New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-30
Only Those Affecting INTERIOR
ough Remain To Be Smoothed
Out Before Contracts Go
TO Estimate Board.
EARLIER &c. C0NEY FARE
Wilcox Likely to Hold On Until
Agreements Are Executed Is
Belief-Merchants to Urge
Sulzer Not to Delay
Transit Plans.

made after executive sessions Of the
Public Service Commission yesterday
on the dual subway contracts. One
was that formal execution of the con-
tracts by tomorrow night was doubt
ful: another, that as a result of the ses'
sions the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany had agreed to grant the five-cent
fare to Coney Island in eighteen
months. instead of four years. as orig
inaly agreed, and also that further
conferences with the operating COM
panies would be necessary.
Colonel r. s. williams, president OF
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company,
was called into the executive meeting
OF the commission at Mr.. WillcoXs
home last mig. =. The amendments IN
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Companys
contract were taken up with him and
were said TO have had his approval.
With practically all the changes In the
Brooklyn ;apid Transit Companys
contract smoothed out, 1t will be pos
sible TO devote the entire time to-day
10 the consideration of the INTERIOR
ough contract, it was said.
The commission did not finish its
second session until late last night a.
Chairman Willcox's home. 1t held ex-
ecutive sessions during the day at its
Headquarters. in the Tribune Building.
and met again with Mr.. WILCOX atahis
home. in East 45th street, in the even
ing.
All the members Of the commission
were present at the sessions except
Commissioner Cram, who refused to
attend because he was opposed to the
present form OF the contracts" and OBJ
jected to closed meetings.
The transit committee Of the Board
Of Estimate and Apportionment. con.
sistinS OF Borough Presidents Mean
eny. Cromwell and Miller, attended the
sessions. Their presence was expected
to facilitate matters when the contracts
go to the Board Of Estimate and Ap.
portionment for its approval.
Cannot Rush Contracts.
While Chairman Wilcox and tho
other commissioners who stand WITH
him in support of the contracts hope to
get them TO the Board OF Estimate TO-
morrow. Mr.. Wilcox, after the days
meetings. expressed himself as doubt
fuI that II could be done. The commits
sion has to vote upon the contracts a.
a whole in open meeting before they
can be sent TO the Board Of Estimate.
This could not be done until the regu-
lar meeting Of the commission tc-mor-
row. and perhaps not then. 1t was
pointed out that a special meeting or
the Board of Estimate could be called
TO- morrow, with the probability OF ap-
proving the contracts in time TO ger
them back to the commission for hnel
execution tomorrow night, but such a
course was doubtful. it was said.
Although Mr.. Willcox's term AZ chair"
man expires AT midnight tomorrow
confidence was expressed by the com"
missioners that he would hold over
a sufficient length OF time to see the
contracts through. The chairman cre-
ated a surprise last night among those
who have been closely following the
situation when he said further con-
ference with the representatives OF
the operating companies would be nee
essary. II had been announced that
no further conferences with the COM
NAMES would be necessary. The rep
resentatives of the companies are ex-
pected 10 meet the commissioners to-
day.
Chairman Wilcox said last night:
we are now going over the amend
ments, and when we have them all
settled the companies will be called In
again for their final word, probably to-
morrow"
No More Open Hearings.
Mr.. Wilcox said there would be no
further public hearings on the con-
tracts and that the changes which had
been made would not be announced un-
iii the contracts were completed and
executed
ITO announce the changes or hold
further public hearings would only be