New-York tribune., 1917-06-29
Railways Figures
Are Attacked at
Transfer Hearing
Public Service Commission
ers and Third Avenue
Witnesses Clash

The continued hearing yesterday be-
fore the Public Service Commission on
the application OF the Third Avenue
Railroad Company for permission to
charge 2 cents for transfers was fire.
auently enlivened by brisk passages at
arms between members OF the COM
mission and counsel and witnesses for
the railroad company. At one point
Commissioner Charles s. Hervcy ac-
cused Alfred A. Cook, counsel for the
company, Of presenting statement IN
regard to quantities and price Of ma
terials which did mot fairly and
frankly set forth what il purports TO
be-"
Sharp words were exchanged for sew
eral minutes. Mr.. Cook tried to cx-
plain the figures in the statement to
the satisfaction Of the commission.
only To run into q mild clash with
Chairman Oscar s. Straus. Mr.. Straus
wanted 10 know II the cOmpany's books
didn't show what il actually purchased.
Nr. Cook called unon John Flint, eN-
pert accountant for the company, 10
explain the company's system OF ac-
counts. The commissioners did not ap-
near to be much enlightened after Flint
had made long explanation.
Expert Tells of Appraisals
Wrangling occurred at the afternoon
se.sion over the testimony OF Edward
G.. Conncttc. engineer Of transportation
Of the Public Service Commission from
1909 10 1912. who was called by the
company a an expert Judge Ransom,
counsel to the commission, objected TO
Mr. Conrctte's testimony as TO the pres
cnt value Of the company's property.
Counsel tried to show that the witness
was biassed because of his interest in
upstate railway companies, some OF
which had recently pettioned the up
state commission for an increase in
fares.
An appraisal OF the Third Avenue
company nroperty at 3l.l02,943 was
r,ado by sir. Connettc in 1910, when the
company was rcorgonizcl The Public
Service Commission at that time al
lowed valuation Of $50, 100000. The
company contends that The valuation
LOW should be about Sii.000,000. Mr..
Conrette said that il would cost con
siderably more" to replace the plant of
the Third Avenue company to-day than
in 1910.
Judge Ransom brought out that Mr..
Connette in q subsequent appraised in
July. 1911. made for the purpose Of fix
ing rates. had set aside s7,222.75s of
mon operative" property Of the COM
pany as not included in the valuation.
Would Reduce Valuation
The witness explained that this was
proDorty not used for the public SER
,.cc. consisting Of real estate. urusable
cars, &c. Il was pointed out that on
this basis the Connette valuation OF
the property would be Gu; down from
t3l 600 900 70 about $4,000, 900, and
that the commits ,ion's allowed valuation
would be reduced proportionally.
The company's representatives tried
TO show that tho present income was
entirely inadequate and unjust as a re-
turn on the valuation, and hence the
company should be allowed 20 charge
for transfers.
In his examination of Mr. Connctte
Judge Ransom characterized any tes-
timony he might give a. 70 the pres
cnt value Of tho tonlpany's property as
"acroplane tes.irIony." as the company
mercy wanted its expert to hy over
the plant and then tell what It was
worth II was brought out that the en-
cincer did Mt make any personal eX-
animation Of the property for his ap-
rhisals. but left that work to sub
ordinatcs.
The hearing was adjourned until
July ..