New-York tribune., 1909-04-19
CHARGESACCELERATION
CALL TO ARMS IN DE
FENCE OF Z. S. C.. BILLS.
Chairman Udlcor Intimates That
Lemuel f.. Quigg Is Still Mould
ing Public Opinion"

william r. Wilcox, chairman Of the Public
Service Commission for the 1st District re-
turned yesterday from Hot Springs and Wash
tngton where he had been for the last ten days
Nr Wilcox has kept in close touch with the
legislative situation at Albany and he gave out
a statement last night appealing to the people
Of the city and state to support the amendments
20 the Public Service commissions law which
are pending before the Legislature
Mr. Wilcox charged the steam railroad and
street railroad interests of the state with "ac-
ceIerating" public opinion against the pending
amendments by means of letters and petitions
TO members of the Legislature. and intimated
that Lenuel Ely Quigg still moulding pub
lie opinion in the interests OF and in return for
the money of the Interborough- Metropolitan
Company
he said that New Workers would have 20 pay
from Is 10 25 cents for continuous ride on the
surface cars of Manhattan Island unless the
pending amendments which give more power
to the commission in ordering transfers and fix
ing Joint rates, were passed
The statement says:
an not sure that the public realizes thor
oughly the Importance of the public service
amendments now under consideration by the
legislature. The two commissions prepared
carefully bill strengthening weak points that
had developed in the law and rounding out the
Jurisdiction of he commission as to common
carriers and gas and electric companies This
bill has been reported by the Assembly commit
tee with certain changes in ii and is the cal
endar for passage tomorrow night. In the Sen
ate Il is still n the committee, and q further
hearing will be given IL on Tuesday morning
by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The commission for the 1st District regards
these amendments of very great Importance
for they will complete the ability OF the COM
mission 10 deal in q proper. legal way with the
question Of joint fares between independently
operated roads and transfers over lines operated
under common control.
II he VhP he
directed the receivers of the Metropolitan and
the belt line companies 10 give transfers at in
tersections on 59th street, the companies have
claimed that the law did not give the commits
sion power TO order joint rate between street
railroads The commission believes that II
the intention of the Legislature in passing the
original law TO grant such power, and according
" proposed amendments that would leave no
doubt If such amendments are not passed. and
the receivers of the Metropolitan continue their
present practice of breaking up the system into
small, independent companies, the necessity Of
paying fares OF Is, 20 and % cents to get from
one part Of Manhattan TO another will continue
Nj Wilcox. after saying that the failure Of
the amendments 10 pass would be followed by
still further dismemberment of. the street rail-
way system Of this city, continued:
No one questions the right OF the receivers 20
take d matter into the court when they really
believe that the commission does not have juris-
diction. but when federal receivers go beyond an
appeal TO the courts and attempt to prevent the
state Legislature from gathering additional
the power of the commission over joint fares on
street railroads. the people OF this city should
be prompt in informing their representatives at
Albany to the proper course to follow.
/ an told that the recent remarkable exhibit
ton in Albany Of petitions and kilograms from
employees Of industries connected with the trans
portstion business accelerated" ! am told
that various steam railroads of the state sent
special trains their lines with railroad en-
ployes board. who, at the various towns and
cities through which the train passed. inter
viewed shippers and others dependent on the
road and urged the sending Of petitions. tele-
grams and delegations to Albany TO Insist
that no legislation be passed and that the Legis
lature Immediately adjourn.
II will be recalled that this commission learned
something the subject Of "acceleration" in its
investigation of the Interborough Metropolitan
CoYnpanv. when II discovered that more
than 5000, 900 had been paid TO Mr.. Quigg for his
expenses in securing the organization of citi-
zens' associations, who sent petitions and dele
cations TO Albany and that It was also disclosed
that more than $4,000 had been paid by MI.
Quigg m getting up petition of over one mill
ion signatures urging the Rapid Transit Com
mission take only such action as was desired
bv his employers. At the time Of his testimony
Mr Ouigg testified that he had not severed his
connection with his traction employers. Recent
developments both in Albany and in New York
City would make il appear that similar employ
ment still continues