New-York tribune., 1907-08-06
NOT TO CALL VREELAND.
NO IMMUNITY FOR HIN.
RUan and Belmont Also UM Not BE
Put on Stand by IUins.

Unwilling to give him the advantage Of the
immunity clause in the public service law. Will
lam NJ. WINS, special counsel for the Public Ser
wee Commission. will call Herbert II. Vree-
land to testify during the Interborough- Metro
poltan merger Investigation. He is the third
official OF the company that NIr WINS has prac-
ticalIy decided not to summon. The other two
Thomas +. Ryan and August Belmont
Mr.. Vreeand. who is president Of the Metro
politan Securities Company, has had much to do
with the financing of the Interborough sys-
TEN. He was until yesterday supposed TO be
among the first witnesses to be called. Yester-
day Mr WINS reached the decision that 1t would
be for the best interests OF the investigation not
to put him on the stand.
MI WINS Is determined 10 push the inyestiga-
tion the limit. regardless OF whom ii may
strike. and for this reason is opposed TO calling
witnesses that are not absolutely needed and
thus give them the protection OF section % Of
Article l OF the public service act. which is in
part
no persons shall be excused from testifying
or from producing any books or papers In any
investigation or inquiry by or upon any hear
ing before a commission or any commissioner,
when ordered TO do so by the commission, upon
the ground that the testimony or evidence.
books. or documents required OF him may tend
to ircrimlnate him or subject him to penalty or
forfeiture but no person shall be prosecuted.
ure for or on account Of any act transaction.
matter or thing concerning which he shall under
oath have testified or produced documentary
evidence: provided. however, that no person so
testifyng shall be exempt from prosecution or
punishment for any perjury committed by him
IN his testimony. Nothing herein contained
is intended TO give. or shall be construed as IN
any manner giving. unto any corporation I'M
munty Of any kind"
Each witness summoned would. Of course
%., Iry1r1D from any
action.
I've. will devote ourselves this week 10 the
TRANSFORMATION problems" said Mr.. WINS yes
terday land it is not my purpose TO take up
the financial side OF the inquiry at present
Nh WINS said he would start on the brooklyn
Rapid Transit Company next week. He had
been spending part of his time going over the
books and papers OF the company
Oren Root jr.. general manager or the New
York City Railway Company; Frank HedIey,
paneral manager Of the Interborough Rapid
Transit Company and Edward p. Bryan, presi-
dent of the Interborough Rapid Transit Com
pany are the witnesses to be called at the ihlId
hearing of the inquiry to-day Theodore =
Shonts. president OF the merger VIII diSo 10
called If there is time.
NJ wins will consider the complaints and
recommendations of the City Club, and expects
TO call some Of It's members 10 the stand lie
had a long consultation with Chairman Will
cox Yesterday, and spent the afternoon with eX-
ne
merger.
commissioner Wilcox said he expected to
hold several sessions Of the merger inquiry this
week He has not decided whether the second
session during the week will be held to-Inorro"
or Thursday
Onlv three members Of the Public Service
Commission were at its offices yesterday Com
rnissioners BaSsett and Maltbie being absent
AS quorum present the usual pubHo
meeting in the morning and executive session IN
h. fNpG
transacted in the customary manner. The mem
hers Of the commission find that the strain Is
proving too great a one physically, ana nave
decided to give themselves rests OF day or Two,
alternating, that there Will always De d
ouorum None OF them will take vacation
this summer
Tho commission received a letter from Mr.
Frvan saving that the company had issued or
ders to increase the capacity of the elevator
service at the subway station at l6Sth street on
the broadway line This letter Is the reply 10
q cornpIaint sent the company by the commits
s,on q few days ago. AS the companys letter
did not give any details Secretary Whitney was
instructed to ask for full information about the
changes that were to be made
Charles F. Adams secretary to the president
os the Borough Of Brooklyn. wrote the commis-
sion asking for advice to the best method or
handling traffic when the new subway TO Bor-
ough Hall. Brooklyn, is completed MI ADAMS
said that Borough President Coler was anxious
do all ne Couid along IiIio iIii'' 80 '''
certain what his power Commissioner NC
Carroll was appointed committee OF one 10
take charge Of this matter several days ago.
IT s Williams. vice-president or the Nassau
Electric Railroad Company, wrote TO the COM
mission for permission to lay tracks In Living
eton street and Lafayette avenue, Brooklyn IN
accordance with the terms Of the charter grant
Cd the company by the city. Mr. Williams said
the company mad obtained a permit from the
commissioner of Public Works for the Borough
- I,-o,I,1vyr for Iaying the tracks. The letter
,vas referred to the committee Of the whole
A hearing was set for Thursday afternoon on
tho annlication of the New York and queens
County Electric Lighting and Power Company
for nermission to issue S2OOOOOO of bonds FOR
o,struction equipment and refunding
The commission is il need of gas meter test
ers According to Civil Service regulations. no
counetitiye examination L. cAoItrad- ana ann2la