New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-09
ATTACKS BRIDGE CRUSH
p S. BOARD IN EARNEST.
Also Asks Accounting from Carriers
at First Public Meeting.


trict at its first public meeting yesterday morning.
took decisive action toward relieving the Brooklyn
bridge crush. which Governor Hughes. IN his mes
sage 70 the Legislature. denounced as a disgrace
"a the CITY and state" The commission also
adopted resolutions demanding full accounting
from the common carriers by July @
The commission unanimously adopted a resolution
,b1o,,ted by Commissioner Bassett Of Brooklyn.
appointing a committee of three to investigate the
condition OF travel over the bridge and to report
10 the commission promptly recommending a course
of action that would insure the promptest relief.
The commission, on receiving the report Of its COM
rn!ttee will at carry its recommendations into
effect.
For the last fifteen years passenger traffic over
the Brooklyn Bridge has been a growing menace
to the city. Since 1895, when trolley cars were
first run the bridge conditions have been
growing steadily worse until for months they have
been pronounced intolerable. Numerous remedies
have been suggested but none have been carried
out that afforded any relief. Governor Hughes
made a personal inspection Of traffic conditions on
the bridge during rush hours shortly after his cleo
ton. So impressed was he with the necessity OF
some remedial action that he devoted a part OF
his message 10 that subject.
During the last session OF the Legislature many
bills introduced 20 relieve the congestion. but
none Of the plans provided for promised TO be ef-
fective. Brooklyn legislators have made every
effort 10 obtain remedy. but unavailingly.
Commissioner Bassett. announced unofflcally that
Re would make the bridge crush problem an espe-
clay study and would make desperate efforts
solve and remedy it. In this determination The
action of the commission in unanimously adopting
his resolution yesterday shows that it IS in hearty
accord -...-- ~, -.--..., -,.,.
man tomorrow said Mr.. Bassett. 1T will pro-
coed 10 make its report at once I DO not know
how long this Will take Probably some time. l
cannot say what recommends It will make. but
! believe its report will show adequate way by
which the present intolerable conditions will be
at least benefited materially If not removed.
What is time. or course cannot
remedy this situation in day or G week. II may
take months, but 1t will be done as this
commission can DO It. and we won't spare our
selves either"
Although the committee will not be officially an
nounced until tomorrow. II is generally under
stood that It will consist Of Commissioner Bassett,
chairman, and Commissioners McCarrou and
Eustis
That the commission intends 10 take up the big
problems before II promptly and to better transit
1aclties In the city was further MADE evident yes
terday By the adoption Of resolutions requiring
carriers TO submit TO It by July q all the
Forms or accounts, records and memoranda no" III
use by them relative 70 the general conduct OF
their business and the movement Of traffic
Common carriers are also requested 10 submit: 20
She commission a complete statement showing
schedules Of trains other service for the
conveyance Of passengers operated by them, in
Guiding a statement showing the exact time when
each train is scheduled 10 leave its starting
point and its destination the seating capacity
OF trains cars the routes operated by common
carriers. the number, character and seating capac-
ity Of passenger cars that will be available for
use on September !, 1907. and the number character
and capacity OF that were available for use
on September :, 1896. and September l, 1903
These reports are required preliminary 10 action
BY the commission, which intends 10 make a uni
fern system OF forms for accounts records and
memoranda for the use Of common carriers.
The commission. in its general investigation OF
the affairs Of carriers has not overlooked
gas ard electric companies. The following resou-
ton offered by M Maltbie. adopted:
Resolved, That. preliminary 70 the preparation
Of z Uniform system Of accounts records and books
10 De prescribed fer use for persons and corpora
tons engaged in the manufacture, sale or dstribu-
ZION OF gas and electricity. all persons ana cor
rorstors engaged IN such BUSINESS be requested TO
submit 70 This commission by July p copies Of such
accounts records and books now kept by them"
retting the common carrier companies electric ana
gas companies 10 give Il an accounting OF their
affairs and method Of transacting business
a resolution by Commissioner Eustls. appointing
& committee Of three investigate and report on
the present status Of the proposed Fourth avenue
subway. adopted.
Chairman Wilcox laid before the commission the
report OF Mr.. Rice. the chief engineer, as 10 work
now Under construction and in charge Of the COM
mission this district because OF the transfer OF
jurisdiction from the Rapid Transit Commission to
the Public Service Commission.
NJ. Rice submitted long report on the condition
Of the unfinished work From IL there appears 70
be approximately Sl5.00o9G0 worth OF work 20 be
completed involving more actual construction work
Than the building OF the present SUBWAY IN Man
haitian and The Bronx required. He reports that
the East River tunnel work should be finished late
in the coming spring. He also points cut that five
contracts have ie- for the Brooklyn loop Ines
requiring expenditure Of about 100000.
The chief engineer calls attention TO TIE 18th
avenue situation and the congestion at e5th street
IN the present subway. He gives it as his opinion
that the work Of construction the East River
tunnel Is being satisfactorily cone
Commissioner Maltbie reported 10 the commission
THAI ne found the affairs Of the state inspector OF
gas meters n bad shape and that the work OF
that department has been done inefflciently and
carelessly. Mr.. Maltbie offered resolution ap-
pointing a. T. Forstal q consulting engineer to
prepare an adequate system Of inspecting and
sealing Of gas meters including plan for handling
complaints, preservation Of records and instruction
OF inspectors It was adopted
The commission also adopted Mr.. Bassetts reso-
-1ton prescribing the order Of business for the
commission
Commissioner McC'arroH at neither session
yesterday, being in Boston for the day.
After the morning session the commissioners
mace Official calls the Mayor, the President Of
tne Board Of Aldermen and the Controller The
courtesy
The city onicials received the commissioners cor
LAZY and assured them Of their cooperation and
SSSS4sldnce This IS considered significant from the
4act that the attitude OF the city toward the
p9olc service bill has been hostile.
me second or afternoon session was an execu-
I've one, and the commission intends to follow the
ofoer OF the day for the present, holding a public
seshon IN the morning at % o'clock and execu-
i've session IN the afternoon at o'clock.
At'er the afternoon session Commissioner Bassett
sac hat the question OF counsel had again been
discussed, but that decision had been reached.
SeFeral men who had not applied were under n
s.1eralOn, and different commissioners were
signed 70 see them and find If they would
cept the position il offered. The inability OF
.Ns commission 70 find OF requisite ability
Tor counsel has been giving the commissioners some
concern lately. and they inteId seeking the right
man with renewed energy.
We have not considered the advisabty of
ifird tracking the Second ard Third I
Ahes yet said Mr. Bassett. Neither Mr. Shonts
nor a representative of his has approached this
commission with any such request The traffic
conditions on the East Side bad. and will
ny 10 relieve them uossible. but they
rave not been seriously considered in any session
Of the commission"
Commissioner Wilcox left town yesterday after
noon for Oyster Bay, where he will visit the Presi
cent Il is supposed that the object hts visit is
VIII he Dfufv nor,+