Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-08-17

Plans for Putting Electrical
Trains Instead Of Steam
Told at TottenviHe Meeting

By stan Correspondent.
TOTTENVILLE, Aug. 17:-That
the only way in which the steam
system can be made satisfactory for
the carrying of passengers to the
south end of Staten Island is by
electrification vas the statement
made last night by Edwin s. Glea-
Commissioner Lewis Nixon, who
acted as chairman at the hearing of
the Public Service Commission in
the X. of c. Hall here concerning
the condition of the Staten Island
Rapid Transit Company.
Mr.. Gleason further informed the
large representation present that
Commissioners Nixon has worked
out a plan for the Identification Of
the ffne. which gives costs and ali
details necessary to improve the
road. Mr.. Gleason added hat the
commissioner is much interested in
the transit problem and future de-
velopment Of Staten Island.
The principal testimony taken at
the hearing was from John O'Neil,
who had been delegated by the Pub
lie Service Commission to investi-
gate the conditions of the Staten
Island Rapid Transit. Upon request
of Chairman Gleason, Nj. O'Neil re-
ported rs follows:
1.-THE greatest need for the i'm
provement of traffic at the present
time Is the installation of ash pits
SO that trains might be better ex-
amined. At the present time the
company has only m pit of this
kind and that is located at Clifton
OsNeil recommended that these pits
be built at st. George, Arlington
and TottenviDle.
5O.Neil reported that the motive
power of the road is in better con-
dition now than at any previous
period. Three heavy engines have
recently been added to the equip
ment and placed in operation on the
T~ottenville division. The old en-
gines, according to O'Neil. are not
heavy enough for service. Larger
engines and hrs equipped with air.
brakes are necessary to make serv-
Ice satisfactory. At this point by
direct questioning by Chairman
Gleason, O'Neil admitted that the
wreck at DUNCAN Hills last winter
In which the engineer was killed,
that the loss of life could have been
averted had the train been equipped
with air-brakes.
Several complaints were received
concerning the irregularity in train
schedule. Stuart L. Ritz, called the
attention of the commission to the
fact that trains were late in reach
ing Tottenville because equipment
Is absolete and that engines do not
posses sufficient power. IT have left
New York." said Mr.. Ritz. "on the
10 O'Clock boat and reached Totem
Vile ut HAS. This seems entirely
too long a period covering such a
short distance. After. several years
experience with the operation of the
trains about the only statement on
he timetable that can be relied upon
Is the one line which reads, subject
to change without notice."
Mr.. Ritz also called the attention
of the commission TO the ferry serv-
ice being given by thes company
between Tottenville and Perth AM
boy. He stated that the boats were
being operated irregularly and at
wide intervals, that no schedule or
time table was followed and that the
matter sof making trips or emitting
them seems to be discretionary
with the boat crews. Perth Amboy
Is an industrial center, he said, and
many island people r employed
there and the ferry at the present
sime made it very unsatisfactory for
hem, particularly during the busy
lours. of the evening when boats
ere operated at forty and fifty
iinute intervals.
Mr.. Ritz contended that the most
ggravating thing is that it is i'm
ossible to know just when boats
could leave. Often times women
nd children would run for blocks
o catch a boat and would then find
hat the boat would remain in the
SIP for half an hour. The railroad
officials promised to give this matter
.ttentiOn.