New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
Mitchell Oppose /
Plan to Increas|
Streetcar Fan
Transit Lines Should d
War Burdens with O.
liens, Mayor Says
Never Shared Proit
Hardy Ordered to Fight p
at Hearing June 6 Bsf~.
P. S. Commission
Never Shared Prof,

Believing that the citizens Nv.
York should no. be called upss, :,
time when the war is adding Av,a...
and sacrifices, 10 pay more for ,,,..
portation. Mayor Mitchell ans..,..,
yesterday that he would insist tk.s ..
city be represented at all the nsu.,
tions and hearings before the p.l,.
Service Commission on the appliesti..,
of the stree railway companies fsr ].
creased fares or 7-eent transfers
The Mayor sent letter 10 Chain.
Oscar S. Strsus. Of the comnis,.
asking him to notify Corporation Ca,
sci Hardy when any such proc.ed,,.
were to be held, so that Nr. H,,.
could appear as the Mayors repre,c
tstivc.
In a letter 10 Corporation Cou,v
Hardy on the subject, the Mayor d
rected Mr.. Hardy to appear at the h.,
ings. which begin June 6. and "str.s
ously and constantly oppose tie n
quests OF the companies unless 4,
until they show tina, the need for :.
creased rates is Imperative, perms.r,
absolutely necessary and cannot b se
in any other way"
Burden on Citizens, Mayor San
His letter to Mr.. Hardy follows
at is currently reported that q,
street railway companies Of the si,y
have requested or intend 70 request II,
Public Service Commission to sg.hsn,,
an increase in fares. q restriction n
transfer facilities or the introduas'
of a charge for transfers. whsss,e
form such request may take, III
obvious effect will be to increase III
cost OF transportation to the citizens o
New York.
an my opinion, the City Of New Yer,
should be represented in all proceed
ings before the Public Service Commit
sion relative to these matters, and u,
requests of the companies should h
strenuously and constantly opposed
unless and until they show that tf'
need for increased rates is imperative,
permanent, absolutely necessary and
cannot be met In any other wy.
THE policy OF a uniform kye<.n,
fare with free transfers between all
subsidiaries controlled by single
street railway company has been the
recognized policy Of the city and state
for many years. II should not now be
upset merely because the eompsnles
may have encountered temporary dit
culties, or because the var into which
we have entered demands unusual sac
ritices.
Every citizen will be called upon .
make money contributions which VII
be a hardship. and Thousands will rs'
only surrender their property, but Tier
lives. Is there any reason why pubh
utilities should be placed in an exenr'
class and allowed TO increase their Fsr
so as to preserve their earnings d
tact?
Profits in Past Years Large
"If the companies had been shsn:i
their profits with the public during ne
years when they were making large ~
turns, their claims might be coniide'st
more favorably. But it will b n
called that in past years these ses
panies have made large profits snd ~
city's claims for readjustment or NJ
nicipal purchase oil their property vef'
opposed.
"The companies pleaded that thtih:
contracts with the city, and eis'se'
that their rights TO the earnings se'
protected by the United States C'f
stitution. Hence, If the companies "
now encountering unusual dlffieult'ss,
it just that the public should ee
quired to bear their burdens wasn
has been denied any share IN us'
profits?
Certain Of the companies about
petition the Public Service ComraisH'
have only recently been reorran'ies
and their petitions for the sppro'h
large issues OF securities were oppet
by the commission on the ground VI
neither the value Of their properly -
their prospective earnings justiiied sSs
capitalization. :,
The companies contended thar "
commission had no jurisdiction y.
these matters, and they were upneie
the courts, not upon the value OF Ins
property, but upon the ground fnss ~
law gave them the right TO issue - q
amount Of stocks and bonds when q
not exceed the total capitalization. !, =
the old companies. ConsequenI,,l
neither the commission nor the po'.'
is under any obligation TO reeesn
the claim of the companies to CARNEY
upon excessive capitalization: 4,
II desire that you appear before - =,
Public Service Commission and opPs.
the demands OF the companies y
authority TO increase fares or
crease free transfer facilities IN -
way that will cause an ineresH "
fares"
Third Avenue To BE Heard m
The Public Service Commissiea ~.
begin the hearing on June 6 VITA g
siders.ion of the petition Of he t'''
Avenue Railroad Company. sl
As soon as that is disposed Of ~.
take up the petition Of the New ~. =.
Railways Company. which opersses ~
green cars. and subsequently the -,
ton OF the Brooklyn Rapid In''
Company. -
The petition OF the New Yen
Queens County Railways Company = :,
been returned TO the company VIA =
request that il submit an amended z,
ion s,at,n. tha daen,,a rsitef dfe1ts