New-York tribune., 1920-01-14
Inquiry Board
Demands ALI
Traction Data
City Experts to Search Of
fees of Companies for
Full Information OH the
Condition of Systems
Resume Hearing Jan. FL

Est1matc BODY TlanS ACtIOu
to End Turmoil, Incon-
venicnce and Discomfort
The Board Of Estimate began its
! investigation of the cty's traction
companies yesterday. In a, brief ses-
! sion, lasting only half an hour, the
/ board announced its program for the
ne:.t week, arranged to nave city ac-
countants and experts invade the offices
Of the Interborough and the New York
Railways, and declared its intention Of
taking final and conclusive action "to
end the turmoil. agitation. dissatsfac-
ton, inconvenience and discomfort that
now characterize the transportation
service of the city"
Wednesday, January 21, was set as
the date of the next hearing. Scores
of city employees, under the leadership
of William P. Burr, Corporation Coun-
sci, and assisted by the attorneys for
the traction companies, will spend all
of the interval in gathering facts
wanted by the board when it next
meets.
Facts. Sought by Board
This is the information sought, as
outlined officially yesterday:
N(a) The actual monetary investment
for the equipment of the first subway
under contract No. l by the contractor
John B. Macdonald, or by him and his
assignees, and the Interborough Rapid
! Transit Company: that is, to acertain
the extent to which funds of the in
vesting public supplemented moneys
supplied by the City of New York for
the construction and equipment of orig
inal subway under contract No. l..
"(b) The actual monetary investment
of funds other than those supplied by
the City of New York in the construc-
tion and equipment of the Brooklyn ex-
tension of the original subway under
what is known as contract No. 2.
"(c) The facts and circum stances in
relation to the lease Of the lines of the
Manhattan Elevated Railroad Company
by the Interborough Rapid Transit
Company.
"ld) The actual monetary investment
in the existing surface lines in the Bor-
ough of Manhattan"
Craig Asks for Data
The inquiry started with representa-
tives of all the traction companies on
hand, but with two of the members
Of the board absent. f. H. La Guardia,
President of the Board of Aldermen,
sent word that matters of Importance
in the meeting of that body prevented
him from attending. President Con-
molly Of Queens was represented by
one of his subordinates.
resolution was adopted, empower
ing Corporation Counsel Burr, who
will personally act as examiner, to
arrange for the production of neces-
sary. evidence and witnesses. and the
employment of accountants, examiners
and assistants, to be charged to the
contingency fund of the Board OF
Estimate.
After Henry L. Stimson, Alfred A.
Cook and James L. Quackenbush, at
torneys for the New York Railways,
PETERBOROUGH Consolidated and Inter
had made appearances, Comptroller
Craig started to question Mr.. Quacken-
bush about the obtaining of infor-
nation.
"How soon can we get the data
wanted about the original subway
equipment costs and the entire costs
Of the extension?' Mr.. Craig asked.
we can get on working basis this
afternoon" Mr.. Quackenbush flashed
back. "Wc have already notified our
accountants to be in readiness, and
thing we have or can get. There is
nothing new. It's all been done be-
| fore"
There are some things we want that
have never been done BEFORE" Mr..
Craig replied. "We're not going to
waste time over data compiled at some
time in the past. which are matters of
record"
The 1nterborough attorney said that,
on the basis of new material, a week
would be all the time required to put
of the facts. Comptroller Craig then
turned to Mr.. Stimson and told him
that the chief question in the case of
the New York Railways Company (the
surface lines) was the costs of cleo
trification of tho "o:ds.
'Is there anything to show these
?'' asked Mr.. Craig.
~ think not" Mir Stmson sa;d
"'fhc books Of some Of the roads, prior
disappearance was investigated by the
Public Service Commission and tho
grand jury"
Not Interested In Appraisals
When Mr.. Stimson offered to produce
face lines, Mr.. Craig smiled and said
"We're not Interested in appraisals,
but in real money. Maybe in week
you'll be able to get at the original
sources for u.s."
Corporation Counsel Burr then stated
that through original vouchers and
costs. the investigation aimed at the
true history of the transportation CON-
panies of the city. and the appropriate
remedy for present conditions. When
he mentioned the issuance of subpenas
Mr. Stimson, Mr.. Quackenbush and
Lindley NJ. Garrison, B. r. T. receiver;
Jumped to their feet and assured the
boa.d that suhDscns.s would be IN.
:icceas9rF in ihe;s case.
'na}re hero H. some ona in New
je'. we'd like to haze" NJ. Craig
said. with grin.
"And received letter this morn
ing, containing certain names, and I'll
be very much surprised if subpnnas
are, not needed in their case" Mayor
Hylan added
A good-natured tilt between MI.
Garrison and the members of the board
then enlivened the proceedings. The
b: 4. T. receiver asked whether. as
o1flclal OF the Brooklyn company, he
was required to be present at the hear
1ngs into the Manhattan lines.
"Charity Largely Involved"
Like charity, we'll begin at home.
the Comptroller said.
"Charity will be largely involved in
this IA ffair 1or,t ,,o,, +j,:,,1