New-York tribune., 1909-07-03
REVIEWS P. S. C. RECORD
BETTER TR4NSPORT4TION
Mr. WWcor Tells of Improvements
and Future Plans.

ana Il HtW L ttho.
The Public Service Commission completed the
second year Of its existence July !. and yes
terday Chairman William r. Wilcox was asked
for a statement as to the work Of the commission
since its creation in reply he said:
'Inasmuch as the greatest problems before the
commission lie in the field Of transportation. the
bulk Of our work has been directed largely to paw
ing the way for new rapid transit facilities and
creasing and improving the service existing
lines. In both directions I think the commission
has made substantial progress
The commission has encouraged the entrance
of competitors into the traction field. and has
framed a law, which passed by the Legislature
signed by the Governor ana is now on the statute
books, amending the rapid transit act so that the
city now has three ways Of building rapid transit
lines, against method allowed by the old law
II has also proposed and advocated the passage of
a constitutional amendment, which will be sub
mitted the people next fall. providing that oonds
used for the construction Of self-supporting rapu
transit lines viii not be included in computing the
debt limit thus adding about Slooooo.oN to the
city's borrowing capacity.
During the last years the commission has
planned system OF subways to connect the
boroughs of Manhattan The Bronx and Brooklyn
and as soon as the detailed plans and forms OF
contracts can be prepared work that viii be
pushed immedately-will advertise for bids for its
construction.
1T been the fortune of the commission TO
witness the relief Of the Brooklyn Bridge crush by
the extension Of the city subway TO Brooklyn and
by the practical elimination OF delays caused by
trolley cars The accomplishment Of the latter has
been due 10 the orders ISSUED by the commission
for the overhauling and repair Of trolley cars
The commissions orders for the overhauling ani
repair of the surface cars also have resulted IN
great Improvement in the service Millions Of dol
lars have been spent by the companies in over
hauling their equipment and providing new cars
sIG ;he result IS apparent in the decreased delays
due TO breakdovvns.
.sThe present subway has claimed great deal Of
attention from the commission. Its service has
been improved in many ways. and the commission
has recently ordered the equipment Of all cars
used in the express service with side doors. The
commission has also provided for the lengthenng
of the station platforms in the subway, SO that
they will be able accommodate ten-car express
trains and siN-car local trains
IN regard 10 surface railroad transportation. the
commission has brought about improvement in ser
vice in all parts of the city. While it is impossible
with present facilities provide every passenger
with a during the rush hours, the companies
have responded to the efforts OF the commission 10
obtain better service with excellent results. The
overlooking and crowding on most Of the surface
lines have been materially lessened.
One great matter which the commission has
been interested in is the saving Of life. When the
commission created It was found that the loss
of life from accidents on railroads and street ran
roads within the greater city amounted to nearly
six hundred persons year BY the installation of
sir brakes and of better life saving devices
together with the overhaung of cars and the
maintenance of their machinery in first class con-
dition there has been great Improvement in
this respect
For the last month reported only thirty-tWo
lives were lost by such accidents. and If this ratio
Sc kent I'D the total for the year will be less than
fo,r hundred Further improvement may be ex-
uected after the street railroad companies general
iy have complied with the recent orders OF the
commission ;he installation on surface cars III
all the boroughs of efficient Tenders CT wheel
guards.
The corrniss~sn has also caused the reduction OF
local fares on the New York Central system and
brought about better suburban service and mora
frequent stops by trains on that system III me
E9ro,x 1t has I think lessened the death roll on
Eleventh avenue by insisting upon the statonlng
Of Aagnen Al every crossing, and the enforcement
Of the law against trespassng on the tracks
IN a thorough investigation the commission eN-
,,ose5 The methods by which the Metropolitan
street Railway system wrecked, and brought
to life among other things the paper railroad oea
by which a local company was forced TO pay sSo9''
for franchise for which the owner asked oIiy
500 Ooa the final result of the exposure being the
restitution by recipients Of the money paid over
and above the purchase price
The repetition Of such methods. I believe. has
been carefully guarded against by the precautions
,-hicl, the commission has taken TO insure me
keeping of Uniform system Of accounts ny Inc
railroad and street railroad companies subject to
..ovs+sDr s,4rery-ision Y the commission
..Tt is not the commissions fault that transfers
m 10Th street have not been restored. The COM
NAMES resisted tha order Of the commission in the
courts and obtained through writs of certlora the
right to have a judicial review OF the commission
action.
l-Tf Is almost needless 20 refer to the numerous
y7ers fseed for new stations. new stalTWaHs. sheI
4ers etc issued By the commission during the last
TWO wears They cover elevated, subway ana uol-
ley lines and reach all boroughs
because I have said much about the work
of the commission in the traction field. DO not
v4sb YOU 20 understand that the commission has
An any Wav neglected the and electric corpora
.os ,,nder its jurisdiction An electric laboratory
has been installed where electric current meters
sre tested bv expert engineers The work of test
s,. gas meters has progressed most satisfactorily
and the result Of many Of these tests has peeh 10
hiring about the restoration Of overcharges 10 con
s4Iuoers The commission participated, too, In the
succeesfui fight for the S9-cent gas law IN ue
United States courts.
Vlectric light and power companies nave peeh
induced 10 restore akdown' service, 10 ADJUST
their rates and 10 introduce into general use metal
lie nlarnent lamps. whereby consumers are ehaDieu
70 get more illumination for given price
THE commission has also established UNIFORM
systems OF accounts for gas and electric corpora
lions provided for the publication OF rates ana
contracts anl forbidden discrimination in rates.