New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-23
MERGER BOOKS CLOSED


Continued from hrst page
of the marlborough Rapid Transit Company
bookkeeping. He read many items OF ices thdI
had been paid to lawyers ranging from SIoocV
to $4,000 that had been charged to the equip
rnent" account Mr. Bryan said that there was
no other account that they could be rightly
charged to and that 1t had been shown on the
preceding day that the company's system or
bookkeeping was correct
With these exceptions the entire hearing was
devoted to the physical problems of transpOrta-
tion Mr. WINS took the witness. Mr.. Bryan.
over practically the same ground that he went
over with Mr.. Hedley. Mr.. Bryan testified that
in his opinion neither the Boston nor Illinois
type of car could be operated successfully in
the subway. He said that the merger had given
this question long and careful study, and that
officials of railroad companies both in this coun-
try and In London had been consulted.
1t was possible he said. to put either type of
car in the subway. only II the Illinois type were
operated the length OF the station platforms
should be increased to $50 or 400 feet. Time
and again Mr.. Bryan urged that in his opinion
it would be mistake TO adopt either type
OUTSTANDING CAPITAL S55.2OO.OOO.
Mr.. WINS started the hearing by reading
tracts from a report TO the old State Railroad
Commission. made on June 80. 1906. which
Manhattan company amounted to S55.200OoO
out OF a total authorized issue of S6O.OOO.OOO-
Items OF expenditure for the Belmont tunnel by
the Interborough read. They aggregated
over s7,5OO000. After reading items showing
lawyers fees that had been entered the
equipment account. Mr.. WINS asked II engineers
from the commission would be allowed TO in
spect the Belmont tunnel
why certainly Mr. WINS: will go with you
and inspect it IL you want to-" replied Mr.
NicolI. THE property is worth a lot more than
paid for it. We have let newspaper men
IN; they are pretty wise"
Taking up the physical problems. Mr. Bryan
said that from 30 to 81 per cent OF the total
ried during three hours out OF twenty-four. 1T
think that We have amply provided for traffic
during the non-rush hours" said the witness
with emphasis.
Then began long discussion OF the type of
for the subway. After discussing the IL
linos type. so far as New York is concerned the
witness called attention 10 the fact that August
Belmont had written to the former Board or
Rapid Transit Commissioners urging that the
city increase the length OF platforms so that
eight-car trains could be operated and the in
crease In traffic thus provided for.
I'VE were told" said he chat we could build
longer platforms If we wanted to at our own
expense"
For the year ended June so 1906. 1919. 900
subway tickets had been sold. and 166.363.O 900
for the last year.
Mr. Bryan said that there was a delay at 42d
street caused by the bad curve there. and also
by the transferring OF passengers from local to
express trains. He thought that If the crush
were obviated at such stations as 18th and 42d
street. where local passengers change TO express.
could Na
avoided and a shorter Roadway for express
trains maintained. BY lengthening the plat
forms. he said the capacity would be nearly
doubled.
Long discussions OF physical remedies fol-
lowed. Simmered down. they resulted in the
discussion OF the following measures, which Mr..
Bryan thought would effect relief: Changes in
tracks at 42d and 96th street stations. doing
away with transfer crush from local 10 express
train; frightening of platforms. running longer
trains and providing new terminal facilities
Should these be carried out the witness said the
cost TO the city would be:
For street station changes ks4o0oo
For lenghening platforms lSS'O'O
Total cost 20 .s-'o''oV"
The cost to the merger would be:
For terminal facilities. shops etc estimated 100000
testiinatedl ''O
ro,a, 20 road Approximately .........s IS coo 600
ct think II these changes were made" said
Mr.. Bryan. they would increase the capacity OF
the subway nearly one hundred million passen-
gers per annum. or about 15 per cent 1t would
take not quite two years to make all tho
changes"
Mr.. Bryan said he thought third tracking or
laying additional tracks on the Second and
Third avenue IT, lines would remedy East Side
congestion wonderfully. He was In favor of
this plan
Mr.. Eustls asked numerous questions about
the Bronx traffic conditions and what could
be done to relieve them, and then the hearing
adjourned subject to the call Of Chairman
Wilcox. The next hearing will probably be
next Wednesday. Mr.. Sargent, vice-president
of the Boston subway company. Will be of