New-York tribune., 1919-01-11

see II you can't shut his mouth if he
tries TO say anything else"
Tribute to Roosevelt
before the meeting started, presj-
cent Bowling, of Manhattan intro
uuced a resolution expressing the re-
gret OF the board over the death Of
Colonel Roosevelt, and Il rising vota
IN henor of his memory was taken. the
spectators IN the room joining in the
tribute. i" '"e
The report of the committee Of the
Whoie on the lnterborough petition
pointed out that the dual subway con
rae proVlaed iive-cent fare, and de
nled the assertion that the Citv of
New York guarantees a return to +ba
interoorough which, in any case of de-
nclency from earnings, must be made
good by the city" The statement aIso
denied "that the lnterborough has
something akin to a mortgage unon
the subway system"
Fare Raise by |. K. I. Opposed
After declaring that the public could
not be taxed to make good Interior
ough losses, the statement continued:
The only guarantee the Inter
borough has is the income from the
n
ment belong 10 the City of New York
free and clear The city is entitled to
have the lnterborough operate the en-
tire system for forty-nine wears at a
tive-cent fare and no more. The whole
investment of the Interborough Sc
cures this obligation. The State Con-
stitution prohibits the municipal au-
thorlties from granting to the Inter
borough or any other contractor any
increased compensation. Article III
Section 28, provides as follows:
The Legislature shall not, nor shall
the Common Council, nor any board of
supervisors. grant any extra compeu-
sation TO any public officer, servant,
agent or contractor
Contract Obligation Cited
The contract with the CITY is the
ioundation upon which the Inter
oorough's SECURITIES rest. 1t is pro-
posed. however that the COMPENSATION
OF the lnterborough be increased so
per cent; tnat is. that it be permitted
to receive an eight-cent fare instead
OF a tive-cent fare as provided in the
contract In other words, the munici-
pal authorities are asked to sanction an
arrangement whereby every fare payer
IS taxed three cents to prevent any
loss whatever falling upon Inter
borough security holders by reason of
deficiency of income due to the war
or other causes.
There appears to be no reason why
the burdens caused by the war or
otherwise should thus be shifted from
the holders of lnterborough securities
to the travelling public. There Is no
pretence that the income from s.
cent fare is not sufficient to meet
all operating or other current ex-
whether the lnterborough's security
holders shall receive income not
earned or whether they shall wait for
1t according to the terms of their in
vestment. Against such a proposition
stand the contract obligations and the
strongest principles of justice and
equity.
Fare Raise by City Defended
"I he terms of the present contract
were eXacted from the municipal au-
any relief from the disgraceful and
intolerable congestion under which the
original subway lines were operated
Every page of the contract testities to
the grip in which the city was held by
a power which would relinquish moth
ing except for further gain. The de-
cency and self-respect of its citizens
demanded relief, and the municipal
authorities agreed to pay the price
exacted. They have paid the price.
but the public has not obtained the
relief 1t may be that it is not within
the power of private operator to
render the service which the self-re
spect of the community imperatively
requires.
IF the contract is as improbable
as claimed by the Interborough, it is
to the interest of the public that it be
terminated and a new arrangement
made whereby adequate and proper ser
vice may be assured to the public and
the cost OF that service borne by those
who enjoy its benefits"
The Interborough officials issued no
statement yesterday, after their hopes
Of increased fares had been given a
death blow; but there was unusual
activity d the corporation Offices 165
Broadway Conferences were in prog
ress all afternoon, the officials being
too busy to see newspaper men.
The only word from the Interborough
was in the form of d pamphlet, the
title of which read. public Opinion
on the Traction Problem, as Reflected
in Leading Editorials" 1t contained
excerpts from newspaper editorials at
tacking the city's stand on the fare
question, and three letters of President
Shonts, already published. to the Board
OF Estimate, the Public Service Com
mission and civic organizations.