New-York tribune., 1919-12-30
Craig Offers
Plan for City
Owned Lines
Continued from page 1

either from income or taxation. We
believe the lines coud be so run they
would be self supporting. If one line
should have deficit and another show
q profit the plan would be to use the
profit for the benefit of the unprofita BILE
line. don't know whether the city
could operate as cheaply as the COM
panies. and the question of fare is a
matter 10 be decided later"
Differs From Delaney Action
The Comptroller said his plan diff
tered from that of Commissioner De-
laney although it has some essential
similarities. Delaney's plan entails
transfer to the city of all titles held
by the companies in railroad property,
guaranteed payment by the city of q
reasonable rate of interest on fair ap-
pralSals and the interest aside OF
per cent for the purchase of the prop
critics at the expiration Of thirty eight
years. The plans agree on the main
point Of requiring no city expenditure
in he taking over OF the lines
In speaking of the resolution to be
adopted to-day. Mr.. Craig said:
The purpose Of this investigation Is
to ascertain the facts upon which the
turmoil now existing in the traction
situation can be ended. The people
must have adequate and proper transit
facilities. If the companies are unable
to give 1t to them, the Board of Esti-
mate viii fnd way to provide it.
"One of the consequences OF this in
vestigation Will. in all probability, show
that the traction interests, under the
ropagauda they have been conducting
for months, have been endeavorng TO
put life into many lifeless securities
which were fabricated and sold TO the
public the last few years upon eXag-
gorated expectations and representa-
lions Of profits TO be earned-profits
representing nothing but the hopes Of
promoters and the gullibility of pur-
ohasers.
B. r. T. May Be First
The Comptroller said he believed that
under the nome role act OF 1918 the
city has the power to issue subpnnas
and 10 compel the production and eX-
animation OF books and such other doc
uments as may be required. The Brook
lyn Rapid Transit Company, it is be-
lieved, VIII be the first company inves-
tigatcd.
Oaly Mayor Hylan and Comptroller
Craig. Of the Board Of Estimate, could
be induced to make any comment
however brief. on Judge Mayors
Recommendations, which lie asked to
be submitted to the board
"Why doesn' Judge Mayer resign :?
He then could devote all of his time
to the transit sitdation,' said the
Mayor.
"Don't ask me-" Craig replied,
laughing.
Public Service Commissioner Nixon
~ have repeatedly tried to bring
about "a adjustment along the lines
mentioned by Judge Mayer. The con-
ferences held at the commissions Of
fees between public officials and rep
resentatives Of the traction companies
,serc aimed to effect a settlement II
this kind. Invitations to attend the
conferences were sent to Mayor Hylan
and other members OF the Board Of
Estimate. but they didn't accept them y
Corporation Counsel William 7.
Burr said: II have always favored
the plan calling for the situation to
be laid before the Board of Estimate
which alone OF public bodies has the
power to act for the public. This S
The first concrete case know Of where
a definite proposition along this lire
is suggested"
H. Hobart Porter vice president and
general manager Of the Brooklyn City
Railroad Company, said the plan ap-
peared 10 offer an excellent basis for
negotiation. He said the interest Of
the public ultimately would require
that all the surface lines in Brooklyn
be operated as a unit.
Acting on Judge Mayors Instructions
counsel for Llndley NJ. Garrison. re-
ceivor of the B. X. T.. yesterday set
about preparing an application to the
Board Of Estimate for the temporary
increase i'm fares to 8 cents Repre-
sentatives Of the other companies, it
was said. are preparing similar pet-
tlons which will probably be pre-
scented to the new board when Fiorello
La Guardia, President of the Board of
Aldermen. and Henry Fl. Curran, Man
haitian Borough President, take their
seats.