The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-03
I. r. T. Official Says Subway
and Surface Lines Should
Be Reorganized.
TWO RECEIvERsHIPs NEAR
Mayor Has Typewriter Tilt
With Nixon on Traction
Situation.

be under one operating organization ana
all the surface lines under another OPP
Grating organization. osf
It was announced that two more COM
panies operating surface cars would so
into the hands OF receivers within short
time.
In regard to the invitation to him and
the other members of the Board OF Esti-
mate that they join in conference with
The Public Service Commission and tran
ait officials in an effort to find a solution
Of the transit muddle Mayor Hylan sent
q sarcastic letter to Commissioner Nixon
indicating that he was not in sympathy
with the idea. He referred the invita-
ton to the Board of Estimate.
Commissioner Nixon replied in vein
even more biting than that of the Mayor,
saying he expected to have replies from
the other members of the Board of Esti-
mate more in keeping with the respon-
abilities of their office.
General Manager Hedley. at hearing
before the Public Service Commission, de-
elared that the equipment OF the New
York Railways and other surface lines
In the city was obsolete, but added that
they did not have SO much as a five cent
fare to use In improvements
1t is understood that the attitude taken
by the Mayor Is that he wishes the tran
sit companies to make some concrete
20 do in the way of concessions in re-
turn for an increased fare before the
Board of Estimate goes into conference
with them. His friends say that he in
bands to stand firmly on this proposition.
Believes I'm Monopoly.
The declarations of General Manager
Medley suggesting consolidation were
brought out at a hearing on an order of
he ENtkIi c. u.
Installation Of interlocking doors and
steps on the cars of the New York Rail-
ways Deputy Commissioner Glennon
baked whether he believed in a single
Operating company for all lines or in
keparate operation of various units.
4 Traction service, he declared, should
De monopoly. just like telephone SER
vice; that there should be one operating
Organization for all the rapid transit
pines and another for all the surface
1ines.
In reply to further questions, Mr.
Hedley said he would not object to hav-
bnG both organizations under one big
holding company.
! 1t was ridiculous. Mr.. Hedley said. to
think of the city's putting 5000. 100000
tpr $3.50. 900, 900 into transit lines out of
(which It could never get penny's return
pn a i've cent fare.
I The two companies that are headed for
b receivers hands are the New York and
Eong Island Electric Company and the
New York and Long Island Traction
company. The former operates cars
from Jamaica to Far Rockaway and
from the Brooklyn borough line 10 Bel
snont Park The latter runs from the
Brooklyn borough line to Jamaica.
w. o. Wood. who is vice-president and
general manager Of both lines. announced
that the New York and Long Island
Electric Company would go into the
4hands of a receiver next week, that pa
pers were already being drawn up. The
New York and Long Island Traction
company receivership would follow be-
fore the end of next month he declared
The companies were out of funds, they
swere not able to pay for power or other
Supplies and the receiverships were in
Eevitable. Mr.. Wood added by way Of ex-
splanation.
Hy1Rn's Letter to Nixon.
After saying that the invitation to a
conference had been referred to the
Board of Estimate Mayor Hylan wrote
ITO Commissioner Nixon:
"Your appearance as Public Service
commissioner along with the traction in
tterests before the Court of Appeals in
Sasking the court to reverse itself in the
fright to raise fares which would tax
100000 riders in the city of New York
from to 10 cents per day amounting to
1880. 900 daily and over 100000, 600
yearly, is the boldest action ever taken
sby a public official who is receiving
hsalary out Of the pockets of the people.
Now, as a public official you are
making an application as your letter
sshows which should be made by the
Ill
sseems to me II would be more becoming
for you TO let the traction interests make
stheir application to the Board of Esti
innate and Apportionment for any RELIEF
THAT they want under the dual subway
CONTRACTS instead OF taking the initia'
ftive yourself.
Il hope that you will find an oppor-
stunity to give some attention to the
sovercrowding OF passengers in the tran
bit lines OF the city instead OF spending
your time worrying SO much about in.
CREASED fares for the transit corpora
ftions. You should visit the Times square
station of the West Side subway as wei
Jas other stations about 6 o'clock in the
evening and the sight of the overcrowd-
hng you will see there, as well as other
lplaceB throughout the city, should divert
tyour attention from increased fares long
senough to give the people some relief"
Adopting for the first time the coldly
toffic-al "Sir" In his salutation, Commits
fsioner Nixon did not wait to receivs
sthe Mayors letter In usual course be
fore despatchlng to the City Hall the
Following reply:
Your letter addressed to me. appear.
fling In the public press. though not re.
sceived at this Office, is noted.
IT sent you a letter on a subject oil
fthe city's business, affecting the travel.
ting public. You see fit to answer in the
fusual way.
II am perfectly capable of regulating
ktraffic and of urging the maximum O.
teafe service in rush hours
'1n SO far as the appeaI,of the Quimby
Tease is concerned 1 am as anxious al
&every one else is to have a clear under
5standing of the meaning of the decision
and do not shrink. as you seem to do
ffrom the courts further expression.
"As to the propriety of my taking tn,
ftnitiative, am the judge, not you.
You have an opportunity to aid II
zadjusting disgraceful condition, dis
fgraceful because It could have beer
kavoided and the peoples interests fur
Uttered.
"As 1 wrote to the entire Board o.
Estimate and Apportionment l expec
TO have answers from them more II
Excepting with the responsibilities of thei
fofflce"
An account of a meeting Of the execu
tive committee OF the Non-Partisan Wig
lance Committee organized by Nave
siylan, made public by Peter J. Brady
the secretary, last night stated: Com