New-York tribune., 1908-11-14
EAST SIDE NOW HIT
NEW TRANSFERS CUT OFF
Nr. Whifridge Tells p. S. {. About
His Duties rs Receiver.

Following out the policy of disiutegratins the old
Metropolitan Street Railway system. and thus cut
ting off many Of the transfer privileges enjoyed
under the old merger the First avenue and the
Second surface lines were turned over 20
George ". Linch, who has been appointed receiver
by the state courts, at midnight Thursday. and
imnledla tey all transfers with the crosstovn lines
OF the Metropolitan were abolished There was
much confusion and some heated controversy, but
no serious trouble was reported yesterday ny the
police.
In The afternoon Frederick ". Whitridge, receiver
for the Third Avenue Railroad, continued his testi-
mony before the Public Service Commission in an
attempt to show that his road could not afford 10
establish system of transfers with the 59th street
line under division of the 5-cent fare by the
Public Service Commission. Mr. Whitridge made
some interesting observations regarding the opera
ton of The Third avenue company, based on his
experience as receiver.
In reply to a direct question to what were
his reasons for opposing the proposed order Mr.
Whitridge said:
First think that It would be unnecessary, in
view of your order directing exchange Of trans
fers between the Metropolitan and the seth street
line There is no considerable portion Of the public
which would not be equally well served by the
Metropolitan in that connection.
Second, I think 1t would be step toward uni
versaI transfers, which would be -ruinous condi-
ton of affairs.
Third. it seems to eliminate the idea Of compet-
tion which is In the best interests of the prop
erty Of the people of the city.
Fourth ! have before me two. nr three con-
tracts for the construction of sef-propelled motor
cars. which might be placed to good advantage
on the lines operated by horse power. In the
face of such order I hesitate to sign contracts
involving s159oOO 100000 to spend money only
that transfer order might be made that might
benefit the Metropolitan company.
Fifth, it seems TO that the commission has
played into the hands OF the Metropolitan. BY
contract with the seth street line which re-
pudiattd because it too expensive. Now the
commission by it's for transfers between the
59th street line and the Metropolitan has practi-
caly handed ths former to the latter bet
ter terms than before. think It was good order
from the standpoint OF the Metropolitan"
Examined by John NJ Bowers. counsel for the
Central Trust Company. The trustee of the Third
avenue bondhoders. Mr.. Whitridge told of some
of his troubles as receiver He said he about
10 enter into contracts amounting to some SS50.GD
for new rails and equipment.
Did not tho Metropolitan turn over to YOU GER
tain materials and fixtures in the various harns?'
asked Mr.. Bowers.
Yes" replied the receiver with smile. There
! we're twenty thousand tons Of coal in of the
| barns 1t was heavy for the Metropolitan to
! carry away. They carried off all the sand And
now they have sued for the cost of the COAL
although most Of IL had been in the barn for more
! than two years
Mr. WhItridge said he understood that most Of
the track of the 42d Street. Manhattsnvfe St
Nicholas Avenue road would have to be relaid.
AS that part the old s6h street crosstown line
which runs from Second avenue to the Astoria
ferry is owned by the Second avenue company. that
line was cut in two yesterday. Formerly it ran
fronc Central Park West and Seth street through
| the mark and over the ferry Now the cars from
! Central Park West stop at Second avenue. spe-
cial complaint the breaking UP of this through
service has been made 10 the Public Service Com
! mission