing and advised that subways would prove
too expensive TO construct read by Mr. Bassett
who then moved that ii and copy of the opinion
he made a part of the minutes of the commission
In moment Commissioner McCarroll was on his
feet heatedly objecting TO the motion
The letter of Mr.. Metz. his opinion Of the con-
stitutonaty Of the public service act, Mr.. Pende-
toms opinion or anybody eises opinion is no part
Ct official business and l object to its being
entered on our minutes he vehemently exclaimed
NIr Bassett. somewhat surprised by the heat
with which his brother commissioner spoke, has
explain that he had made the motion purely
as a matter of convenience. matter Incorporated
in the minutes of the commission was more ac-
cessble for reference members than ii filed else
where.
Mr.. McCarron persisted In his objection, and soon
Commissioners Wilcox and Eustis rallied to his
assistance. while Commissioner Maltbie held his
peace and apparently found the discussion anus
ing. Mr.. Bassett withdrew his motion. but old so
with evident reluctance. He then moved that the
commission have printed copies of Mr.. Pendleton's
opinion.
Il object: I object" shouted Mr.. MccarrolL
What does his opinion amount 10 as far as we are
concerned? It's of our business.
Onslaught No. was a little more than the Brook
lyn commissioner bargaining for. and with
patient smile he then moved that the letter and
opinion he simply filed. This motion was seconded
and unanimously carried.
The heat with which Commissioner McCarrol
opposed Mir Bassetts motions at first difficult
10 explain One Rrooklynite who happened TO be
he
sonal friend of Mr. Basset, but Just reverse rela-
tions existed between the former and Commissioner
MCCarroll.
The Controllers letter said:
PERSONALLY l need not assure you again or my
hearty cooperation and best wishes appreciate
the arduous task which you ana your associates
have before you and how important 10 the future
growth and prosperity of this city your decisions
will be
y do not want to give you any advice. but pos
sihiy II might be amiss state that my OK
perience IN the Rapid Transit Railroad Commits
sion and the study I gave to the questions in
voved have taught that what we want ls
transportation now, or near now as possible
not for future generations but for ourselves To
mind. Of course the quickest solution that would
give relief would be the third track the elevated
| roads to The Bronx An elevated loop between tho
bridges think has got to come, despite tho fact
that building the subway loop. With the
completion of the Fourth avenue subway in Brook
lyn and the early tannG up Of the Broadway
Lafayette avenue connection OF the subway he
present Manhattan subway loop will be taxed TO its
utmost by taking care of the Brooklyn subway
the elevated loop for relief.
'Subways Of course would be ideal but the city's
constructing with any more of its money for
the next two or three years TO come is out Of the
question. and unless our assessments are lacked
up considerably. and 10 my mind they could stand
1t with entire justice, there is no hope of getting
surplus funds for subway construction by the city"
The commission for this district received from
the commission for the second district letter
which had been by the Merchants Association
to the old state Gas and Electricity Commission.
That board had Acknowledged the recent OF rho
cor hut had aIra
committee and electricity OF the Merchants
Association had made an Investigation Of certain
methods pursued by the New York Edison com
pany and had decided that the company should
serve all customers without regard 10 what the
purchaser might put the current TO-
The effect Of this decision would be to force the
Edison company TO serve other electric companies
even though the latter IN direct competition
with II. Again. the Merchants Association wished
the old Gas and Electricity Commission 10 direct
the Edison company TO furnish breakdown ser
vice fair and equitable price-that is service
10 other oompapies when their plants were out OF
order.
1t was alleged that the Edison company generally
refused to furnish any breakdown" service at
all. The Edison company replied TO all the a-cu-
ments Of the Merchants Association. maintaining
that IL was justified by the fact that 10 furnish
such service would be 70 aid and succor its com
petitors and that the profit from such service was
entirely disproportonato 10 the cost because the
charges or the company restricted by law
The Public Service Commission was asked N
take up this matter and make suggestions to the
Legislature for modifying the law governing nIch
corporations if II deemed such action desirable
The commission received a report from President
Nreeland Of the New York City Railway Companv
giving us reasons for the removal of the surface
cars on the Seventh avenue and Broadway line
This report was in reply the request for one .en+
commission. " ~
The reasons advanced by the road were outlined
IN The Tribune previously, The report will be con-
sidered by the commission in executive session
and II II deems II advisable IL will order the com
pany TO renew tho service
Mr. Bassett reported the conapIaint of Tob, /.
Commissioner nj Nat
Electricity that the Westchester Lighting C'on1nan
had been Permitted put a twelve-inch main mn
der Broadway, between 230th and 242d streets q,
the place where his department had Intended n
place thirty six inch water main AIr RassAtt
suggested further investiga tion of the matter
Ihe commissioners discussed in executive session
tle accident on the Third avenue elevated road ON
TUESDAY. Mr.. Eustis was appointed committee
OF one 10 investigate II and report The coInmission
was informed OF the accident by officials Of the road
soon after II occurred and engineer was M onca
sent TO the scene. ~ ~
During the afternoon committee representing all
the civic organizations in The Bronx called M tho
oinces OF the commission and requested a general
hearing on all matters concerning rapid transit IN
The Bronx The hearing will be had on August X
at o'clock. -
The first public hearing given by the new com,
mission VIII take place this afternoon at its Offices
at NO $40 broadway, on the removal Of the tracks
OF the New York Central in Eleventh avenue The
commission wishes to obviate the necessity for CON
defnnation proceedings which will cost the CITY
one commissioner thought. hardly less than a b,n
dred million dollars. The subject was gone over
fully In the executive session yesterday
Nothing was done toward the appointment ~
counsel Vi