New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-16
Says Revenue Is Needed
to Keep N. Y. Railways
from Bankruptcy
Service Board Will
Hear Appeal To-day
Labor Protests Against l.
Cent Fare for All Who
Change Cars

Theodore 7. Shonts. president Of the
New York Railways Company, last night
announced that the company would ask
the Public Service Commission for per
mission 10 charge two cents for every
transfer. This means a seven-cent fare
when transfers are necessary. Similar
action is expected from other local
traction companies. with the exception
Of the Interborough. operating the ~
and subway systems
The charge FOR transfers. Mr.. Shonts
said. is necessary Il the company IS 10
receive sufficient revenues TO enable II
20 meet its operating charges and in
terest on is bonds. Otherwise he fore
sees bankruptcy and the dissolution OF
The company. with several corporations
operating the lines IL now operates.
The increase in the revenues ne eN-
meets a two-cent transfer charge would
WELD he estimates at 100000.
This estimate is based on the theory
that one-half OF those who now use
two or more cars on their trips about
town would walk par, of their jour
news. As the company carried $4,000
600 persons on transfers last year. the
number OF those who would walk 10
save the additional two cents IS esti-
mated at 100000.
Will Present Request To-day
The request for permission 70 make
the two-cent charge for transfers VIII
ne informally presented 10 the Pubic
Service Commission this afternoon by
a committee representing the local
traction companies. headed by Colonel
Timothy :. Williams. OF the Brooklyn
Eapid Transit Company. At the same
time similar committee. headed by
l.. $. Storrs. Of the Westchester Com
psny. will ask the upstate commission
for larger revenues for the upstate
traction companies.
In making announcement OF the de-
cision Of the companies 10 ask for two
cent transfers Mr.. Shonts declares
that the increased cost Of materials,
labor ana taxes makes an increase in
revenues necessary. The sum received.
he says. will not enable the company
20 pay dividends. but viii prevent
bankruptcy.
As for the free transfer system, Mr..
Shonts says the theory that it would
increase business on which the Legs
lature acted when II exacted them as
condition Of consultations has been
proved fallacious, and, "as the trans
fer passenger has been the cause of
reductions in revenue, il is only fair
that he should now pay something
for the transportation he has been re-
ceiving free for many years"
Shonts Seeks Support
In support of the proposition TO
charge for transfers Mr.. Shonts yes
terday addressed letters TO the Cham
her OF Commerce, Merchants Associa-
ton and other trade bodies asking for
their assistance in securing larger reve-
nues. In these letters the need Of good
traction service was pointed out and
the financial position of the companies
explained. Employees of the company
are also urged 10 do their part in MAX
ing change popular.
Against the proposition protests
began 10 shower on the Public Service
Commission from the labor organZa-
tions Of the several boroughS. The Cen
trail Federated Union of Brooklyn and
Queens. was the first TO file formal pro-
est. The executive board Of the Central
Federated Union. of Manhattan. fol-
lowed, and others announced their in
tention Of taking action later.
The strongest opposition is expected
from the United Hebrew Trades. The
proposed change, it is figured. would
affect the East Side more than any
other part Of the city, thousands Of the
tenement dwellers using as many as
three car routes 10 reach and return
from their places OF employment. Max
Pine. secretary Of the United Hebrew
Trades. said yesterday that his people
would use every possible means TO pre-
vent any change in existing conditions.
Protest from the East Side
81 shall protest TO the Public Ser
vice Commission in their name to-mor-
row." said he. "and be prepared TO back
up our protest with proof that the
present HNf-NfNN AHff - All iNt tfdlUN
will bear. The people cannot under
existing conditions pay more than they
60 now
Oscar s. Straus. chairman Of the
Public Service Commission. declared
that no changes IN existing conditions
would be permitted until after public
hearings are held in formal petitions
from the companies.
Before anything is done" said he,
at will be necessary for the companies
20 show what. If any. increase in rev
cnues should be allowed them. 1t may
be that conditions are such that they
should be allowed 20 charge more in
ono way or another for their services,
but the burden OF proof is on them.
"Thus far the matter is not formally
before US. At the meeting tomorrow,
requested by the companies, presume
they will present all their facts and
ask advice as 20 what the commission
will require in the way Of proof Of
needed additional revenues. Whether
or not that proof will include yalua-
tion. Of the properties cannot be said
AT this time"
Grand Opera Bargains