New-York tribune., 1919-12-02
Garrison Offers
TO Meet Hylan in
Traction Inquiry
Mayor Consults Board of
Estimate and for First
Time Intimates He Nav
Consent to Conference

Lindley M. Garrison, receiver Of the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company,
offered yesterday in letter to Mayor
Hylan to meet the Mayor and other
city representatives In conference
designed to work out a plan for tho
solution of the transit situation. The
Mayor replied Immediately, saying he
was referring the matter to the Board
Of Estimate. Garrison's offer probably
will be taken up at the next meeting
of the board, on Friday.
Judge Garrison's letter, which he
sent by messenger to the City Hall,
was in answer to statement Of the
Mayor published in yesterdays news
papers. In this statement the Mayor
said he could not allow an increase
of fare unless all the voters of the
city ordered him to do so through
the expression of their opinions.
Garrsons letter read:
my dear Mr.. Mayor am very much
gratitied and interested in your state
ment appearing in this mornings
papers.
CAS- you so we'll state, you, as Mayor
of the city, are a trustee with diff
cult and important duties in the
premises. !, as q receiver am also a
trustee with equally difficult and i'm
portant duties. Tho situation as YOU
have stated, is one which must be
considered in all Of its aspects before
any intelligent understanding can pos
slbly be reached.' 1t is that considera-
tlon which | have been and am en-
deavorlng to bring about, and have
always desired to obtain and in that
effort / have had the constant SUPPORT
Of the court
Sees No Way to Retrench
You ask what suggestions or rec
concentrations | have to make. You
state you failed to hear any express
slons leading to any policy of rctrcnch-
ment in the interest of the public In
SO Tar as retrenchment is concerned. it
is impossible, in view of the increased
cost OF labor and materials, to furnish
anything like adequate service and at
the same time retrench in the sense of
spending less money. In fact we are
called upon to spend more and more
money all the time. In so far as re-
trenchmeat of unnecessary expcndi-
lures IS Concerned, we have reached the
limit, so far as those who have practi-
cal knowledge of the situation are able
to suggest economies consistent with
adequate service
In respect of suggestions and rec
ommen endations, suggest &Ad recon-
mend that you, and whoever is asso-
clated with you in representing the
pubic authorities, should get together
with me, representing the court, hav-
ing this property in charge, with a
view to working out a plan fair to the
general public and to those who have
their money invested in the companies
operating the Brooklyn transit system
1T is perfec1ly obvious that tempo
rary rellef IS imperative, and it seems
to me equally obvious that the time
was never so NroDitious as now for
permanent settlement upon proper
basis.
The sentiment Of your latest inter
view inspires hope for a proner settle
ment; and the court. whom ] represent.
ana desire to meet you in that spirit
All Records Open
"Now, as always. every record, ac
count OF other piece Of information in
my possession and under my control
IS open to the public authorities, and
sha!l be glad to cooperate with voI
IN every way, so that We may. in the
light OF full Information and in tho
proper spirit, reach d settlement f9ir
to all
Hoping to hear from you in the
near future, with a view 20 getting to-
gether on tnis proposition, | sm as
alwaNs sincerely yonrs,
"llNDLEY NJ. GARRISON. Receiver"
The Mayors answer to Garrison is
the first indication that he might con
sldor.. an offer to get togethcr' with
traction receivers or personalities of
the companies. Heretofore he has re-
fused such offers fatty, or has igl ored
;hcm as coming from ths "traction
ring The Mayors; arswer read:
"l our letter Of December /, purpopt,.
ing 70 be an answer to my statement
(Which appeared in the press cf Dccem-
Der ]. received, and is referred to the
Board of Estimate and Appor,ionment
Tor proper reference and disposition"