New-York tribune., 1920-03-14
City to Operate
Car Lines on
Staten Island
Plans to Install Municipal
Service on the Midland
System, Left Idle by Its
Owners, Are Announced
Rolling Stock Available
Mavor Asserts Board of Esti-
mate Will Continue Its
Higher Fare Inquiry

Plans for operation of city owned troll
lev cars on the lines of the Midland
Railroad Company. on Staten Island, on
which service was discontinued by the
company two months ago, were ar
nounced yesterday by Commissioner
Grover A. Whalen, of the Department Of
Plant and Structures. Commissioner
Whalen began negotiations yesterday
with the Emergency Fleet Corporation
for the purchase of twenty cars, the
same number that had been operated on
the Midland lines.
The decision Of the city officials to
venture into the field of municipal op-
Grafton of surface lines followed quick
" upon the action Of the Board of
Estimate on Friday in appropriating
more than S1,O00.0o0 for construction
Of municipal busses. The urgency of
the traction situation on Staten Island
it was explained. required immediate
relief, which could not be had by wait
ing for the establishment of the new
city bus lines. Whether the grand
jury investigation started in Richmond
County influenced city officials in their
decision could not be learned.
Burr to Seek Legal Authority
Mayor Hylan, before going to At !
lantic City on Friday night, directed
Corporation Counsel Burr to take the
necessary legal steps to permit oper-
alton of the cars. 1t is understood
that the Corporation Counsel will ask
the United States District Court for
permission TO use the abandoned tracks I
il the court should fail to grant the
request the city is expected to start
proceedings for forfeiture of the COM (
panys lraAchise' on the ground that it /
has not lived up to its terms.
Commissioner Whalen said vester-
day that if the Staten Island companv
ripped up its rails the city would lay
new rails IN zig time" The city has
supply OF rails stored, he said. Flec-
trlc power wlll be obtained from the
Hchmond Light & Railroad Company.
by the use OF writ Of mandamus #
necessary, the Commissioner said.
Robert Halg, superintendent of con-
structon Of the Emergency Fleet Cor
gorauon, has Informed Commissioner
haIen that he now has twenty cars
IN Phl!ade lphia. which were used to
transfer snip workers, which would be
avaiiaole Tor use by the city within a
week. Ten of the cars are new and
will cost $4,000 each. and ten M nlJ cara saru
can be purchased for $4,000 each
Mayor Hylan directed Commissionar
", mhaion to cut all red tape and get
'ne cars at the earliest possible mo- l
Meh'. Inc Commissioner will confer
with the fleet corporation representa-
tves again tomorrow.
Company in Receivers Hands
inc Midland company went into the
dancS 5ane % a receiver on January 81, two
Gays after ceasing operation Of its
mes. The company notified the Board
y. Ls1hhate that it could not afford to
continue service on five-ccnt fare.
bosough President Van Name of Rich.
moAd ana citizens committees made
repeated appeals to the Board of Fs-
innate lot relief. but the matter was
Pa' over from time to time. Mr.. Van
N@me informed the board at its meet
ing week ago that a grand jury in
We ses. .aItloA had been begun and indict-
!heh'S lor derellction Of duty in Of
nee were threatened against the Mayof
~au e:.i. Vlner members of the board The
Sty installed pusses along the aban-
adequate p-N'e0 LII
a.l mere ere were no developments yester
aay ia. following the withdrawal by the
traction companies of their petitions
nor nor feief to the Board of Estimate.
Mayor Hylan, however, left a state.
.ne.' IN winch he declared the investi-
1; sa.lon before the board would be con-
''"ued and witnesses subpenaed.
Mayor Criticizes Curran
q, 1t was plainly evident that. with
the exception of Borough President
TTurran, Tyl, the members of the Board of
IIssimate Ite were in earnest in their en-
aeaVor to go to the bottom Of the trac
illon llon investigation and let the neonle
KNOW the truth" said the Mayor. Cor
poiation Counsel Burr asked for the
p!oaoctlon Of some important informa-
.Ion' non winch they were to produce at
'he next hearing. l am not surprised
~ see Borough President Curran rush
~ ~ 'he rescue by offering an excuse for
'ne withdrawal. At the last hearing.
cnlie Comptroller Craig, President La
uuardla and myself were endeavoring
L. get tho facts from the company's
Eudltor by having him answer oues-
tohs instead Of giving evasive replies,
,pi' .. Ourran came to the rescue Of the
,"Nhess and accused members Of the
.oatus with un airness and called
lanes. The Investigation will continue
And the public will know the truth"
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