New-York tribune., 1920-05-01
Nhalen Asks
City to Seize
4. Staten Lines
'e,;tions Estimate Board
70 Declare Franchises
Forfeit and Appropriate
100000 10 Run Cars
I;eht Plant Included
finance Committee Will
Consider Proposal at
Its Meeting on Monday

bI psspairing Of any anlicsble arrange
lent toward city operation of the dis
lon,inued lines with the receivers or
1sieials of the Staten Island trolley
tompanies, Commissioner Grover A.
1yhsleu of the Department of Plant
Ind Structures asked the Board of
Estimate yesterday TO institute pro-
tsedings forthwith to seize and operate
The trolley lines and to acquire the
lsower and lighting plant in order 20
Insure the permanent lighting of the
Atrsets in Richmond County.
F1 In his appeal to the Board of Esti-
lnste. the Commissioner said:
"The two street railway corporations
holding franchises in Richmond Bor-
|kush having abandoned their lines.
Eespectfully recommend that their
! a.ranchises be declared forfeited. This
abandonment Of their franchise rights
| 3sss fragrant disregard of their con-
Ersctual obligations to the City of New
|ekork and a gross defiance of the rights
| III the people of the Borough of Rich
& lnond.
Il Excuse Not Proved. He Says
"These trolley companies seek to ex-
! luse their abandonment of their lines
|sby the assertion that they cannot make
III profit at scent fare. This remains
[1o this day a mere assertion. They
\ lave not proved their case. They have
! been unwilling to maintain service
bending their submission of such proof.
in the case of the Midland the
abandonment of the lines was without
Iny other excuse than this improved
assertion. In the case of the Richmond
Light and Power Company, the aban-
Eonment of the lines was consequent
hpon the refusal of the company to
lrbtrate It's differences with its en-
bloyees. In both cases the abandon
slets.
"The Board of Estimate and Appor-
3ionment, eager to maintain service.
Not only authorized the Department
! bf Plant and Structures to operate
tusses, but directed the Commissioner
10 negotiate an agreement under which
! The city might operate the Midland
| Zines. But I have to report that these
Negotiations have been fruitless. that
1he propositions made by the company
have been absurd, that the rental de-
handed has been excessive and that
1he equipment offered has been ridic-
dllously inadequate. Though the Mid
EIsnd, in 1916, was possessed of thirty
| 4wo modern steel cars, the company
Iteems to have divested itself Of this
property. and offers to the city obso-
Iete equipment that is of no use.
III II therefore recommend, in the
trst place, that the franchises Of bot
companies be declared forfeited. an(
|hat their railways, having reverted
10 the city, be turned over to the De
fartment OF Plant and Structures fey
fperation by the city.
"ln the second place, I recommend
hat the Board of Estimate concur in
he action take by the Board of Alder
pen on April 81, 1920, and author.
ze the Comptroller to issue specia
evenue bonds to the amount of $500
p0 for the purchase of trolley cars
fnd the equipment of the Staten Island
nes. There are available for i'm
fedlate purchase and delivery fifty
fars, each equipped with two fifty
horsepower motors, airbrakes, etc .
nd such appropriation would be sufi-
fient 10 put the abandoned railways in
.tVhciI4cH ana SldTC operation.
In the third place, l recommend
nat the Corporation Counsel be re-
4uested to inquire into the jurisdic-
s 1ion of the receivers that have been nut
nominal possession Of these rail
Pays by the process of friendly suits
N the Federal courts.
Would Require Power Plant
I'm the fourth place I recommend
fnat action be taken to meet the whole
situation developed on Staten Island
ny lnstituting proceedings to acquire
|fne power and lighting plant, which is
IN integral and essential part of the
|Ffoiley system and which, moreover.
Is the only means of keeping the
|Ftreets Of the Borough of Richmond
Highted. ''''' ~
n 1T is grave public peril to have
community of $4,000 people an en-
Ire 6orough-dependent upon a single
|ignting plant that is being worked
|to Its capacity without reserve units
|l1r emergency service and under
8fhyslcal, and labor conditions, either
IL which may result in plunging the
|fhoIe community in darkness. This
peril that, believe, should not
Re allowed to hang over this grea.
Borough.
~ seems to me that it is the urgent
aolgauon of the city to do its duty
| itself and to Richmond Borough
|fy ending a condition that has been
|ftolerable for years-a condition that
IAN be remedied only by the city as
umlng fully its responsibility to the
|Ecople of this borough and taking over
|foth the lighting and the trolley serv-
9cc"
III commissioner Whalen's request was
1elerred to the Finance Committee OF
Eae board for consideration at its
|1aeeting Monday.