New-York tribune., 1918-05-11
Straus Says Hylan
Is Misinforned or
Misleading Public
He Makes Sharp Denial Of
Charge of 100000 Loss
on Extension

"Your question would seem to ind'-
cate either that you are mlsinformed OF
that with unreliable data you are mis-
informing the public"
That was the charge made yesterday
by Oscar S. Straus, chairman of the
Public Service Commission, IN answer
to Mayor Hylan's recent letter to Mr..
Straus inquiring "why one thousand
feet of overhead subway structure OF
the White Plains Avenue extension.
costing the city in the neighborhood OF
100000, is being taken down, and who
is responsible for the engineering bum
der'"
"1'he clause of your letter above re-
ferred to- wrote Chairman Straus,
would seem to have the purpose Of
leading the public to believe that on &C
count CT the blunders Of engineers of
the commission construction work on
the White Plains extension had to be
pulled down at q loss to the city of
100000. Had you written me for the
facts in advance of making an accusa-
tion without merit l could have saved
you from committing yourself to this
error in giving to the press this mis-
leading information.
Explains Extension Policy
Chairman Straus explained that it
proved to have been q wise policy to
construct the White Plains extension as
quickly as possible, saving the city sew
eral hundred thousand dollars, even
though it became necessary to make
notifications in the structure when the
car yards, subsequently located near
139th Street, had to be constructed.
"For your information let me state, y
said the chairman, "the portion of the
structure which is being taken down
on the White Plains Road did not
cost 100000, but only about $4,000,
and, furthermore, 80 per cent of the
material taken down is to be erected
again at cost for some changes and
such reerection, including wastage. of
about S11 900. This is being done to
facilitate the traffic on that line and
to eliminate danger to the life of the
travellers thereon had the crossing
been at grade In order to avoid this
it was decided to make a jump cross
ing To attain this the cost will not
exceed s11 600, instead of 100000, as
you have stated.
Claims S439,0 Saving
"Had the commission deferred the
which this yard connects until after
the yard site had been obtained, this
portion of the elevated structure, it
is estimated. by reason of the subse-
quent increased price of labor and
material, would AVE cost the city
some S4500G0 more than it has cost
SO you see that if this construction
had been, as you intimate, 'blunder
of the engineers that 'blunder,' in
stead of costing the city 100000, has
saved the city about $439, 9,000."
Chairman Straus asserted that the
Mayor could not hold the commission
responsible for the tax rate "increas-
ing by leaps and bounds" as the Mayor
said in his letter, and suggested that
the Mayor could reduce the cost Of his
administration if he would approve
without further delay several transit
matters that have been pending before
the Board of Estimate for some time.
"You will always find me ready, as
stated to you shortly after you as
sumed Office" said Chairman Straus
"to cooperate in every proper way for
the best interests of the people, in
whose welfare | am as deeply con-
cerned as you claim to be-