New-York tribune., 1919-10-21

to-day the fruits of the most destruc-
tive attack ever made on its transport
tation systems, more destructive than
any other city in the country has had
to face during or since the war. The
whole difficulty is due to a complete
lack Of business capacity and foresight
on the part of Mayor Hylan. In his
efforts to destroy our railroad systems
he has brought about a condition of
affairs by which the people in all sec
tions Of the city must suffer great in
convenience and, in addition, pay in
creased fares.
"A slight increase in fares before
the railroads were forced into bank
ruptcy, with universal transfers and
proper service, would have been in
fnitely better than the intolerable con-
ditions that now exist.
15-Cent Fare Imposed
"a single instance will suffice to
show the loss to some Of the people Of
this borough. One desiring to ride
from Sixteenth Avenue and Borough
Park to New York must suffer the in
convenience Of riding upon three cars
and paying 15-cent fare. A similar
situation is found in all the outlying
sections of this borough and parts of
Queens, where thousands of people are
the only means Of transportation
"The newspapers indicate that the
Mayor has organized so-called vigi-
lance committee. hope that the peo-
pie Of Brooklyn will organize a real
vigilance committee, net from the
officeholders under Mayor Hylan, but
Of men and women who are interested
in the welfare Of our people and who
will unite in taking some action which
will, by Legislation or otherwise, com
pei the Mayor to adopt some means of
relieving the intolerable situation.
Higher Fares Necessary
To-day everything has risen in
price. The railroad companies must
pay their employees higher wages and
an increase of more than 100 per cent
for their supplies, and they cannot
exist without charging Il higher fare.
The Mayor and those associated with
him should have allowed the railroads
slight increase in fare. We would
then have been assured Of better and
cheaper transportation system; bu. in
stead he has set upon a plan to com
pletely bankrupt the transit companies
for the sole purpose Of forcing munich
pal ownership and operation upon a
city which has already reached its debt
limit He has so completely destroyed
our transit facilities the entire city is
up in arms. Business men, property
values and all else dependent upon pub
lie transit facilities have been greatly
damaged"
Commissioner Nixon said he had in
tended to let Mayor Hyan adjust the
troubles of the Manhattan-Q Queens
Company, but that the Mayor had
taken legal action to evadc such re-
sponsibility.
Like the country doctor who
treated all ills by pills from the same
pocket, we shall now hear the call OF
the faithful prayer: Buses FUSES,
Buses!'" said Mr.. Nixon.
'ln the meantime. fares are rising
and many are feeling the pinch H.
is now causing many in Brooklyn tc
pay IS and 20 cents. He must take
the responsibility and must answer t,
| the people. In the next two years. il
the people do not protest against this
interference with state regulation, tho
working Of economic laws will cost The
! people Of the city not less than S25-
100000 in taxes, and Indirectly damage
the city more than an hours bonn
tardment by an eneny's heet'
Commissioner Nixon held a confer
ence ut his Office yesterday with Off