Evening star., 1907-08-03
NEW YORK CAR SERVICE
BAD AND EXPENSIVE AS IT CAN
WELL BE MADE

NEW YORK, August s-OnHciais Of the
Interborough-Metropo Company were
quizzed yesterday by William NJ. 1vins,
special counsel to the public service COM
mission, in the desperate hope that, by
once more turning over the mass of infor
nation possessed by these witnesses, the
commission might discover a solution OF
New York city's transportation problem.
Conditions familiar to every one who
travels within the city limits were re-
hearsed. and at the days end the investi-
gators found themselves confronted With
the old puzzle Of how to put three pints'
In quart measure, In other words, the
one fact that stood out prominently
throughout the examination was the
growth Of the city's population had out
incidentally. four points Of interest were
developed. These were brought out during
the questioning Of Frank Hedley, general
manager of the subway division Of the In
Shonts, president Of the 1nterborough b Met
ropolitan Company.
Infamable Cars.
The first was the admission that the COM
pany had taken no definite action as the
result OF the resolution Of the rapid transit
commission. Of June, 1906 condemning the
use OF inf1ammable cars in the subway.
President Bryan Of the Interborough Rapid
Transit Company had said he did not con-
sder the resolution equivalent to an order
70 change the subway cars, and General
manager Hedley said 1t had meyer been
brought to his attention officially. The res
olution had been adopted following an &C
ctdent, and recommended that. in addition
to the substitution Of non-infiammab BILE cars,
an adequate water supply for fire service
be provided in the subway, and additional
openings for the escape Of smoke from the
tube be arranged The company, it was
for two years. but as yet had not progressed
beyond the experimental stage.
From Mr.. Shonts it was learned that
the company's motormen on an average
were not SO efficient two years ago.
Mr.. Shonts admitted ethat the inferiority
Of the motor1men might account in some
measure for the bad service. He placed
the blame on labor conditions for the ne
cessity of employing men Of inferior cali
Der.
Belmont Holdings.
During Mr.. Shonts' examination Paul D.
Cravath, counsel for the railway people,
volunteered tho information that the stock
OF the new Belmont tunnel was owned
by the Interborough Rapid Transit Com
pany.
Interesting figures regarding the cost Of
some Of the street car hines were spread
the fact that the 42d street crosstown line
had cost, according to the Interborough-
Metropolitan's books 1854. 40 per mile, and
that the Fulton street line, which was built
as horse car line, had cost 81. 533. 600 per
mile for track and equipment. He asked
Mr.. Shonts II he had ever heard Of a city
railway line that had cost 10 much Mr..
Shonts admitted that he never had.
Cost Per Nile.
Mr.. WINS referred to the a4th street cross
town line. which, he said, had cost $s,412,-
2S7 per mile.
Mr. Shonts said he was not sufficiently
familiar with the history Of the matter to
comment on the cost Of the various street
railway lines
Mr. WINS read a long list Of various
railroads and the figures in the sworn re-
ports. showing the cost Of road and equip
ment per mile.
The Kings Bridge Railroad Company cost
$7O0 156 per mile. The New York City
Railroad Company cost IS, 1854 .4s4 per mile
mileage 2S5s, cost only $42,S63 per mile
for road and equipment. Union Railroad
Company, mileage 1927, cost per mile
Mr. WINS showed that the ten miles of
the Sth avenue surface line had cost $780,
143 per mile for road and equipment while
the Fort George and Eleventh avenue road,
less than Q mile in length. had cost SO, ,636,-
25S. The Sd avenue surface line, 13 10 miles
long, had required $3 800, 162 for road and
equipment per mile.
Mr. Shonts agreed with Mr. WINS sug-
gestion that the company furnish the COM
mission, within thirty days, with state
ment of the physical values Of it's various
properties.