New-York tribune., 1919-01-09

every one, but don't propose to have
any high finance job Of that sort put
over on the public if can stop it,
"The lnterborough clamors for high
CT fares, with its clamor skilfully 'ac-
celeratcd' by its many agents and bene-
ficiaries, but there are other things to
be considered than the financial inter-
ests represented by Mr.. Shonts. He is
working for The Interborough and am
working for the public.
"The tricky intent of the INTERIOR
ough interests and their ally, the Pub
lie Service Commission, to discredit
any public officials who are not willing
to accept unreservedy the dictates of
the Interborough spokesman will dis
credit them more than it will me- 1t
only shows that the traction ring and
its Public Service Commission are dis
appointed and irritated over it's realiza-
ton that the Interborough does not run
New York any more
Suggested Counter Proposition
"Some time ago the Interborough and
other transit lines made an application
for increased fares, which, after full
conside ration, was denied by the Board
of Estimate and Apportionment.
u am not unmindful of the fact that
tho war created unusual conditions,
which have reduced the profits Of the
traction companies, but they must take
the lean with the fat like every one
else. The abnormal conditions created
by the war are not going to last for
ever.
Il did, therefore, make counter
suggestion to Mr., Shonts that some
temporary relief plan might possibly
be worked out of the best features Of
the Boston plan and of the one sug-
gested for Chicago, having in mind
mainly the operation of the traction
lines by trustees to be appointed by
the Governor of the state or the Mayor
OF the city, with proper regard for
the public interests.
Defends Trustee Operation
81 still believe that if the traction
lines of this city were in the hands of
trustees appointed by the Governor or
the Mayo, with the watered stock in
each company eliminated, they would
be operated to better advantage for
the people than they are now by Shonts
& Co., whose chief desire is to
draw fat salaries and pay dividends on
watered stock, bonuses and commits
sions to their officials without regard
TO the rights of the travelling public.
Whenever Mr.. Shonts called at my
Office | was particularly careful to have
an official of my Office present as a wit
ness. At no time did | talk to Mr..
Shonts alone.
"To get the benefit of the experience
of some one who had special knowl-
edge Of the working of the trustee plan
and who, at the same time, was not in
the control or under the influence of
the local traction interests here,
called in Mr.. G. f. Macfarland, of Bos-
ton, who had worked on the Boston
public trusteeship plan and who was
also familiar with the conditions as
they existed in Chicago under a SINH
lar plan.
Arranged for Conference
IL arranged for a conference between
Mr.. Macfarland and Mr.. Shonts to see
if any part of the Boston trusteeship
plan would be workable for New York
Later on, owing to the illness of Mr.
Macfarland and after several telephone
calls from Mr.. Snonts, | asked Corpo-
ration Counsel Burr to take the matter
up. The Corporation Counsel did take
it up with the lnterboroGgh people, but
after several conferences, he reported d
to me that the only thing the INTERIOR
ough wanted was a one-slded scheme
that would tie the city up in knot for
the exclusive benefit Of the traction in
tcrcsts, without any public ADVANTAGE
whatsoever. They presented to the
Corporation Counsel proposed pro
tocol,' or agreement, which he rejected
In fact, as Mr.. Quackenbush testified at
the Public Service Commission hearing
cember, prepared his views of this
wiped the earth with it and reported
against it.
Quotes Letter to Burr
Ny own complete concurrence with
Mr, Burr's findings is summarized in
my letter Of December 13 to him, as
follows:
William r. Barr. ESD.
Corporation Counsel
"sCity Of New York.
"tDear Sir:
Your letter Of December A, with
proposed agreement or plan for the
operation by trustees Of all the sub
way, elevated and surface railroads in
the city, il received.
"Pfhe proposition Of the INTERIOR
ough is preposterous.
"'All tho Intcrborough seems 10 be
worrying about is an increased fare.
RIO plan Will be given serious consid-
Grafton that does not climiaate the