New-York tribune., 1908-08-09
p. S. C. MEANS BUSINESS
WOULD GO TO COURTS.
No Let Up in 18th Street Transfer
Case If Resumption Is Ordered.


Court proceedings to compel the receivers Of the
Metropolitan Street Railway system to consent to
a re-estabshment OF the transfer exchange sys-
tenn between its lines and the 5sth street cross
town and Belt lines likely to follow IL the re-
ceivers should defy an order of the Public Service
Commission to make joint rate with the Central
Park North & East River Railroad Company
whose lines were severed from the Metropolitan
system last Thursday morning.
Whether Messrs. Joline and Robinson follow their
usual custom and remain away from the hearing
Tuesday afternoon. the commission is going to
make thorough investigation of the situation and
find out whether the transfer exchange system
cannot be re-estabished. and If not, why not III
the commission finds that the two companies can
make joint of cents. order to that effect
will be made at once, and IL The receivers fail TO
comply with 1t, the matter will be taken to the
courts. Though the receivers have never been at d
hearing affecting their lines. they have never gone
so far to defy an order issued by the conlrhls-
sion only instance who're they did not oDey
an order of the commission that body Immediately
cognizance of the omission by instituting man.
damus proceedings to compel the receivers to pro-
duce their run-in books every day, as ordered
which action brought forth a prompt apology from
the receivers and promise to respect the oroer
in the future, promise that has been carried out
faithfully.
The commission, which under Section 40 of the
Public Service commissions law has authority 10
make two common carriers establish joint rates OF
fare is hopeful that the transfer exchange system
between the two companies will soon be resumed,
and expects that the receivers of the Metropolitan
system would comply with order for the restora-
ton of the system II issued If they did not. no
time would be lost in bringing the question to an
issue, even though such action might bring about
clash to the jurisdiction of the federal and state
courts. The order for the hearing was sent to the
receivers by mail
In preparation for the inquiry Tuesday the
commission has divided Manhattan Island into three
zones, as follows Below 34th street, between S4th
and 116th and above 116th street Passen-
gers from points in the first zone to points in the
third zone vice versa, can generally arrange to
the Metropolitan lines and by the use of trans
fers from the Battery to the northern terminals
Passengers going across the city between hbth
street 34th street. in which the lines oper-
ated by the Metropolitan receivers, depend almost
entirely upon the 59th street crosstown line which
up to last Thursday the best patronized cross
town line in Manhattan. with the possible excep-
ton of the 23d street line.
The commission takes the view that If man can
start from 155th and ride by transfer priv-
leges to the Battery, a passenger going much
shorter distance from side of the city TO another
within the second should not be compelled to
pay % cents simply because he has to use the
59th street line to get across town.
While the commission has planned to 60 ahead
with the hearing with all possible promptness to
bring back the transfer system between the two
systems. the public has solved the situation for
itself temporarily by giving more study to the
transit map of Manhattan and devising means of
avoiding the necessity of using the 59th street
line AS a result the Central Park. North &
East River Railroad Company is feeling the
change a marked extent. The officials of the
company say that there has been decided falling
off in the number of passengers, but still assert
that they cannot afford to give transfers to the
Metropolitan line.
The appeal to the Mayor to take action to
store the transfer exchange system the 59th
street line made by John d. Crimmins, who has
large property interests along that street. brought
forth retort yesterday from Travis H. Whitney.
the secretary of the commission.
After commenting the fact that the appeal
made to the Mayor, official who has
authority TO compel the restoration of transfers
Mr.. Whitney takes exception to what he calls Mr.
Crlmmnss unfair criticism of the character of the
orders issued by the commission, and says that
while Mr. Crimmins may not realize the good work
the commission has done in compelling better
service and better equipment the public does.
In view of the socitude expressed for the public
welfare by Mr.. Crimrnins, formerly a director in
the street railway system and also heavy con-
enue lines" Mr.. Whitney points that he has it
in his power do that public a notable service in
leasing to the Metropolitan receivers the block be-
tween Lenox an Seventh avenues and 144th and
145t hstreets which he owns, that the receivers
will not have to their in the streets in
that vicinity night, thereby interrupting service
on the Eighth avenue, 145th street and Macomb's
Bridge Dam lines and giving persons living nearby
a chance to sleep.
Mr. Whitney suggests that MIR. Crimmins let the
receivers have for nominal land which
they could place Temporary tracks for storing the