New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-25
"HANDSOFF," WHLTRLDGE
REPLY TO p. S. c. ORDER.
Receiuer and Chairman Wntcor
Haze Verbal Encounters.

Spirited encounters between Chairman wilcox OF
the Public Service Commission and Frederick w
Whtridge. receiver for the Third Avenue Railway
were the order of the day yesterday when near
ings on the commissions proposed order for trans
fers between the Third Avenue and the 5Stn street
crosstowr line were resumed. Their net result was
testimony the receiver that he believed the
commission would its duty best by. keeping ITS
hand off the companies while they tr1ed 10 Work
out their own salvation.
But suppose they don't work out any salvation
for the. pubic-vhat them asked Chairman Will
COX pointedy.
Why. then I suppose I'd have to take to myself
the functions of the Divine Judge and send them TO
the pit" retorted Mr.. whitridge. sarcastically
Just at the close of the hearing there came an
other reference to this idea which caused much In
terest among those who following the traction
situa ton carefully. o. W. Semple, of counsel 70
the commission. asked Mr.. Whitridge If he thought
the officers of the traction companies really Woulo
do all they colld If the commission kept its hands
of. TO work out solution Of the transfer puzzle
and give good service to the public
Under the impulse given by the federal recev-
ers I think that will be true for some years 70
come" replied Mr. Whitridge-
..Impulse?" aueried Chairman Wilcox. in appar-
ent anlazement impulse? Impulse is a good word
to use
NJ Ubitridre who Is adept in the use Of sharp
and sarcastic reionders had his hands full at yes
+erdav.s hearing Neither the commissioners nor
Mr. senple was inclined TO let him off easily. he
had 10 admit that he had been anxious to make
the transfer agreement with the seth street line
even was on the point of making such an agree
r,ent of his own accord: but the commission
handed the line to the Metropolitan my
hated rival That his version Of the transfer
order which the Metropolitan is hghtng vigorously
in the courts.
When he took the stand Mr.. whitridge testified
under examination of John NJ Bowers, counsel for
the Central Trust Company. trustee OF the lh'ro
avenues bonds. that the proposed order Wouio
make that line carry passengers about three ana
a half miles further than the Metropolitan ordeI
in one direction and and half and one ana
a half miles further other directions He said
the cost of everything had increased since he took
charge of the road. even wages"
Il myself have raised wages some of the lines.
he said Replying TO Mr.. semple he declared that
better service. If it meant better cars and more
cars than poor service. naturally cost more money
Per I don't know that good service costs
more than bad he said.
Mr. Bowers asked Mr.. Whitridge to explain what
he meant by recent declaration that II the com
mission persisted in its transfer orders money
could be obtained for future improvements
He replied by referring a contemplated improve
ment his road-the replacement Of horse cars by
motor cars of a new type.
Commissioner Wilcox got Mr. WhitTdge 70 admit
that the traction companies had been able to float
large quantities of bonds in the past. His own
company. he replied, had foated bond issues
Il don't know how much trouble there was in
lying said he.
Wouldn't it he much easier to float securities
after the commission had passed them and guar
anteed them?' asked Mr.. WILCOX
1t would indeed agreed Mr.. Whitridge quick
Iy. Il consider that the most important and beneh-
cent function of the commission.
Pressed by Mr.. Wilcox on the transfer agree
ment he about to make with the 18th street
line said that proposition fell through when the
Metropolitan order issued.
And then you said handed the lire over to
your rival company" said Mr.. Wilcox. Wasn't it
a of system getting good thing which
the other wanted?'
1T was" said the receiver Il wanted it, and you
gave it the other line. my hated rivals
But would this transfer proposition have been
profitable you?
L had a sufficient desire to get the seth street
line be willing make a few experiments. said
Mr.. Whitridge.
Don't you know we should be very glad to take
our hands Off if you reported to that you had
effected transfer agreement with the seth street
Iine?' asked Commissioner Eustis
Il do not" retorted the receiver with emphasis.
Almost wrangle ensued between him and the
then, in which he declared his be
lief that the commission taking up complaints
as they came along and issuing transfer orders on
them simply because the orders were asked.
IF that's your theory you ought TO get somebody
to ask US to dismiss this complaint and then you
wouldn't be bothered any more" cut in Chairman
Wilcox.
We'll. perhaps that might be arranged he re-
tOrted
Mr. Sempe asked him about the condition of
some of the cars his lines when they were /
ia ken over from federal receivers for the Me-
ropolitan. He said their condition was obvious. /
but he didn't know whether the Metroplitans fed
eral receivers had noticed them or not.
Il didn't know but what there might be a feeling
On the part of the federal receivers that il
mpertinence that the commission should notice |
these defects said Mr.. Semple.
rs that a question:" queried Mr.. Whitrdge Il |
did not feel 1t was impertnence, but q great |
stupidity when the commissioners made orders re-
pea tedIy on things I had said I'd remedy soon !
as possible | knew these were full OF oh |
yfous defects the commission made order after |
order and inspectors reported after the first order
hat the condition of things had improved greatly, |
although there hadn't been car touched. That |
didn't increase my respect for the inspection de-
pa rtment."
The hearing will go to-day.