New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-03
CIRCULATED MONOPOLY"


From the supporters of the INTERIOR
ough company we hear much about the
blessings of regulated monopoly. But
has not the city had an experience OF
regulated monopoly ever since the PUB
lie Service Commission entered upon
its duties2 Has it been SO happy under
it that IT should not sigh for something
different? Regulated monopoly has. in
deed, been vastly better than the old I'M
regulated kind. but nevertheless regu-
lation has not been able to prevent IN
decent tanning in the subway. There
was the stubborn fact that the cltys
transit facilities were inadequate to
carry the crowds seeking tranSporta-
ton. Regulation could not add to the
| facilities: in fact. the very interests
which are now descanting about the
bliss of regulated monopoly were only
little while ago saying that il was
regulation which prevented additional
| facilities.
Look at your blessed regulation.
they were saying-we can quote the
actual words if any one doubts it-"not
"a single inch of additional railway
! track has been laid in the city since
the Public Service Commission was
| appointed Monopoly left TO itself
would never have permitted the city of
New York thus TO Starve. You have
KILLED the goose that laid the golden
egg. The fair flower of individual I'M
'.tiative is dead Where are your trans
..fers: Under regulation they have
rapidly disappeared" But now these
same apologists for monopoly are say
ing: Yes. We know monopoly has its
faults. We would never think of rec
commencing it in all its pristine ugil-
ness. But think of the manifold bless
''ings of regulation, Consider the adj
''vantageS of regulated monopoly, with
Its universal transfers from every
corner Of the city To every other corner,
all for five cents.
We are glad to see them coming
around 10 the admission of the benefits
of regulation. But. after all. regula-
ton cannot do everything. II cannot
make an Ethiopian change LIS color.
L cannot alter the spirit and traditions
of the old Ryan Metropolitan group.
which still animate the monopoly s
management 1t cannot convert those
who really control the Inte~boroughs
policy from obStructionists into progress
siye managers with an enlightened con-
ception of what the duties and respon-
sil3ilitieS of a public service corpora
ton are It cannot make a subway
built 10 carry half million people
carry a million and a half. and it can
not compel the monopoly To build needed
additions 10 its lines. The limits OF
regulation are Obvious. 1t may make
q public service corporation perform to
the best Of its ability a public service
which it has undertaken to perform. but
il cannot compel il to undertake addl-
riopal public services. We have had a
regulated monopoly and it steadfastly
refused. except upon terms which II
knew TO be impossible of acceptance. TO
s,lppIy needed additions to the present
subway. All the regulation in the WoTld
could not overcome its ohduracy. but it
required only one threat OF real competi-
ton apparently TO make it keen to do IFS
duty.
1t NAV be suggested that the city
should enter into a covenant With the
regulated monopoly To build extensions |
when required But would such CON
tracts furnish any assurance that the
extensions would be made without the
delay which wears out the patience OF
the people with monopoly: There would
be room for interminabe disputes. The
monopoly declines 10 recognize the exf-
-ency. Arbitrators. probably provided for
in the agreement. are called in and uitI-
mately render decision Then the
whole question goes into The courts rs
to whether or not the proposed extern
sions come within the terms OF the
contract. Before The legal resources Of
an obstructionist regulation can merely
throw UP its hands.