New-York tribune., 1920-11-15
The CommuteY Turns
Speaks His Mind Of Commissions and
Their Red Tape

10 Vnd Edltof OF Tho Tribune.
Sir: On November you published d
under the titlo "When q Commuter
Forgets" letter which wrote on No
vember 9 to the Public Seryic. Com.
mission. My letter related to the rail-
rond companies practice Of collecting
and retaining full faro from any per
son who has purchased a communication
ticket, but who from some mishap does
not have tho ticket In hts possession.
I suggested special receipt which
would entitle such person to q refund
upon presentation Of the communication
ticket This practice affects me only
to the extent Of few dollars a year,
but it results In the annual collection
of hundreds Of thousands Of dollars
which should be refunded. It seems to
me matter Of public interest TO learn
how the Public Service Commission
handles such complaint. My answer
from the commission reads as FOL
lows;
November 10, 1920.
Dear Sir: In reply to yours of the
9Th instant you are advised that if You
desire 80 to do you may complain to
this commission against the New York
Central Railroad Company's practice
referred to. Upon receipt Of such
complaint the commission will serve
same and II it be not satisfied it will
fix date for hearing thereupon, after
which decision will be rendered. How
ever, it is suggested that you first sub
nit your proposed regulation to Mr..
l.. A. Robson, passenger traffic mana
ger the New York Central Railroad
Company. Grand Central Terminal,
New York, N. Y, and ascertain the at
titude Of the company relative thereto.
"For the Commission,
"FRANCIS <. DISNEY, Secretary"
To this letter have replied as fol-
lows:
"Public Service Commission, Albany,
N. Y.
"Gentlemen: Answering your courte-
Gus favor of the 10th instant, I wish
to say that your procedure appears to
me as inefficient and as obstructive to
the purpose for which your commits
sion exists. 1t is your duty 70 see that
public service corporations render ade-
ouatc service at reasonable rates YOU
act as the representative Of the public.
One Of the most important aspects Of
your function lies in the fact that
there are frequent abuses which no
individual can afford the time and
money to combat, but which in the ag-
gregate result in substantial public
injury. Upon having such an abuse
called to your attention it devolves
upon you to have it rcmedied ( am
q member Of the bar and am not un-
acquainted with red tape. but am con-
fident in saying that you squarely
thwart the reformation Of improper
practices II you do not accept and pro-
ceed upon an informal complaint.
~ draw my own conclusions from
the manner in which you have handled
this matter, coupled with the fact that
complaint which ! made some months
ago concerning the New York Tele-
phone Company resulted in my receiv-
ing from you series Of bulletins to
the effect that the telephone company
should be highly commended for it's
tremendous efficiency. These bulletins
appeared to be issued by you daily in
form.
"In conclusion l have called your at
tention to an unjust practice on the
part Of the railroad companies enter
ing New York City. In answer you
propose that I correspond with the
New York Central Railroad Company
and thereafter file a formal complaint,
whereupon you will set date for a
hearing upon my complaint. If you |
are familiar with New York City you
may be aware OF the fact that the New
York Central is not the only railroad
which brings commuters to the city;
that if this practice should be altered |
at all, it should be altered in the case
of several railroad lines; and that the
attitude of the New York Central Rail- |
road Company is not dominant con-
in this connection"
My correspondence with the CON- |
mission Is Of course conducted In my
true name. COMMUTER.