The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-16
SPEEDY ACTION SEEN
IN TRANSIT PROBLEM
Board Of Estimate Clears Way
by Taking Increased Fare
Issue From Committee.
HYLAN PLAN LOOMS NEAR
Municipal Ownership and Con-
troll by Trustees Are Policies
Being Considered.

on motion OF Comptroller Charles l.
Craig the Board OF Estimate yesterday
discharged its franchise committee from
further consideration of the various APP
pllcations from street railway companies
for permission TO charge an Increased
fare. Notice OF Mr.. Craigs resolution
was not on the weekly calendar OF the
board. and the matter came UP at The
close o. regular business. The motion
was adopted unanimously.
This action by the board removes all
committee obstacles and leaves the
board free TO take action toward meet
ing the serious traction situation de-
scribed in THE SUN on Thursday. 1t
clears the decks at once of. further COM
mittee consideration Of all the applica-
tions from surface operating companies
that have been made direct to the board
or have been referred by the Public Ser
vice Commission for action. and, In the
opinion OF persons familiar with the
situation. leaves the way open for i'm
mediate treatment Of the transit s!tua-
ton.
Although no explanation OF the Comp
troller's motion was offered, and no de-
bate followed its submission, 1t was re-
earded as indicating n determination on
the part OF the city authorities to take
quick action toward meeting a situation
that daily is becoming more acute.
Mayor Considers Boston Plan.
THE Sun told on Thursday of the
likelihood OF a receiverohip for the New
York Railways and the consequent dis
migration of the system. unless some
method could be found by which the
company might derive additional rev.
enue from operation. 1t also was pointed
out that one remedy under consideration
by Mayor Hylan and his associates on
the Board Of Estimate was the adoption
OF plan with regard TO the city's sur
face lines similar to that in effect in re-
gard to the Boston elevated system.
The adoption Of such a plan, II was
shown, besides meeting the financial re-
quirements Of the situation would be
step toward the contamination Of Mayor
Hylan'S municipal ownership policies. In
that II would give at least municipal
control of operation OF the surface lines
for period OF years OF until such time
as operating conditions again became
normal
One plan 1t IL believed Mayor Hylan
ard other city officials are considering,
which Is known TO be acceptable to the
New York Railways Company. includes
appointment OF a board OF trustees to
increased fare on all transit lines, sub
way. surface and elevated, and tho fur
nishing by the railway company Of
guarantees that funds accruins above
operating costs and a fair return shall
be held intact for future disposition.
Need for Uniform Rate.
The necessity Of uniform rate on
all lines makes 1t practical certainty
| that any increase allowed the surface
companies will be reflected by an In
crease in the elevated and subway fares.
The necessity for an Increase Of revenue
on these lines II the city Is not to meet
a growing deficit from its share OF the
operation after the Interborough Rapid
Transit Company's preferential has been
paid. as well as the desire OF Mayor
Hylan 10 accomplish something toward
municipal ownership. makes Il Likely,
in the opinion Of transportation officials.
that no effort to meet the situation
with regard to the surface lines will
be made by making a charge for trans
fers or by any similar expediert.
Offi-ials discussing the situation. In
the light of the Board OF Estimates
action. recalled n speech by Mayor
Hylan on June IL at Newblrgh. hetore
the Conference of Mayors Of New York
State, in which he said:
AT the last municipal election In the
city Of New York the question OF
municipal ownership was the paramount
issue Of the campaign. II was the i'm
portant plank in the platform OF the
Democratic party. The overwhelming
vote the Democratic candidates received
must tie considered as ratIficati ton OF
| the plan to install municipal ownership
in our city as expeditiously as possible.
The present administration o. the
city OF New York considers itself
obligated to respect the sentiment OF
the people as registered at the polls
on election day. And ! say 10 you that
| the demand of the people, which was
| recognized In the conservative State OF
! Massachusetts. will be recognized In the
State OF New YorR and throughout the
| rest OF our country. for that demand
| is growing In volume day by day"