New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-03
SLOT MACHINE CLASH
Final Hearing Results in 4c'1mo-
NOUS Debate.

Acrimonious encounters between A 4. Gardner
counsel for the Interborough Rapid TRANSIT Oo'i-
many and Commissioner Bassett Of the Pubhc ser
vice Commission marked the hearing yesterday on
the proposed removal Of slot machines from the
BROOKLYN extension Of The subway Nj Gardner
contended that Commissioner Bsssett was nearing
The case OF a technicality-whether or not tine
vending machines interfered with trafhc-and pro-
tested against this a every stage OF 'ne pi0-
ceedines
Commissioner Bassett could not see this version
OF he case. and repeatedly had to cali MI Car
diner 10 order l. T. Hardness Of counsei TOT 'iie
commission several times broke into the olspu'ts'
sud Commissioner Bassett had 70 rap Sharply
for order and ask both lawyers 10 take their
sests Thereafter the railroad lawyer. with eNas-
serstcd humility. asked permission every time ne
rose 10 speak in the case
The hearing Yesterday was a continuation If
y.re,o7Is hearing on complaint that the slot ma
chimes in the Brooklyn extension OF the suoNa'
were nuisauces being obstacles TO trafflc- NJ.
Gardner argued that this vas narrow We" %
the subject He said the machines had been III u.s.
On tho elevated stations for TranT years anu Al
the Manhattan subway for four years without
COMPLAINT from any passenger He asked Tor soiie
suggestions from The commission on this SUBJECT.
commissioner Bassett replied somewhat colaS
TIA. The final order would contain all that ih1of-
nation. and Mr. Hardness declared that ne oio i''
think The passengers ought TO be competed 20 pay
tag around the subway stations Ihese s'ot ma
chimes he said. had been put in without the per
mi
and the Nrst the commission knew OF II was "ileH
the INSPECTORS and engineers made reports OF the
installation
Mr Gardiner retcrted that there was no resume
tion on the SLOT scIines in the InterooToushs con
tract with the city and the decisions Of me cou
had made Il plain mat the company had me risi''
install them
Charles Z Atkinson, manager for Ward K Cow
-hs slot machine people. was called nv MI e'ai0i
7er He testified that the slot machines descFloeo
s obstacles by inspector for the commission a'
= PREVIOUS hearing had been shifted M Hardness
interrupted 20 say that this proved they were o.
fr-l-rrors 10 traffic ZIr Atkinson couldn I see II
lie said the machines always were placed "ileTe
nev would not interfere with traffic In the four
years Of subway operation he said. there never
had been : complaint from passenger. ana ne did
not consider the moving Of the machines IN ques-
lion vas q concession tfaat they had been IN the
Eav Answering questions from MI Hardness. ne
sad II IVES not al al necessary for a machife 10
1e IN The conEested territory for IL 10 earn money
Al the end OF Mr.. Atkinsons testimony Commits
FIorer RasSeIr declared the hearing closed MI
&c rdfuer objected saving ne desired 10 lntroduce
expert Witnesses NJ Basse-t said JaEllN laat a
rlrevfouS adjournment OF several days had oeeh
iskcn 10 Sfe the railroad company time 10 produce
other witnesses. and he not going 10 nave me
case drag auv longer Mr.. Gardiner still pleaded
Yor further Adjournment and the commissioner
Sharply declared the case closed