New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-28

public Servico Commissioner

Public Service Commissioner
The Tribune has asked me to pre-
pare statement on the transit situa-
tion IN New York City. In normal
times would welcome the opportunity,
but at present the outlook is anything
but promising, and the future cannot
be forecast with any degree Of GER
tainty. All agree that present condi-
tons are lntolerable. There must be
4 change and that in the near future.
II the transit systems of the American
metropolis are to continue to function
and expand in a manner commensurate
with the demands Of rapidly increas-
ing traffic.
At the outset. let me say that the
Public Service Commission now has
nothing to do with the construction of
new subWays or the completion Of
those under construction. Under the
new law that duty vests in the Tran
slt construction Commissioner. John
II. Delaney, who - pushing vig-
orously the completion OF the remain
ing links IN the dual system The Pub
TIC Service Commission retains only
It's regulatory functions, and among
these IS the power to investigate rates
OF fare and to order such changes as
are necessary. The exercise OF this
power, however. is moi exclusive: that
Is, the commission under the law and
the decisions OF the courts cannot at
present order changes IN fares where
the same are fixed by contract with
the municipality or i'm franchises
granted by the munic lpality and based
upon constitutional consents There
fore, without tine consent OF the CITY
authorities, the Public Service Com
MISSION IS poWcrlcss to do moro than
point out the relief which should be
granted IN the present abnormal situa-
tion. these conditions should be
changed. If the state is 10 maintain
regulatory commission with power
over rates, that commission should be
given tull power TO fix such rates as
Will pay for service rendered If this
Is not done. then the municipality it
self should be given plenary power of
control.
New Subways Already Crowded
Traffic is increasing greatly every
year ana the new subways are already
crowded. During the holiday rush this
year the lnterborough Rapid Transit
Company frequently carried more than
c'o"V,Ooo passengers Il day in the East
side and West Side subwavs. The
crowdlng incident TO the travel pre-
hgures the early saturation of present
subway facilities. When the satura-
tlon point is reached new rapid transit
lines Will be required. 1t is not TOO
early now for tho proper authorities
TO begin planning for the construction
OF new north and south subway line
in Manhattan and the Bronx. a new
tunnel line under the East River ia
relieve the crowded conditions on the
subway and elevated lines Of the New
York Consolidated Railroad Company,
and rapid transit line TO Richmond.
the only borough now without rapid
transit facilities. The provision of
such new lines Will demand the ex-
penditure Of probably 100000, 900.
Steps should be taken ut once by the
city and by the operating companies
to make it possible to raise these
funds when they are required
Higher Fare for l. r. T.
Thu lnterborough Rapid Transit
Company which operates the city sub
way lines in Manhattan, the Bronx
Brooklyn and Queens, as we'll as the
privately owned elevated lines in Man
haitian and the Bronx. is under great
financial strain. Increasing operating
costs due to conditions brought about
by the war, including high wages and
high prices of materials. have strained
the resources Of the company to the
breaking point. For some months the
company has been faced with the prob
ability Of receivership. unless relief
is provided. This relief might come
from an increased fare to be charged
only as long as the present emergency
lasts. Certainly it would be better for |
the community to pay little more for
transportation during temporary !
period than to have the useful service !
of this company crippled to an extent
that would seriously Interfere with the
industrial life Of the city Fares should |
be fixed on a sliding scale, so that they
can be reduced when cost of service
falls and increased when it rises Ii
the Public Service Commssio had
power to establish such sliding scale.
the community would be assured of
service and the companies
81 suf3cienN revenue to maintain full
epegstiout