New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-04
Mitchell Reamrns
Belief in Principle
Of City Ownership
Prepared to Apply 1t When
Its Need Is Shown
to Exist

Mayor Mitchell reafirmed yesterday
his Endorsement Of the principle OF
municipal ownership. He made II clear
that he was not discussing the recent
proposal OF Tammany for Democratic
city platform with that plank included,
but was merely reafirming the views
that he has consistently held and often
expressed. In commenting on the Tam
many proposal the fusion leaders yes
terday were amused at the efforts OF
the Tammany-Hear propaganda to
usurp a real Mitchel-fusion issue.
az am favorable to municipal owner
ship in a great many fields said the
Mavor. For instance, | am strongly
in favor of it in the case of the sub
ways
The Mayor explained that he was not
nrepared 20 make an iron rule OF the
principle. but that he was prepared 10
apnlv i wherever occasion for II could
be shown TO exist.
Hervey Urges Caution
In statement issued yesterday by
Charles 5. Hervey, acting chairman OF
tho Public Service Commission, ne COM
mented upon the possibilities OF muhlc-
ipal ownership as follows .
~, would be unfortunate, IN view OF
tho large measure of control OF the
situation possible under the present
law # the public should get the I'M
pression that its only protection was
through municipal ownership OF these
roads the transit companies. Much
information as TO the values OF THESE
uroperties will be obtained through the
hearings now in progress before the
commission. If we are going 10 nave
municipal ownership, let Us begin by
acquiring those public utilities when
are making great profits out or the pun
lie. and not those which their own man
ayers declare are on the verge oil bank
ruptcy.'
Commissioner Hervey was asked, IN
view of the pending proceedings Tor
charge of two cents for transfers and
of the threatened strike among the men
Of the Third Avenue Railway system,
what the Public Service Commission
could do if the street railroads were
forced into the hands Of receivers or
exercised whatever legal rights they
have for the abolition of transfers.
The presentatives OF AZ least two
of the surface railway systems have
declared that unless they are granted
new sources of revenue they VIII be
forced into the hands of receivers, with
consequent Inconvenience 20 the public
through the disintegration Of their
systems into their previous component
parts" said Commissioner Hervey.
Those statements become increasingly
important in view of the threat Of re
uewed labor strikes on the lines OF the
companies and with the at least coin
cdent revival Of municipal ownership
as a local political issue.
Transfer Agreement Binding
The Commissioner pointed out that
any changes made In the organization
Of the Third Avenue Railway system
or the New York Railways system
would not affect the binding force Of
the order which was issued by the
commission or October -. 1912, and
which required the companies 20 issue
transfers so as TO provide for contlnu-
Gus transportation in the same direc-
ton at points on the East and West
sides at a single fare, with free trans
fers.
He declared that should the com
panies attempt 20 suspend these
transfers the commission could prose-
cute them for violation of its orders.
He said that this transfer arrange
ment could not be changed by the com
panies without coming back 20 the
commission for modification of the or
der. and the companies would have 20
establish 20 the commissions satlsfac-
ton that the present transfer arrange
ment was inequitable.