New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-10
Staten Islands Problem
l he Blessings of Municipal OPERA
J,o,, ,,e H. Et

l he Blessings of Municipal OPERA
ton Us. the Facts
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: l attended a meeting Wedncs-
day evening ostensibly called to allow
free and open discussion of means
to restore Staten Islands Transporter
ton service. Having been accountant
Tor the trolley company two years ago,
notified the chairman before the
meeting that would be glad to answer
any questions that might be put con-
corning the companys property valua-
ton, methods of figuring power charges
to the railroads, earnings, expenses
and other pertinent financial data, in
order that the discussion might be had
with as many facts as possible before
the meeting.
l attended as citizen of Staten ISL
and-not as representative of the
trolley company. My interest was to
help toward feasible plan of getting
the trollcys operating again for nv
own convenience and that of my neigh
bors. | expected that my offer Of in
formation would further this interest.
But 1t wasn't the kind Of meeting
that wanted correct information.
Instead of the open discussion that
[ expected, l found a chairman with
steam roller all prepared, with selected
speakers called TO the PLATFORM who by
Judlclous use of untruths, half truths
and play on popular prejudiccs, aroused
the mob spirit. After two hours of
abuse of the trolley company b. the
chairman, Deputy Commissioner of
Plant and Structures Mills, Mr.. Nc
Millin and Mr.. Lehman, prepared
resolution to adopt Grover Whalen's
plan of confiscating the properties Of
the Staten Island Utility COMPANIES
was introduced and carried BY an ovet
whclming vote.
Not only did the chairman fail to
give an opportunity for free discussion.
but also he displayed in his remarks,
as did also some Of the other speakers,
particularly Deputy Mills, misinfor-
nation concerning fundamental facts
acting on the basis of prejudice and
transformation. AS an instance Of the
mlsstatement Of fact, Deputy Mills
stated that granting the increase to
the striking trolleymen would cost
about 81 per man per week
II relation to Commissioner Whalen's
contiscatory plans, no one brought to
the attention Of the meeting the Fifth
Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States, which reads: :"
nor shall private property be taken for
public use without just compensation. "
Operation of the Staten Island troll
legs by the city at Scent fare would
result in q sufficient deficit to add forty
points to the Richmond tax rate if the
deficit should all be charged to the
borough, and | am sure the other Dor
oughs would not want to stand any of
it. For this reason city operation
would not ret Staten Islanders any
where, for with the scent fare gone
there is certainly nothing else TO rec
ommend city operation to people COM
PEELED to ride on the municipal ferry
and having full knowledge Of it's bless
ings.
Staten Island has several options
between Scent trolleys, no trolley1.
Scent cjty-operated busses, or possibly
scent troleys and So tax rate. The
present operation of the cars at cents
probably will not last long 1t is
therefore up to the Staten islanders to
nat aside prejudices, fully acquaint
themselves with facts, and then give
their problem consideration.
H. C. MOORE JR.
New York CITY Nav T 1000