The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-12
COMMISSION ORDERS
ELEVATED HEARING
Mr.. Cram Would Spend ST.
100000 to Strengthen Struc-
ture for Steel Cars.
MORE ARRESTS MINATED

A public hearing broad enough In scope
TO include every possible area OF investi-
CATION of elevated railroad operation will
be held by the Public Service Commission
beginning next Wednesday afternoon as
a result Of the collision between Ninth
avenue local and an express of the same
line last Wednesday evening, In which
two lives were lost and scores OF persons
we're injured. An effort will be made TO
determine whether the present equipment
OF the elevated roads Is adequate for
safety OF operation.
The hearing wa. precipitated by reso-
tuition offered at the meeting Of the COM
mission yesterday by Commissioner J. Ser
geant Cram. The resolution calls upon
the marlborough Rapid Transit Company
to show cause why the company shout
not be ordered to strengthen the elevated
structures throughout the city so that
steel cars can be used Instead of wooden
ones. Mr.. Cram maintained that the
safety OF passengers was above any IMAM
cial consideration and that wooden cars
should be taken on by the first OF the
year.
There is no Public Service Commission
order compelling the use OF steel cars on
the elevated roads. Chairman Edward T..
Mccall said yesterday The latest order
in that respect was issued In 1905. 1t re-
quired all street railways intending to
purchase equipment to submit plans and
specifications of the intended purchases to
the commission for approval This rule
enables the commission TO withhold APP
prevail OF all but steel cars, and in the new
subways under construction. Mr.. Mccall
said. none but steel cars will he operated.
All the new elevated structures now
being built and the third tracking of ex
isting lines. except the sixth avenue line.
will provide for heavy steel cars such AZ
are used In the subway. Chairman Nc
Call said also yesterday that no more
wooden cars would he approved or even
asked for by the marlborough.
Mr. Grams comment on the situation
was this.
Wooden cars on any railroad cons,i-
tute serious menace to life and limb
These cars are relics ~ bygone genera
ton and should be dispensed with At
present there are as wooden cars In use
in the subway. These must be removed,
and | will do all in my pow er to see that
they are removed.
at is claimed that the elevated struc-
lures will not bear the strain OF steel
rolling stock. IT is commended that these
would have to he strengthened to accom-
modate steel cars Very well. then, |
say reinforce them and lose no time. re-
sardless OF the cost. The preservation of
life and limb should be more important
than any question Of spending money.
The work can be done without inter-
fering with the train schedules"
While these preventive steps were be-
ing discussed. the Investigations OF the
District Attorneys office. Coroner Pat
rick n. Riordan and Fire Marshal William
Finn were continued along lines TO place
the actual responsibility for the operation
which caused Wednesdays accident.
These may reach higher than Motormsn
Thomas Mcmahon ard Conductor Alvin
II. Rolls OF the local train, who were
charged with manslaughter
An unofficial estimate made yesterday
was that the cost OF Strengthening the ex-
listing elevated structures would be sl7,-
100000 and of substituting steel cars for
the 1.6o0 wooden ones now In use sl7.-
100000 more