New-York tribune., 1910-12-29
Personal Equation Considered

The report says THAI the committee be-
sie1cs that the quality Of the service given
a,v any corporation depends more upon the
sDe-soral equation than upon the presence
cf competition. and continues:
Does any ore doubt for example, that
r. Nj NcAdoo were placed in charge OF
re marlborough system the attitude OF
ehe Interborough toward the public would
Re radically changed? Some day even the
management of the Interborough may
searn rnat the good Will of the people is
seorth avins for every reason Nlen
This idea really reaches home the Inter
borough will strive as earnestly as Mr.
nfcAdoo now does 10 please the public.
Such change of attitude might come from
conpetition. but il may also come with
sout II.
This committee, therefore, would depre-
cate the adoption of policy Of competition
which would forfeit all Of the advantages
pertaining TO the Interboroigh offer which
have been outlined: which would involve
the city in useless expense. and in return
FOR which. in the judgment ST this COM
77littee, the city would be likely to reap
disadvantage rather than advantage.
This committee is unanimous in hoping
shat the public authorities viii accept the
proposal OF the 1nterborough. with such
notifications in detail as NAV appear to
them judieious. and that they will do this
as promptly as possible and thus pat an
end tc a situation that is already. from
,he point Of view of the travelling public,
fntolera bic, and which becomes worse every
rav that tie settlement is post poned.
Views of Sub Committees
Tne report Of the committee as a whole,
.sicred by Seth Low chairman, presents
q general summary of the reports sub
emitted L, four suD-committces dealing
with tho engineering, financial and legal
especis Of the matter and traffic distribu
aion The bulk of all 5hese reports IS de-
voted Ia the elaboration of f.te advantages
offered bv- Tie Int borough and criticism
.of The proposed trfloluusil route. Only
few suggestions are made fer the possible
'-17oaificaticn OF the final contract. although
81 is knoRn that the members OF the Pub
T. rtc Service Cor,ur ssion themselves are not
l.atisfed with the proposal as it stands at
irresert.
The report of tie subcommittee on en-
.rineerias- condemns the triborough route.
I'm our opinion. it says, the route,
:sDlaus and specifications of the triborough
seystem contain 50 many Objectionable feat
cures that in the interest Of public con-
s--enience and safety, and from the point
;of view Of a wise use of the taxpayers
Sno-ey their 2doption a they DOW stand Is
tnpracticable.
modification of those plans. the report
of the engineers states would consume
f1reG-. whereas there are engineering
pobiections la the" Interborougll's proposal.
The most islportant suggestion made by
yshis committee is that the proposed ele-
-atei extension on Jerome avenue should
See an integral part Of the new subways
end rot &c given to the Manhattan Rail
nav Company. rs proposed at present
sstl9er recommendations are greater cor
eeniences at the stations, joint supervision
spf the expenditure of all funds and the in
isertion Of suitable clauses 1rIto The contract
80 enforce proper regulation for both public
.cor7lfcrt and safety and courteous treat
irnent of The public by the company's enl-
i1loyes
Financial Condition Approved.
The Tntcrboroucn's demand for first
lien for its own capital is pronounced rea-
sonsble by the subcommittee on finance.
This committee believes that il is fair,
because the Interborough company pro-
,aese., TO embark in The enterprise a larger
and indeterninate volume OF bonds than
she city. though the property will belong
Go the CITY; further, that it is in the in
seresf Of the city that this precedence
ehould lie given to the private bonds, be
csuse bv enjoying this precedence these
hands can be fioated at a lower rate OF
interest than otherwise
REGARDING the terms covering the opera
.ion of the Fourth avenue subway. N
rsrooklyrl the committee suggests that AS
the Interborough is unwilling TO take the
risk of a loss on the operation Of the route
and demands a guarantee from the city IT
should forfeit its claim TO share The profits
If the road should bring any in the course
OF time until all advances made by the
city nave been recovered. Thereafter, it is
suggested the profits could be divided in
iproportion to the capital which each in
,-ested in that route $
1t might also be fair, the report says,
TO provide that if the returns thus made
10 The operating company during the pen
i.lency of its lease do not equal the amount
.,f IT'S investment in operating plant and
-ne interest thereon the city should
make good any such deficiency in the re-
71rns. in case the operating lease is not re-
1eNed.
The committee recommends the approval
~f the Interborough's offer on the ground
that II Will give a great addition TO the
present subway system and will remedy Its