New-York tribune., 1907-01-03

operation of the parts within the city OF inter-
state trunk lines.
condition. Two boards created by the Legislat-
ure are exercising powers of the greatest inn
portance with reference to transportation The
Board OF Rapid Transit Commissioners is deal
ing with the question of facilities and is
empowered to make contracts for construction
ana operation. 1t is also dealing with the ques-
tlon of the construction of trunk lines into or
across the city. The State Board of Railroad
Commissioners has general Jurisdiction over the
railroads of the state and has supervisory
powers the surface lines and the elevated
roads in the city. 1t does not exercise jurfsdic-
ton over the subwayS, as these We're constructed
under the Rapid Transit act But while the
powers of supervision divided the interests
in control of the surface. elevated and subway
lines are now united IN a single corporation.
This situation should be met by a compre-
hensive plan All the operations of railroad
companies in the territory of greater New York
should be under the supervision of board.
And the board that is to have the power TO SUI
pervse generally these operations should have
the power of initiating plans and of making
contracts for the construction and operation of
new lines. Instead of two boards dealing with
different phases of the same problem there
should be board empowered to deal with II
in its entirety. AS such a board would exercise
important state powers of control and regula
ton, 1t should be state board and should be
composed Of men familiar with conditions in the
territory affected. In my judgment it would not
be advisable to put all these matters under the
control either of the present Board of Railroad
Commissioners or of the new commission which
l have proposed 10 take its place. The urgent
and the unique conditions existing in greater
New York justify the creation of a separate
board to deal with the entire matter OF trans
portation in that part of the state
l recommend that the Board of Rapid Transit
Commissioners be abolished and that new
board be created. to have ell the powers now
exercised by the Rapid Transit Board, and also
to have powers with reference to operations
within the territory of greater New York-or, if
deemed abe. within wider district en-
bracing the adjoining counties into which GER
tain lines of the surface railroads eXtend-simi-
lar to the powers which l have suggested should
be conferred upon the commission for the
rest of the state. There would thus be included
the regulation of gas and electric corporations.
Provision should be made for the retention by
the Board of Estimate and ApportOnment of
the city of all the powers. including powers Of
approval, which 1t now enjoys. The commits
sion proposed for the state generally should
have jurisdiction over all traffic between points
within the city of New York and points else
where in the state 1t IS believed that in this
manner the whole question of transportation, and
of gas and electric service, in the territory of
greater New York be dealt with in an in
telligent and efficient manner and that to the
fullest extent possible the just requirements Of
that great community may be satisfied.