New-York tribune., 1919-07-30
City and State Officials, at
Brooklyn Gathering, Pro-
test Transfer C. haree:
Hylan Attacks the B. r. T.
Mismanagement Charged
Mayor Assails Transporta-
ton Lines as Attempting
to Hold Up the Public

State and city officials united last
night in attacking the two-cent charge
for transfers by the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company at meeting of the
Allied Boards OF Trade and Taxpay-
branch of the Brooklyn Public Lii
brary. The audience cheered wildly
every criticism Of the company and
every reference TO fight against the
extra charge.
Mayor Hylan was the principal
speaker He was introduced by Nor
ris Adler, president Of the allied as
socation. as "the fighting Mayor Of
New York" Following his custom, the
Mayor read his speech. Frequently he
looked up from his paper and admon-
ished the crowd: Nov, YOU want to
listen carefully to this"
Maurice Biederman, a soldier just
returned from France, followed the
Mayor and was cheered as heartily
He compared American traction service
with that of France and Coblenz. Both
cities, he said, are struggling under the
burden of a higher living cost than
New York but in spite OF this they can
give the best possible service on their
street railways for three cents.
Will Petition Smith
Mr.. Biederman introduced resolu-
ton to petition Governor Smith for the
removal OF Public Service Commits
sioner Lewis Nixon on the ground that
he had shown clearly leanings toward
the traction companies to the detri-
ment Of the interests of the people.
The resolution was adopted unani-
u.ously.
State Senator Charles E. Russell
was appointed chairman OF a commit
tee Of five, with instructions to call
on the Governor within thirty days
and request his aid in the fight against
2cent transfers. Senator Russell an
nounced that his committee would in
vite the cooperation Of all civic bodies
in the fight.
In his speech Mayor Hylan said
THE city administration stands
ready to take over and operate the
lines owned by the city for a scent
fare.
"a contract is a contract, and should
! be lived up to by the transit corpora
tions as we'll as by the city.
Calls Service Abominable
"The abominable transit facilities
existing prior to the execution OF the
dual subway contracts brought about
by the transit corporations we're used
BY them as = propaganda in forcing
the acceptance Of these contracts by
the city.
Why should not COMMISSIONS
Nixon give some consideration to
changing these high rentals instead OF
placing this burden on the public?
The destinies of one of these over
capitalized concerns have been in
trusted to a new pilot. and o-day we
find them in the hands of a receiver
appointed in frie ndly suit in which
the American Brake Shoe and Foundry
Company, small creditor of the New
York Railways Company, was the
plaintiff. And SO between the mill
stones of stock Juggling and friendly
receivership the travelling public !:
constantly jammed and the investing
public constantly squeezed.
Charges Disgraceful Management
The Brooklyn Rapid Transit is like
wise in the hands Of a receiver after
disgraceful career of mismanage-
ment.
The audacity of the officials of the
transit corporations in asking the
Court Of Appeals to stultify itself by
now saying that the Public Service
Commission has the power to increase
fares, when only a year ago the sam,
court said that the Public Service Com
mission did not have any such power
is the most brazen attempt ever made
to force an increased fare down tn,
throats of the public"
Other speakers were Alderman