New-York tribune., 1919-07-08
Orders
Two-Cent Fee
For Transfers
Change to Affect SO of ll3
Points on Surface Lines
Here; To Take Effect Not
Later Than Next Monday

Two cents will be charged for trans
fers at ninety mine of the 113 transfer
points in Manhattan within a week.
An order to this effect will be issued
by Lewis Nixon, public service COM
missioner, in the next day or two and
will affect most of the so-called "green
car" surface lines.
This was announced at the Office Of
the Public Service Commission last
night at the close of the hearing on the
application of Job E. Hedges, receiver
for the New York Street Railways Com
pany, to charge cents for the trans.
fers.
The application was fought by the
city authorities, who made no attempt,
however, to put in testimony contra
dieting witnesses put on the stand by
the railroad company to show that it is
operating at loss.
Both sides are to agree on the form
Of order to be issued by the Commits
sioner.
later than Monday, and will be effec-
tive for a year.
To Increase Revenue $74S,000
Witnesses for the railroad company
testified that at 2 cents the revenue
from the transfers would net a little
more than S748,000, or just about
enough to pay the rentals on the leased
lines.
1t was further testified that higher
fare would have to be charged to en-
l. l. -
bonded indebtedness and create an
amortization fund for outstanding
mortgages.
A similar application to charge for
transfers has been made by the receiver
for the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany, and is now pending before Com
missioner Nixon.
When the case was closed last night
Comm ssioaer Nixon, who had been
hearing testimony from early in the
forenoon, said:
"In the interests of the travelling
public immediate action is, in my judg-
ment, imperative. Disintegration would
not only be a serious inconvenience to
the citizens, but might interfere with
a comprehensive readjustment of the
entire transit situation and would GER
tainly lead to heavier burdens upon
the people and serious deterioration of
the railway plants.
City May Reopen Matter
"The receiver who makes this applica-
ton is an arm Of the Federal court
He has appeared bfore this commission
stating ir substance that if some i'm
mediate relief be not granted he will
be compelled to disintegrate the lines
under his control. Such a course, if
possible, should be avoided Having
in mind the interests of the city and
its taxpayers, the commission has re-
solved to grant the receiver tempo
rarily measure Of the relief which he
seeks. 1t has determined to empower
him to charge cents for transfers at
points where he is legally entitled to
charge for them, This relief, as stated,
is temporary. The order will continue
in force for one year. That will enable
the city in the meantime to make the
necessary appraisals. If at the erd of
six months the city is not satisfied with
the appraisal of the receiver it is au-
thorized to apply to have this proceed
ing reopened.
"Ths hearing. therefore, is ad-
journed to July Z, 1920 This order is
made upon condition that the lines Of
this company are not disintegrated.
If they are. by order OF Judge Mayer,
this commission will make such further
orders as the situation demands.
Counsel for the respective parties
will agree upon the form Of the order"
Ignores Hylan's Attack
Commissioncr Nixon took no notice
Of the attack made upon certain un-
named public officials earlier in the
lay by Mayor Hylan, who said that he
would oppose all who were In favor Of
abolishing free transfers.
To-day Judge Mayer. in the Federal
Court, will decide On the application Of
the owners Of the Eighth and Ninth
mvcnue surface roads TO have their
Comtinued ON page sic