The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08

"Undcr the inspection of the commits
sions engineers equipment Is kept con-
stanLy up to the standard, with the
result that there are comparatively few
breakdowns and the spectacle, once
common in the streets Of New York, Of
long strings Of stalled cars due to the
breakdown OF operating machinery has
become n memory.
The commission has saved the lives
Of hundreds OF citizens. In 1908 tho
number OF persons killed on railroads
and street railroads IN the greater city
was 4A. This was before tho order
for tenders and wheel guards had been
passed. In Fhe year 1914 on the same
railroads and street railroads in the
face OF very much larger traffic and
an expanded car mileage, tho number
killed was 292. II tho fatal accidents
had kept pace with the increase in traf-
10 tho number killed in 1914 would
have been more than 700. The decrease
IN tho number Of fatal accidents was
brought about in the face OF an increase
In the number OF passengers carried or
moro than 500, 900 900.
The commission early IN 1908 started
q general Investigation OF the electric
light and power companies. Several
complaints had been received that GER
tain companies had refused TO give q
Under the old system. when break
down service was refused, the consumer
ordinarily would have been obliged to
pay from two to four times as much for
q breakdown connection as under tho
plan put into operation as the result OF
tho commissions action.
1.-THE electric Investigation resulted in
many improvements in the treatment of
consumers. Under tho commissions or
ders tho companies were obliged to pub
lish their forms OF contract, rate sched-
ules, &c. and discrimination in the mat
ter OF rites to favored customers was
forbidden. Forms Of contract were sim
plfled so that It II now possible for
consumer TO ascertain easily the rate
to which he Is entitled according to the
amount OF current he consumes.
Consumers save sf,25O,OOo.
"The New York Edison Company ac-
ce4ed - the commissions request for
an adjustment ~ rates, and on July /,
1911, pat ntl effect 81 new tariff, max
Ing general revision, Il was esti-
m"td 10y ipr company that the reduc-
tlGus uJd" hy the new tariff we're
cqu'valcu, 90 an annual saving OF ST.
@5oooo % jls consumers The new rates
however, .u1, ed only to consumers
t.uny more shan t95 worth OF current
AlurtH. l.H proceeding inaIgurated
upon the complaints of small consumers
is still pending 3cture the commission
MANY poor family in the greater
city has received financial hcn.nt from
the comm ssinus performance of It's duty
IN testing ras meters. No company Is
now allowed 10 place In service a gas
meter which has not been tested and
found TO b" correct hy the Public Ser
vice Commission, consumer may
have his meter tested by applying t.
the commission and paying fec OF 80
cents
In case the meter l. found fast the
fec is returned to him and paid by the
gas company. The companies have
made II a practice TO refund to a con-
sumer the amount which he may have
been overcharsed by reason OF a fast
meter, when such meter has been in SER
vice for any considerable period OF time.
Since 1907 the commission has tested
2,704,754 gas meters
Tn 1907 the longest trains possible 10
operate In tho subway were eight car
express trains ana six car local trains
Tho commission reconstructed the sta
tiou platforms, AT a cost of 1896. 600
mabhnE possible the operation of 10 car