New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
Staten Island Borough Hall
Closed to Public Service
Commissioners for Discus
sion of the Situation
Meeting Moved to City
Fare Increase Not Subject
for Farley, Is Reply to
President of Richmond

Borough President Van Name of
Richmond yesterday refused to permit
the use of the Borough Hall at ST..
George, Staten Island, for hearing
before Public Service Commissioner
Nixon on the proposed discontinuancc
of the Midland and Richmond trolley
lines. MIR. Nixon then changed the
time and the place Of hearing and set
it for Monday morning at 1O:30 in the
offices of the commission, 40 Lafayette
Street.
Many Staten islanders were indig-
nant when they heard of Mr.. Van
Names stand The hearing had been
tentatively arranged for Monday eve
ming at the Borough Hall to save them
tlc trouble Of travelling to Manhattan
They ridiculed the charge that the
meeting If held in st. George would
be packed" and grumbled at the
change, which will make them give up
a morning of their time and 20 over
to Manhattan if they wish to attend
the hearing.
Other members of the community,
however, upheld the action of Mr.. Van
Name. They said that it was arrogance
on the part of the Public Service Com
missioner to tell the Borough Pres-
dent that the meeting would be held
IN the Borough Hall. Besides, they
questioned the right of the Commits
sloner 20 discuss the increase in fare.
They plan to attend the hearing and
have it out there.
Presents Company's Views
After Commissioner Nixon received
Nh Van Names letter he issued the
following statement:
Several months ago I had a con-
terence, with representatives of the
bondholders of the Midland and Rich
mond trolley lines of Staten Island.
They said that they were losing money
and that service could not be con-
tlnued unless the lines could be made
to pay.
AT the only meeting have had with
the Mayor and other members Of the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment
| stated the facts as given to me. and
said that | had been told the companies
were prepared TO abandon the service.
The Mayor said that if it would cost
more than five cents for a ride he would
not consider taking over the lines.
WISH to avoid cessation of serv-
to continue running. / told them lust
what was charged about making costs
OF current high to cause deficits. They
called on me again Saturday and said
matters were such that they could not
wait any longer. However, they said
they would take no steps until might
hold hearing at which all facts for
and against the present operation could
be developed.
Knows Conditions There
II have lived on Staten Island and
have home there. | know conditions
on the island and appreciate how vital
this question is to those who must use
the tr0lleys in their daily travel.
There is nothing within my power
would not do to help them. My first
step was to call a hearing Naturally
assumed that the borough head would
cooperate"
Commissioner Nixon received the
secretary, George T. Egbert:
81 am directed by the Borough Presi-
dent to inform you that the Borough
Hall will not be opened at any time
for meeting on the trolley increase
fare question, because the meeting
would be packed, and would create an
artificial atmosphere. 1t would be no
proper way Of obtaining an expression
of opinion by the people.
This matter came to the attention
of the Borough President more than
a year ago, and canvass was made,
with the result that no sentiment was
found in favor of an increased fare"
Nixon Sends Reply
Mr.. Nixon sent the following reply
by messengers:
"No one asked you to open the Bor-
ough Hall for a meeting on trolley in
crease fares.
"A meeting was called to inquire into
conditions SO that calamity might be
avoided.
"My impression was that the con-
venience Of the people of Staten Island
would be better cared for by holding
this meeting in the Borough Hall.
ITO refuse the Borough Hall for such
purpose is, of course, within your juris
diction."
When Commissioner of Plant and
Structures Whalen was asked whether
he would run buses on Staten island in
the event OF a cessation of trolley op
eratlon he said that the situation
would have TO be carefully studied
before such operation could be au
thorized.