New-York tribune., 1918-08-08
Operations and Finances
To Be Thoroughly
Gone Into
May Affect F are s
Some Lines May Be Discon-
t1nued During the Period
Of the War

general condition of street surface rail
road corporations operating cars within
the City of New York Representatives
from practically every surface line in
the city attended the hearing. The
commission intends to go over the
whole field Of surface line service, with
a view to determine what lines are now
supplying inadequate service and what,
II any. surface lines can be discon-
tinued during the period of the war
without serious inconvenience to the
pubic.
ne companies were also asked to
prepare data on the basis of adequate
service, giving the estimated costs of
maintenance and operation by months
from August 1. 1918, to August l. 1919.
While nothing was said IL announcing
the purposes of the investigation in
regard to increased fares, the inquiry
may include this subject
Explains Object of Hearing
Chairman Charles Bukley Hubben,
of the commissi ion, in opening the hear
ing said that its object was to develop
what may be necessary IN order to put
the commission in possession of data
that will enable it to discharge its OBJ
legations, as it conceives them TO be at
this time. with reference to the sur
tace lines.
Commissioner Charles S. Hervey,
upon whose motion the investigation
was ordered, suggested the appoint
ment of conference committee on
service, to report at the next hearing,
consisting Of one member each from
the New York Railways Company, the
Third Avenue Railway system, the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit surface lines,
the Queens Borough surface lines and
the Richmond Borough surface lines,
together with representative each
from the Transit Bureau. the Bureau
of Electrical Equipment, the Bureau Of
Statistics and Accounts, the transit di-
vision of the secretary's office and the
law department Of the commission.
Outlines Reports Wanted
The outline of the report Of such
committee was suggested as follows:
a. What lines largely used by the
public are now supplying inadequate
service, and what additional service
thereon is necessary to meet the public
need?
% What, if any, surface lines in
the city can be discontinued during the
period Of the war without serious in
convenience to the public?
3. Where service cannot be discon-
tinEed, what reduction in non-rush
hour service can be made?
"a. If any discontinuance of service
or reduction IN service is recommended,
what will be the annual or monthly
saving thereby, expressed in quantity
Of material or labor and in money:
aA 4
the release of labor to other lines;
g in the release of cars to other
lines; d in the general overhead Of
operation and in the maintenance of
property in the streets; (e) in the re-
lease Of property which can be taken
wholly out Of service.
CAS- the basis for any discontinuance
or reduction in service it it sug-
gested that weight be given to the fol
lowing conditions:
81. Where lines, either of the same
system or of competing systems, par
allel other lines a short distance away,
or where one line can be used reason
ably to meet the service now per-
formed by two or more.
"2. Where surface lines run parallel
on nearby streets, or are located under
or over an existing rapid transit line.
SO. Where lines now accommodate a
COulpdFd livery SWdIl percentage Oh lnc
public, and where this service, trans
ferred to congested lines. would give
relief and service to large number Of
patrons; except that where, in sub
urban localities. the discontinuance of
line would deprive the locality of It's
only service such a line should not be
discontinued
Full Information Wanted
"In reporting on any of these pro
posed discontinuances or reductions Of
service the committee should furnish
full inform nation as to the use Of these
lines, the number Of passengers car
rled, the number of cars operated, the
passenger revenue and operating costs,
etc, for a full year preceding the list
Of July, 1918.
with respect to statistical data re-
0uired by the commission in this hear
ing, the companies are rcQueste>. to
prepare for submission at the next ses-
sion, for all property under their juris-
dlction IN public use. either owned or
leased. full information for each year
Of the period beginning July /, 1909.
and ending June 80, 1918, .nciuding the
following:
"lD Revenues and expenses, includ-
ing taxes; CD disbursements for inter
est, dividends or rentals; (3) value OF
property IN DuDllc use, OWNeQ or rentcC,
as reported by the companies to th,
departments of taxation; A amortiza-
tlon or depreciation reserves.
All Companies Represented
The list of companies and their rnp-
reaentatives present at The opening
hearing follows
New York Railways Company-James
L. Quackenbush, general attorney;
Frank Hcdley, vice president and gen
eral manager; Henry j. Smith, of coun-
sci.
Second Avenue Railway Company
+. Peterson, of Davies, Auerbach G. Cor
nell, of counsel.
Richmond Light and Railroad Com
pany and Staten Island Midland Rail
way Company f. II. lnnes, Of Eadio
Innis & Walser, of counsel.
Third Avenue Railway Company-E
A. Maher, jr., vice president and CEN
eral manager; Alfred p Dawson, or
counsel.
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Companies
George d. Yeomans, general counsel;
Colonel Timothy S. Williams. prssi
dent j. j. Dem psey, wee president.
New York & Queens County Railway
Company and Long Island Electric
Railroad Company W. O. Wood. presi-
dent and general manager.
New York d. Long Island Traction
Company-W. o. Wood, vice president
end general manager; A. &. Peacock,
Of counsel.