The sun., 1919-10-15
NIXON SEES CHANCE
FOR FARE INCREASE
Companies May Relinquish
Some Special Privileges
in Compromise.
TRACTION PLEA HEARD
Unless Relief Comes /. r. L,
VIII Go Into Receivership
Soon, Says Commissioner.

A hint-not broad or well defined. but
nevertheless a hint--that some sort OF
compromise between the traction COM
panies and the city might be reached
whereby the companies would relinduish
some Of their special privileges In return
for an increased fare was made by Pub
lie Service Commissioner Lewis Nixon
in an address yesterday before the New
York Electrical League at the organiza-
tons monthly luncheon at the McAlpin
Commissioner Nixon was referring 10
the recent conferences between repre-
sentatives of the traction companies and
the commission and which the city au-
thorities have refused to attend. Com
missioner Nixon told the members of the
league that before calling the conference
he told the traction men that they must
come prepared to make very drastic
concessions"
mo member of the city administra-
ton came" Commissioner Nixon added.
But am glad to be able to say that we
have made very hopeful progress.
The Commissioner added not single
protest against the 2 cent transfer
charge on the surface lines had been
received from persons who regard the
situation from a sober, common sense
viewpoint.
James NJ. wakeman. president OF the
Electrical League, introduced Mr.. Nixon
as "a man who is standing steadfastiy
against political Bolshevism." Mr.. Nixon
began:
sCertain slight differences of opinion
exist between myself and City Hail. IL
m nnRpndered
three weeks after l took Office, when in
the course of an address before the
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce / said
the bankruptcies of traction companies
should cease. / still think so.
Plea for More Revenues.
1T has been pretty well established
that in the past few years the purchas-
ing power of the dollar has fallen. SO
has the purchasing power of the nickel.
The transportation companies must have
more revenue or reduce the quality of
the service, and we have in New York
the best transportation service on the
face of the earth. The question is not
one of reducing that efficiency, but OF
increasing It, Imagine. If you can. a ten
minute Roadway between trains In the
subway during the rush hours.
at is true that in past years corrup-
ton may have existed between the rac-
tion interests and politicians. But why
should the sins of past generations be
inflicted upon the innocent travellers OF
to-day? 1t is true the companies did
make contracts with the city on the
basis of a five cent fare. and that they
did pay big dividends. But 1t Is also
true that they are not receiving any
money in dividends now"
Commissioner Nixon then announced
that very hopeful progress had been
made In the conference that had been
called between the traction men and rep
resentatives of the commission to the end
OF bringing some sort of order out of the
existing chaos.
''The question now" he went on, has
come to such a point that something
must be done. Unless something is done
by the end of the year the marlborough
Rapid Transit Company will follow the
other lines into a receivership. And that
Is intolerable.
80 recently l took 1t upon myself
although perhaps straining my duties
somewhat--to call a conference of the
railroad men. I also invited the MEM
bers OF the city administration. None
came. But I told the railroad men be-
fore they came that they must be pre-
pared to make drastic concessions in re-
turn for an increased fare ! am glad
10 be able to report that we have made
very hopeful progress.
ct never have believed in perpetual
franchises. But neither do believe that
IL they are given up these lines should be
crushed out Of existence
Mr.. Nixon repeated his previous state
ment that he believed the solution of the
problem lay IN the application of a fiexi.
BILE fare. The zoning system he believed
is Impractical In New York city. because
much of the city's growth and Industrial
expansion was effected on the principle
of a universal transit fare. He thought
that within few years through the ap.
plication of the flexible fare idea, based
on the cost Of operation. the fare might
eventually be reduced below the present
nve cent standard.
To Maintain Credit of City.
In any event, the Commissioner re.
minded his hearers. the city's credit mus
be maintained and that cannot be done
he said, IL threats of bankruptcy of tn,
traction lines are to continuous threaten
the people.
Earlier in the day Commissioner Nixor
held a hearing on the application of tn,
marlborough Rapid Transit Compan,
and the New York City Interborougi
Railway Company-the latter a part O
the Third avenue surface system-t,
cease the Issue OF three cent transfers be
tween the lines of the Third avenue sys
tenn in outlying sections of The Bron,
and the rapid transit lines of the Inter
borough. The three cent transfer charg,
is accepted by each company under re
ctprocal agreement which both now seel
to abrogate.
Arthur G.. Peacock of counsel for tn
marlborough contended that since tn
establishment of the rapid transit line
passengers from the Third avenue sur
face system frequently rode as far a.
six miles on the transfer, which meant 4
net fare OF only four cents for that line
the gross eight cent fare being, under tn
terms of the agreement divided equall,
between the two companies Mr. Peacocl
argued that because OF the deficits result
ing from the present Ave cent fare tn
companies were not willing TO contInu
such voluntary service for four cents. II
asked for permission to end the arrange
mont without the statutory thirty day
notice.
The hearing was adjourned until Fri
day In order to give Assistant Corpora
ton Counsel Joseph A. Devery, who on
posed the application. time to examin
the companies annual reports to deter
mine whether the proposition actual
was a losing one.
City College Exerts Discipline.
All activities between the freshman
and sophomore classes at City Colleg
have been ordered discontinued by Dea-
Il Ilra. -