New-York tribune., 1919-10-07

the commissions oticcs at 30 Lafay-
ette Street were Frank Hcdley, vice
president and general manager Of the
the lnterborough's counsel; JOB +.
Hedges, receiver for the New York
Railways Company; Colonel Timothy S.
| Williams, former president of the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company;
w. o. Wood, president and general
manager Of the New York and Queens
County Company; James X. Sheffield,
president of the Interhorough Con-
solidatcd Company, and Henry L.
Stimson, counsel for Receiver Hedges.
Commissioner Nixon proposed that
three committees unihcation, or
differentials and guaranteed payments,
and on final contracts-bc formed. He
suggested that the committee be made
up as folows:
The Chief Committees
nfcation-Rapid transit construc
tion commissioner, n representative of
the franchise bureau Of the city, and
for each particular company repre-
sentative of its receiver and also an
executive officer of the company in
vClved.
Difrerontials-Ra Rapid transit commits
sioner representatives Of the INTERIOR
ough and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
as their companies are considered, and
third member selected by the other
two.
Final contracts-Transit construc-
tion commissioner, Controller, repre-
sentative Of each company or system.
II nc city refuses 10 participate in the
confarence a substitute tor the Con-
troller is to be chosen by the New York
City Chamber OF Commerce, Board Of
Trade and Transportation, Merchants
Association and the chambers Of com
= merce of Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and
Richmond.
"The traction companies have faced
deterioration and been forced into
bankruptcy" Commissioner Nixon told
the company heads in presenting his
plan. at is only question Of short
time when the greatest of the system
will join the others under receiver
ship.
"Whatever may have been the dead
lock caused by this effort to secure
such change in the dual contracts as
would establish continuance of a ser
vice safe, speedy and subject to the
increasing bettorment that public ne
ccssity must demand, certainly no eff
forts in cooperation have attempted
to break it.
No Answer From the Mayor
"A letter was written to the Mayor,
earnestly requesting him to call con-
ference. No answer was made to TINS
communication. The Corporation Coun-
sci at hearing last week called at
tention to the fact that no offer had
been made by the companies 20 give
up permanent franchises. The COM
punics were told that in any adjust
mcnt they must be prepared to make
drastic,m conCcSslOns.
"No one can deny that the people of
the city, when these contracts were
executed, were led to believe that they
would secure permanent 5-cent fares,
and in time universal free transfers.
At the time they were made this was
the best known plan for control OF
rates. Comprehensive plans for regu-
lation have been worked out since,
but the rate restriction still stands.
Commissioner Nixon proposed that
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company
should become a street railroad corpo-
ration, and the lnterborough Consoli-
dated be abolished unless it, too, could
be converted into a street railroad
corporation.
When Commissioner Nixon comment
ed on the absence of city officials at
the conference John II. Delaney, Transit
Commissioner, rose to their defence,
stating that the members Of the Board
of Estimate were tied up with budget
work. A letter from Controller Craig,
making the same point, was received,
and the conference was then adjourned
to October 15
Executive sessions were begun first,
however. and it was learned that steps
had been taken toward making up the
personnel Of committees like those
suggested by Mr.. Nixon. These, it is
presumed, will report, ready to tackle
the job, Mt the next general confer
cncc next week.
Commissioner Nixon last night is-
sued a statement, summing up the re-
suits Of tho days work:
II am sorry that | did not take
into account tho budget demands upon
tho time Of the members Of the Board
Of Estimate ard Apportionment," said
Nixon. "Since this has been put for-