New-York tribune., 1907-01-18
F0RNEW TR ANSIT BOARD
TO HAVE DRASTIC POWERS
Republican Committee Endorses Con.
ernOrs Suggestions.

The Republican County Committee last night
at the Murray Hill Lyceum. in adopting a "a.
port on local transit abuses recommended Ian,
which will clothe commission with power. an
that when traction officials disregard the order.
of the commission they may be indicted and
punished by imprisonment. and If penalties i'm,
posed are not paid as directed receiver 70,
the company is to be appointed to make paw
ment of the penalties.
Robert Kelly Prentice. chairman of the coun.
ty committees transit committee. read report
severely criticising the management of the local
traction companies. recommending the instaIla-
ton of cars in the subway with side doors. ths
electrifcation Of the crosstown lines and radical
Improvement Of conditions on the lines of the
Union Railway Company. in The Bronx
The county committee month ago appointed
transit committee Of thirty-fve. with Mr.,
Prentice as chairman and Frederick II. Within
as secretary. The report read last night WAS
heartily applauded. the committee was thanked
for its hard work, continued with power to 20
to the Governor. and copies Of the report will
be sent to the Governor and members OF ths
Legislature The closing paragraphs Of the re-
port are follows:
practical solution is Commission for the metro
politan district responsible to the state
ana recommend such commission consisting OF
the Governor for stated terms for the Tespectiys
commissioner expiring at different times. but the
public statement of his reasons.
That TO such commission should be given ths
trict now possessed oy the State Railroad Co1mls-
powers to define and describe what sufficient
se49ar 6 rs ioE the transportation OF pas
the operation OF surface elevated and UNDERGROUND
investigation and hearing deems necessary for taa
convenience, health and safety of the public. and
effect OF such orders and fix within reas6I Ole
such orders Provision should further be made tbst ar
IN case or the violation OF such orders the penalty
violation of the said order for thirty days should
De misdemeanor on tho part of the executive Of
be indicted and punished by imprisonment and
thirty days receiver Of the cempanv sB9nI4 Tor
appointed to make payment OF the penalties and
until such payment Is MADE. ''-Sf
Gated by the signatures of the chairman and secrs
tarY should be presUmptive evidence in anv court
or judicial proceeding OF the facts statements and
recitals therein contained. The execution of oT-
6sp5 s6 % oI b Sne G3mms59n should not be stayed,
stated by court OF record in order or decree
This recommendation substantially Comedies with
the recommendation OF the Governor. expressed
the Metropolitan District '''''iiSSio" lot
We believe that control OF this kind would ps
enective and that anything short of il would mean
little We further believe that the Governor or
than twenty citizens should have the Hight ' Upop
complaint 10 said commissions initiate proceed
ing before and investigation by that commission.
with the right or representation in action
proceeding 10 enforce the order of the commission
and that the commission itself should also have
power I'm cases OF necessity TO appoint counsel to
represent the commission in any judicial proceed
fngs and 10 enforce its orders
Ihere has been no attempt made in this report
70 specify every shortcOrning in connection with
the operation Of either the surface underground
elevated lines. nor have we had opportunity 10 ex-
anime the various plans for the extension OF these
various lines or the laying Of new routes or
make suggestions in detail for the relief Of present
and future conditions.
II will be the duty Of the Metropolitan Railroad
Commission TO solve these problems We desire
however, 20 record the views Of the committee on
two ponts-one, the matter OF construction Of the
subway cars. The congestion OF this road par
tlcuary of the tracks. Is largely caused bv
the delay in loading and unloading the cars az
type used for example. in the Boston subway and
on the Brooklyn Bridge. with side as wou as end
entrances and passengers required 10 enter at the
end and leave by the middle doors. OF the
Illinois Central Chicago type. ii is believed that
the capacity or the subway would be greatly in
creased 1t may well be that the carrying out Of
this suggestion would entail slight changes IN con-
structiOn OF the platforms several
stations but ths Importance Of such improve
ment could scarcely be Ovsrestimated. The second
suggestion Is in the laying OF new systems "a
distinguished from extensions Of existing lines. The
greatest effort should be made TO competition
by bidders.