New-York tribune., 1918-08-02

the great engineering feat which had
been consummated by the opening OF
the new lines. He said that although
he had opposed some things that had
been done in connection with the con-
struction of the new subways, he was
glad to be the chief magistrate OF the
city at time when one of the most
important sections of the new transit
lines was opened up.
People Deserve New Service
"I am sure the people Of the city
will be glad to know tomorrow that
the service on both the West Side and
East Side subways has become fact"
said the Mayor. 81 have opposed from
time to time some of the things that
have been done in connection with sub
way construction. l opposed the pres
ent dual subway contracts because
believed they would not be the best
thing for the people of the city, but
others in control thought differently,
and they prevailed.
az have sometimes thought that the
transit corporations have been short
sighted. The people put their money
in the construction of these subways,
and they are entitled to the best pos
| SlDIe service. ain Sldu, iioWS'cA' w
be the chief magistrate of the city at
time when this most important link
in the new transit system is opened
up"
Commissioner Hubbell introduced
former Chairman Straus as "the wiz
ard of conciliators." Mr.. Straus said
the "H" did not stand for what some
people might believe it to be-wher
the word was not spelled out--but that
it had been so called because 1t was
opened in the administration OF Mayor
Hylan.
The former chairman said there was
time when the Public Service Com
mission and the city administration did
not get along very we'll, but he had had
talk with the Mayor, and the latter
agreed with him that such a situation
should not exist-and the trouble
ended. He said it was due in large
measure to the change of front of the
Mayor. and the hearty cooperation OF
the city officials with the commission
that the new lines were finished and
opened at this time. Mr.. Straus then
| took up the question of the 6-cent fare
and discussed it with all seriousness,
as probable war necessity.
Prediction by Shonts
President Shonts followed Mr.. Straus
| NJ
expected in 1928, the speaker said:
"This day marks most important
chapter in the marvellous story Of New
York City's rapid transit. But, much as
has been accomplished and stupendous
as are the figures by which we attempt
to tell the story of New York's trav-
ellng hosts, the end of our undertak-
ing is not even in sight.
an ten years there is every reason
to believe the city will have increased
to point which will make the traffic
1918. History will repeat itself. Fol
lowing every increase of transit facil-
tiles in New York has come added pop
ulation and greater congestion. In
proved facilities are one of the causes
Of the city's added growth. If popu
lation stood still we could catch up tc
it's demands. But it does not stant
still"
In regard to increased fares Mr.
I Shonts said:
"But the war has changed all these
calculations. In place Of earning the
returns indicated large deficits have
arisen, and larger ones are in sight
How shall this situation be met? We
contend that it is an emergency and
should be treated as an emergency and
not by a method which will leave a
| peTIndHeHC eHeCL upon business, upon
consequent movement of population
and upon property.
Two Methods Presented
"These deficits can be met in only
one Of two ways-either by higher
, fare, throwing the burden upon the
people who actually get the benefit Of
the increased service, or by taxation
which will fall upon the already over
burdened real estate owners, which
will result in increased rents, increased
grocers' bills and increased cost o
living generally to all the people who
work and spend their incomes in New
York. Whereas if it is met by higher
! fares not only would it fall upol
those citizens of New York who re.
ceive the benefit of the service, but
also upon 100000 daily visitors to the
city, who pay 100000 fares day an,
who do not live in New York and dc
not help pay her taxes.
$50 while the proposition of in
creased fares in the city aroused op-
position at first, cannot help but be-
) lieve that serious thought will con.
vince every unprejudiced student OF
the question it is fundamental
better for the interests of the city thai
the situation which now confronts us
and which is of very serious anc
critical nature, should be met by in
creased fares rather than bv taxation ,