New-York tribune., 1908-10-25
LOSS In TRANSFERS"
M. S. r. Receivers Tell p. S. G..
Road Cannot Stand added Burdens.

The Public Service Commission heard argument
yesterday OF John G. Milburn and Robert G
Beatty. counsel for the receivers of the Metropo-
tan Street Railway Company on the transfer cues-
ton The proceeding was begun several weeks
ago to determine why through and the joint
rate of five cents should not be established be-
tween the 5sth street line of the Central
Park, North & East River Railroad Company
and the lines OF the Metropolitan fer the zone be-
tween S+th and IIsth streets
Mr. Milburn argued that n ir7nosa additional
burdens upon the company when is not even
earning bare expenses would be confscatory and
unconstitutional
In his argument Mr. Milburn said also that the
Metropolitan system could not arord the reste-
ration OF transfers and that such a move was i'm
possible. He said that he regarded the proceeding
as one or the most important that the Public Ser
vice Commission viii have to pass on and that
It's action will become a precedent OF far reach
ing effect In discussing the proposed order of
the commission directing the issuance OF trans
fers. Mr.. Mlburn argued that the specific pro-
vision OF the statute does include the word
transfer in the authority given to the commits
sion IF the Legislature. he added, had intended
that the commission should have the power to
issue transfers it would have said so; but It did
not
Under our present system of almost universal
transfers said the lawyer. our company is not
tnle 10 pay expenses And Yet we are asked 20
divide some OF our FIVE fares. At least
would assume that the seth street line would get
II n ~
lico'
If passenger rides down only as far as Goth
street or even I'd street. keep his whole nickel
but II he keeps 10 59th street, transfers and
then continues TO another of lines, must
give up a part Of his fare, 1t is proposed. And,
remember, we are not paying expenses as it is"
Mr.. MilEurns argument in part follows:
II you take money from US, when
even earning expenses you viii have to give
sons for IL, and you will have justify IL And
Il You cannot do that, then your order cannot
stand.
The system and the hat-fare system can
not eo-exist. A great many business people have
TO take frequent short rides during the day, and
II seems & hardship to require them pay five
cents each time they jump on q car But it is
only through the fares thus received that the
company is enabled to carry other passengers
long distances That is the bad, and the good also
OF the hat-fare system
Ne maintain that under existing circumstances
the commission cannot impose additional trans
'fers. But even II you could. there is every rea-
son why you should not One such reason is the
gross abuse Of the unlimited transfer system
WLlch means death. is clearly shown the
history Of this system It has been suggested that
We might improve situation by collecting fares
that now go uncolected- But urge you not 10
attempt 10 mitigate one abuse by pointing
another"
the Metropolitan, gave figures showing the reduc-
ton In the amount OF cash received per average
passenger, including those riding transfers. The
only remedy, he argued, is to cut of the lines
held under Improbable leases and cut of the
transfers.
II has been learned in unofficial way that the
commission will adopt the order for transfers and
X Is possible that this decision will be given in the
early part Of this week