New-York tribune., 1908-01-23
PASSENGER FARE PROBE
BY UPSTATE p. S. BOARD.
Commission Makes First Annuat
Report to Legislature.
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune

Albany Ian 22-The Public Service Commission
for the I'd District submitted summary Oh
its first annual report to the Legislature tonis"-
T,;s commission has Jurisdiction. in all counties OF
the state outside of New York City, over an ram
roads steam and electric, sleeping car express
and freight companies and gas and electnc hshl-
ing companies.
The summary outlines the powers Of the COM
mission and reviews It's decisions and orders IL
goes at length into the question OF Whether
2-cent fiat rate for passenger transportation Wouiu
be Just and equitable to the roads and says IN re-
gard this question:
.orhe fact that 2-cent mileage books ex-
tensveIv used and the continuance of such books
in use afford sufficient presumption that the
roads afford to carry all passengers at the
rate to justify exhaustive inquiry INTO the
facts"
in regard to the work OF the commission the
summary says:
The belief of the commission on taking ofhce
that it could in no way serve the people OF h tle
adequacy and efficiency of service rendered py
steam ~ railroads m s 1x IS fgy ayt6e in actual rc
tions. 1t is notorious in far too large proportion
of cases the roads have failed to give that reason
able service which the public is entitled to expect
and demand investigation Of steam ra1iroaa
The investigation does not disclose very great pup
lie interest in what is known as reciprocal ue-
murrage."
Attention is called to the large number OF COM
plants that the commission has received. So far
four hundred have been made against public ser
vice corporations The corporations nave SHOWN
commendable cooperation in remedying grievances
and satisfying proper demands for inpro'eu ooi
ditions," the report adds.
Going back to its discussion of the two-cent mile
age question the report says:
The commission has come to the conclusion that
mileage books affords reasonable presumption that
the company sells such at
transportation under the mileage book ana I erdns ans
porta ton under ordinary ticket as 10 alone JUS
tify a conclusion that transportation by ticket
cannot be afforded at the same price as by mieage
book that the commission will proceed as promptly
as practicable with investigation OF the suDJecI
U II IL tIst and proper to make any change
in the maximum amount to be charged mli9-
ComparativeIy few complaints received
against freight rates and the commission settled
most of those informally Considered solely with
reference to the amount of freight rates. 'he
commission says ''the freight rates of carriers
operating In New York State are. because OF large
aggregate traffic among the lowest for given DIS
tances in the United States
Attention is called to grade crossings and the
numerous accidents that occur because of them
Sections are also devoted to the work of the COM
mission in supervising gas and electric hght coin-
panies it's system Of inspecting gas meters ana
electric meters
A summary of permanent additions and better
ments made during the six months in which the
commission has been in existence contrasted with
those of the preceding year follows:
Steam railroads; permanent additions and bet
terments:
During year ending June 30. 1907. s9oVo
Since June 80 1907. progress, over.. oO,z4o'oV
Electric railroads; permanent additions and bet
terments:
During 60 1907, over. <isS2VV
80 1907, in progress OVER. '-'S'OV
The same information IS shown for additions to
rolling stock and equipment.
Steam railroads. additions to rolling stock and
equipment:
During year ending June go 1907. ss1 224o 900
Since 1907. which contracts have 40 .on
been placed over 100000 1o'i''''O
Electric railroads. additions to rolling stock ana
equipment:
During wear ending June 80. 1907 s2e2'ooo
since June 1S 81 tgvs. nSs, of ioi ' ." 1215 600
Total permanent additions and betterments - ,- 100