The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-20

preliminary report regarding the COM
pany's financial condition made last
week by Stone q webster, who said that
an eight cent fare was necessary. Ac-
cording to this report the operating
deficit would continue. with reductions
year by year, until 1924, when there
would be a surplus OF sSet,000. The ac-
cumulated deficits for the five years. be-
ginning this year, would amount to
about $15,000,000, to meet which the
company would have to borrow the
money unless additional revenue In
higher fares was provided. These figures
wore based on the rates OF wages
before the strike.
The strike award, estimated by Mr..
Quackenbush at about $4,000, 900 an
nually, would in the Ave yeads add
$4,000. 900 to the defcit, 20 that the
total amount to be borrowed would be
sac, 000, 900, and because Of the add
tionai wages that must be paid the time
at which the Interborough will begin to
make money instead Of lose IL on it's OPP
Grating contracts il postponed for many
years Thus the day when the city will
begin to share in the profts. after
swarm of prior determinations are
taken care Of, IS pushed far into the
future, as the company's experts view
the situation.
Presumably methods of financing the
wage increase were discussed yesterday
by the Interborough directors, who had
meeting of which no report was to be
obtained Among those present were
August Belmont, Il J. Bervind, Corne-
Illus Vanderbilt. T. De witt Cuyler and
De Lancey Nicoll.
Higher Fare Promise Denied.
A rumor that some sort of an assur-
anoe from Gov. Smith OF legislative
action for increased fares was CONTRA
dicted yesterday by Public Service Com
missioner Nixon. He said:
mo such agreement, either direct, In
direct or implied, was entered into by
Gov. Smith and the Interborough Off
Gals. On the contrary. nothing of the
cussed. I was present at the confer
ences and can answer authoritatively
for the Governor and myself"
Discussing the absence OF Mayor
Hylan from the conference that ended
the marlborough strike. Mr. Nixon
said
THE Mayor was preparing to main
as far as possible the acute incon-
venience and hardship due to the strike.
Had 1t been possible to utilize the great
powers OF his office he would have been
| called upon Immediately. However. with
an end in view and the factors through
which settlement could be effected in
hand. no time was to be lost or issue
! risked through needless conventionali-
ties"
Commissioner Nixon added:
The people of the city are tired of
strikes and most impatient with those
who bring them about.
ut has been shown that the men
could have had their requests consid-
cred Just as well while continuing work
| as by resort to a strike, which is hurt
| full TO all interests
The destructive effect of even the
most peaceful strike on utilities serv-
Ing the public is terrific.
II am now giving great attention TO
a recommendation to the Legislature
that will prevent future strikes on pub
lie utilities. and am studying the sub
| ject from all angles.
81 rust the commission may receive
| the fullest advice on the subject from
| the press and the public.
| 80 that advice may be directed to
| solution and not discussion of troubles,
| | state that the plan in my mind does
not contemplate enforced arbitration.
| But in the meantime II is my desire
to impress upon the minds Of leaders in
labor matters that while concessions
have been made to the very limit, de-
| mands based upon threats to strike will
| ALLEVIATE the sympathy of those who aim
to maintain service and can only react