New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-05
APPRAIS[NG THIRD AVE.
WHITRIDGE. WON'T HELP.
p. S. c. Refuses adjournment and
Demands Books.

The Public Service Commission is making ply
steal appraisal of the property OF the Third Ave-
nue. Railroad Company, as a preliminary to render
ing its decision on the reorganization plan recently
submitted by the bondhclders. The commission de-
sres TO hand down its decision early in September,
and TO this end is hurrying the appraisal to the
best of its ability
Frederick W. whitridge receiver OF the company.
is not in favor the appraisal. however, and has
not been aiding the commission. Mr.. Whitridge is
I'm Europe and is not expected back for three
weeks In his absence his counsel, Evarts, Choate
& Sherman, are looking out for his interests in
the matter.
Before Mr.. Whitridge went Europe the COM
mission asked him furnish it's experts with what
information he had that would aid the work
OF appraisal. He did not do So and a. subpoena
was served on him. calling for the production of
certain documents and information He went to
Europe without furnishing the information de-
sired.
The failure of the commission to get the In
formation was taken up yesterday at a hearing
held by Commissioner Eu5tis. Joseph II. Choate.
jr., appeared counsel for Mr.. Whitridge, and
asked for an adjournment OF three weeks or until
Mr.. Whitridges return. Commissioner Eustis re-
fused to give the adjournment and a little tiff fol-
lowed between the lawyer and the commissioner.
Mr.. Eustis remained obdurate and insisted that
he would hold the Third Avenue Railroad Company
and its receiver in default unless Mr. Choate with
drew his demand for delay. There deadlock
for some minutes. but finally Mr. Choate said the
commission might have such information and docu-
ments il desired. provided the working staff of
the company interfered with. At the
same time he conceded nothing as 10 the right OF
the company to refuse to give this information. Mr.
Eustis accepted Mr.. Choate's offer and adjourned
the hearing subject TO the action OF the company.
The Third Avenue Bridge Company. which was
recently incorporated by Mr.. Whitridge TO operate
surface the Greensboro Bridge. has
applied TO the Public Service Commission for a
certificate of public convenience and necessity to
construct a surface railroad from Third avenue
through 57th street. Second avenue and Goth
street 10 and across the greensboro Bridge.
hearing will be held on August 13
The length of the proposed route is s.799 feet
and II is planned TO operate the line by the under
ground electric system. The new line Will be
operated in connection with the present Third
avenue system, and will form a through route from
Long Island City over the greensboro Bridge to
Third avenue and thence north and south Third
avenue The company has a capital stock OF
10000 divided into go shares Of a par value Of
500 each. The certificate OF Incorporation
filed on May %. The directors all employees Of
the Third Avenue Railroad Company.
II is understood that passengers will be carried
from the bridge plaza in Long Island City to any
part Of the Third Avenue system in Manhattan
for a scent fare. In the commission grants
the certificate OF public convenience and necessity.
the company must next apply TO the Board OF
Estimate and Apportionment for a franchise.
When the franchise is granted the approval of
the commission must he obtained. and then the
company may begin construction work.
Two other companies. the South Shore Traction
Company and the New York Queens County
Railway Company, are seeking permission 10 build
across the greensboro Bridge. The Board OF
Estimate and Apportonment granted a franchise
20 the South Shore Traction Company, but the
Public Service Commission refused 10 approve
the grant the ground that its terms were TOO
generous 20 the company. The New York
Queens County Railway Company has refused 10
date 20 meet the terms laid down by the city. No
cars are operated now over the bridge.