New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-04
CALLS MAYOR INSULTING
William Jay SChieffeIin Returns a
Letter He Received.
ABOUT QUEENS FRANCHISE
Gaynor Doesn't Care to Hear
from Citizens Union Chair.
man ION Any Subject"

William Jay Schedelin. chairman Of the
executive committee Of the Citizens
Union. has returned to Mayor Gaynor a
letter which he considers was insulting.
Mr. Scheffelin wrote:
The accompanying letter is returned 10
Won as unworthy of your Office. II matters
NJ public concern cannot be Communi-
Gated TO YOU without receiving insult In
return. II is time the citizens Of the city
knew II and ! shall take pains to see that
they are properly Informed on the subject.
The controversy has arisen over the
franchise Of the old South Shore Traction
Ccmpsny. which was one Of the Joseph G.
Robin interests. The recently incorporated
Manhattan & Jamaica Railway Company
arulicd TO the Board of Estimate for per-
mission TO buy the franchise in modified
form The Citizens Union wrote to the
franchise committee Of the Board of Esti-
ate urging that the City's right TO declare
the franchise void be not waived.
The MAYOR sent Mr.. Schicffein a letter
in which ne said:
We arc not i'm a hurry TO revoke the
franchise Of the South Shore Traction
COMPANY We intend to he entirely fair to
those who have invested their money in
that enterprise I am not aware of any
reason why YOU should be so anxious TO
have MS act with severity in the case
Replyins. Mr. SchieTclin wrote. saying
That the public as well as ahose interested
in The company. must absulvo the Mayor
ffom the charge Of being in hurry to
revoke the franchise. as the defaults OF the
south Shore Traction Company began as
early as May %. 1910 lie went on to say
that the complaint of the Citizens Union
that an irresponsible company was block
made as long ago as February :, 1911. and
that u March Of that year the Board Of
Estimate, itself adopted a resolution direct
1pe tho company to show cause why its
frarcnfs, should not be declared forfeited.
Continuing. Nj. Schieffelin said:
,.,, sa, that YOU are not aware Of any
reason why { should be 50 anxious to nave
Won act with severity I'm the case. l nave
no personal interest i'm mo matter what
ever Ny only interest - IN" development
Of prOper transit IaclfltlCS il queens
Borough for the benefit Of the public. Ihe
records Of the Finance Department show
that during the period from November;
1917, TO April, 1917, the company mas pdlu
the city only $3.lO4, although II mas become
indebted TO the city duritg this period Tor
amounts aggreCaung H$i.oE
Al,hougu D, dpivals ln 'hr Complaint anu
Is admitted IN the answer, in tine receiver
shin urUCo edingS. that the Chlef source OF
revenue of the defendant corporation AT
The present time is derived from the opera
lion Of the so-Called bridge local service
upon the Queensboro Bridge and that the
NOT earnings Of the company are IN excess
If S35.Gu year yet the company Is IN de-
FAULT go tho city for the very rentals II
greed 10 pay for the bridge service. THIS
il desuite the fact that the company mas
been earning several hundred per cent per
arnum net from its bridge local service,
Tho investment being $500 for ten cars
used ON the bridge and other equipment,
which probably does not represent more
than 5000 or $3.50 in value
Nj Schieffelin closed by saying:
am not aware Of any reason why YOU
should bc over-soliCitOus Of the interests OF
z franchise holding corporation which is so
Ear from prompt i'm meeting its obligations
the city.
The Mayors reply which M schicnclin
.eturned was as follows:
Your letter Of May I'D is at hand. | con-
,lude from your letter that you either have
2 personal interest in the matter or repre-
cent some one who has. In any event |
ollld not attach much weight to your let
ter for your nvariablo course disclOses
purpose not to help. but to hurt In fine,
10 not care to hear from you N any sub