New-York tribune., 1920-01-29
Hylan Charges
Move to Block
Transit Inquiry
Mayor Refuses to Permit
Hedges TO Present Views; {;
l. X. T. Paid S27,00O,-
600 From 1913 to 1917
Subway Officials Resign
Nice-President One of Those
TO Quit, Burr Is Told:
Pay Roll Shows Big Gain

Mayor Hylan charged that an at
tempt was being made to block or
break up the traction investigation
when job Hedges, receiver Of the New
York Railways Company, appeared be-
fore the Board of Estimate at the be-
ginning of its inquiry yesterday and
demanded that he be given hearing.
When Hedges's request was followed
by similar ones from Henry L. Stimson,
his attorney, and Alfred A. Cook, rep
resenting the Interborough Consoli-
dated Company stockholders. the Mayor
ordered the inquiry to continue and
threatened 10 have the sergeant at
arms enforce order among the inter
rupters. Mr.. Hedges was told that his
company's case would come up in due
time after the Interborough Rapid
Transit affairs had been settled.
During the days session it was
brought out that:
David W. Ross, vice president Of
the Interborough, in charge Of pur-
chases of supplies, and two other
members of that department had
severad connection with the corpo-
lAtlon Wllnin lhe lAst lew weeks,
Mr.. Ross intending to retire Jan
uary 81.
The Interborough Rapid Transit
Company distributed to stockhold-
ers in dividends between 1913 and
1917 $4,000 900.
The Manhattan Elevated Railway
expenditures for electrical construc-
.ion and equipment, up to 1915, were
22,622,4l2.
lnterborough Payroll Grows
The lnterborough payroll for 1919
vas SIT ,309 ,974, compared with $4,-
593,32a in 1905.
The Manhattan Elevated capital
stock was increased from S48,O00 900
TO S60,000,000 shortly after it was
taken over by thu Interborough and
the dividend rate increased from 4
per cent to 7 per cent.
served about S48,0o0,0OO if it had
given q per cent dividend during
The period from 1903 to 1919
Stepping up to the horseshoe desk a
which the members of the board were
seated, waiting for the inquiry to be
gin. Mr.. Hedges said:
Before you start, Mr.. Mayor, may
make an inquiry? l noticed in the
pTess last week, following the exam
ination of the marlborough matters
that your Honor stated that the claim
OF the 1nterborougn for an increase OF
fare was excluded. take it that thi:
Is a conclusion as to their claim for ar
Increase of fare, but that the examna
ton and possible future revelations are
TO go on.
Petition for Relief
II filed a petition at the direction o.
the court, directing me to appeal t
this board for temporary relief for the
New York Railways. Now, ! woult
like to know if it is not possible il
some way for the examination of tn,
New York Railways to be interjectet
with these, on odd days or something
o. that sort?
Mayor Hylan replied that Mr. Hedge!
ehould take the matter up with tn,
Corporation Counsel.
II present petition here from tn,
Federal court asking for action" re
Piled Hedges. "Now, what I want t,
know is. when can be heard?"
lou are not going to get us mixet
up said the Mayor. eve are goin,
through with this thing In a proper anC
orderly manner. We are not poina, t,
be thwarted" -
Nobody wants 70 thwart anybody,
Mr.. Hedges interrupted.
ell. you companies are In th
same pot Mr.. Hylan replied.
&c use different kind OF llqui,
and We refuse 20 be put in the sam
pot" Mr.. Hedges said.
Cook Blocked by Mayor
When Mr.. Cook arose 10 press tn
claims Of the Intcrborough Consoli
dated Mayor Hylan stopped him.
I'VE are not going to let YOU inter
fere either" he declared ut is evi
dent that some one is starting some
thing by way OF interference Wit
sll due respect 80 you, this investiga
lion az We have started it will not b
blocked"
Alr Cook protested that he was nc
blocking the proceedings, but the Mayo
cut short his protest and ordered hin
10 take his seat. When Colonel Stin
son asked Corporation Counsel Bun
for an appointment to straighten o,
the matter the Mayor warned Couns
Burr:
Don't make any promise to see an
body and don't get mixed up in tb
matter. They are not going to ru'
you off your feet, either, or the board
Horace NJ. Fisher, secretary Of Il
Interborough Rapid Transit Compan
the first witness, brought with him
letter written by Angus. Bclmol
which, according to MIR. Fisher. show
that the banker had not made excessi
profits IN lntcrborough financing.
Refuses to Accept Letter
You must know by this time that
confidential letter that Mr.. Bclmo
wrote would not be evidence in Ii
invest tigat.On or in an other cas-,
corporation Counsel .2urr rctorts
am tooAiug for data, not express 81
or opinion Of August Belmont"
William +. J. Gaynor, lNtcrborou,
auditor, took up the rest Of the sessit
Snder volley of questions by Nav
\ hylan aad by Mr. Burr a. TO i
proilts made by J. F. Morgan e. {
IN noating the last Intcrborourb To-
OF so9 9OpO 900 the witness profcssod
De In total ignorance and referred =,
Questloners TO the banker, thcrosety,
Asked whether $4,000 600 bad h..
PAD out N bankers commissions 81,
1V5, the witness replied that he :
HeVed ~ Vas not one fourth Of N
sum. - -
Money for improvements
dc said that the s39 600 ooo -,
raised largely 10 buy equipment n.
or elevated third tracking and Il
psoYcment. Tho equipment. accord
o contracts with the city made
tsi3' vas 10 cost So 600 600, bu. :
HSufc was raised because Of tho NJ
ne witness said. He explained ~
nc contracts were not let before IA
because tine had 70 be taken 10 y,
pare plans and specifications. and '
var vas we'll under way before the