The sun., 1919-05-14
MAYOR TO ESCAPE
TRACTION QUIZ
Aldermen by Vote of 32 to II
Sidetrack Measure Calling
for Transit Information.
MANY QUESTIONS READY
Quinn Would Ask What Hylan
Has Done to Improve ODE
moralized" Service.

BY the simple process of laying n on
'he table the Democratic majority IN
the Board OF Aldermen yesterday killed
an inquiry directed at Mayor Hylan
which might have kept him I'D late for
many nights in an attempt to make an
adequate answer to a series of aues-
tions in regard to the transit situation.
The vote was SO TO II by which the
resolution OF Alderman William F.
Quinn. Republican. calling for a commit
tee OF seven to investigate the transit
situation and for detailed information
from the Mayor was put aside.
The preamble pointed out that the re-
ownership of the surface lines In Man
haitian and the elevated and subway
lines in Brooklyn might result in a
separation of the various lines with sin
gle fares on each one, running the
transportation bill Of the citizens UP TO
burdensome proportions It stated that
the Mayor had held secret conferences
with the traction interests and that II
was up to the Board OF Aldermen to
find out who was responsible for "the
chaotic conditions" The resolution re-
Quested the Mayor to submit answers ia
the following questions:
l. Do you expect to get n ) cent fare
without charge for transfers on our
various surface lines privately owned
and operated, and II so. how. and by
what legal process or contract and on
what basis OF cost?
2. Now that the New York Railway
Company Is in the hands of a receiver
will not the right to operate eventually
revert to the various lines, so that each
company will be able to charge a 5 cent
fare? How many such companies are
there in Manhattan and what may their
charges be.
,. What is the present liability Of the
city In amount, II any. to the company
operating the city subway under the
guarantee arrangement?
4. Do you believe. all things consid-
cred. that the city should now undertake
TO own and operate our street railway
lines? II you believe that the city
should now undertake such ownership
and operation please state:
fa) What funds OF the city are avail
able FOR such purpose, and the relation
OF such funds 10 the debt limit II any.
Cb) The total amount OF funds re-
Quired to purchase the surface lines.
(c) The overhead expense for operat-
ihS INC dIOTesdlQ lneS per year.
cd Tho legal right involved and the
methods TO bring about municipal opera
ton.
Alderman Quinn would also have the
Mayor tell the board what plan he had
to solve the situation. by what legal
process he would carry II out, what the
cost 10 the taxpayer would be and what
fare would be charged: also how much
longer the citizens would have to put UP
with a demoralized traction service.
Arguing for his motion, Alderman
Quinn declared that every move made by
Mayor Hylan had been obstructive, and
that one thing was certain-"New York
did not want It's transit lines under pub
lie ownership after the horrible exam
pies made of the railroads and the tele-
phone and telegraph lines by the Federal
Government"
resolution was passed asking the
heads Of all city and county departments
TO send In list of members OF their
STATS who had been killed in the war in
order that their names might be in
scrioed on the minutes OF the board as a
special mark OF honor