New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-07
Streetcar Fare
Changes to Await
A Final Decision
Chairman Straus Makes
Announcement at Third
Avenue Hearing

The Public Service Commission yes
terday adjourned until June IL the
hearing on the Third Avenue Railway
Company's application for permission
to charge two cents for transfers or
otherwise increase its rate Of fare.
Counsel for the city and the company
were unable to proceed yesterday.
Hearings on the petitions Of the New
York Railways, the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit and other companies will fol-
low the conclusion Of the Third Ave
rue case.
In the mean time. at the request OF
Judge William L. Ransom, counsel TO
the commission. John j. Rogers, a
Brooklyn lawyer, will submit brief
urging that the power to increase rates
or allow any charge for transfers IS
exclusively within the power OF the
Legislature.
From the array Of counsel and IN
dividYals representing various civic or
CARNATIONS opposing the petitions oil
the companies it was apparent that u
would be a considerable time before
the Third Avenue case could be con-
cluded. and that Of the New York Rail
WAYS taken up. Persons familiar with
the workings Of the commission esu-
mate that at least six months VIII be
required to dispose of the matter, while
othors said il would be nearer a year
No Changes Pending Decision
Meantime Chairman Oscar Straus OK
nlained that there could be no change
in the existing system of transfers or
fares.
That there is some question as 10
the mower of the commission IN the
matter was set out by Judge Ransom
in a statement outlining the position
Of the commission just after Chairman
Straus had raped for order ana Deioie
the various counsel had entered Ihe'r
appearances. ..- =, forco
i'm this city, sara NJ "i' O." -.
a variety Of statutory regulations;
There are certain clearly dlherentlateu
situations. out of which transfer ar
rangements arise, and as to tnese m
provisions Of statutes, lncludlng tne
statutes defining the commission pro-
cedurc and power, vary marhedl!'
"Tbcse proceedings involve requests
for changes in what has been reGatden
as the statutory policy OF the state
The commission desires compact pre-
cntation OF evidence along the lines OF
its statutory powers.
Pcnresenting the Third Avenue al
the hearing were Alfred A. Cook gen,
oral counsel. Joseph T. Cotton OF
Snoonor & Cotton, and George r
Franklin; James l.. Quackcnbush rep,
resented the New York RAJ ways and
Iosenh K. Choate the New York state
Flec,ric Railway Association
Counsel for the Opponents
With Mr.. Hardy representing The
city wore Samuel J. Rosensohn, MAY
Rosentbal and Ernest +. Baldwin. As
somblyman Mark Goldberg appeared
for his constituents in the 18th DIS
trict. Frederick VI. Schlosser, II. \
Jordan. Sidney S. Devine and Senator
John j. Dunnigan, for civic organiza
lions in The Bronx; Judge John II
Uylan for the Allied Boards Of Trad,
Of Brooklyn; Allison l.. Adams anc
John j. Gordon for the Gravesenc
Board Of Trade; John J. Rogers fo'
r.,idents Of the Ridgewood section OF
Brooklvn. and Cornelius Shechan iol
various Brooklyn interests.
Organized labor was represented bj
Ernest L. Boehm, secretary Of tho
Central Federated Union; David Levy
Of the Cigarmakers; Herman kriizer
OF the Brooklyn Central Labor Union
and John j. lIanlcy, Of the buildini
trades.
The city's representatives entcte'
their appearance in all Of the cases. a.
did the labor men, the appearance q
Kritzer. Of Brooklyn. in the New Yorl
Railways case. giving the first hint o.
what may be expected when the hear
ings get under way.
II did not know We ran 20 Brook
lyn," said Mr. Quackcnbush, represent
ing the New York company, with
mile.
"You won't smile when we're through
with you" replied tho MI from Brook