The New York herald., 1920-01-21
OWNERS TO GET BACK
MADISON Az. LINE
Judge Mayer Signs Order Separating
1t from New York Railways Com
pany System on January 81.

Judge julius NJ. Mayer of the Federal
District Court. signed ar order yesterday
by which another important surface line
is to be disntergrated from the system OF
the New York Railways Company on
January 81 The order directs the restora
ton of the Fourth and Madison avenue
surface lines, which have a crosstown
branch in Eighty-sixth street and another
branch running from the Bowery through
Delaney street and across the Williams
burg Bridge. to their owner, the New York
and Harlem Railroad Company, at mid
night on January 81.
This will mean the cutting off Of free
transfers from these lines, and the
abandonment of the branch over the Will
iamsburg Bridge, because the independent
company has no franchise to operate cars
from the Bowery to Brooklyn. Neither has
1T any power plant or car barns. The
Madison avenue line is the third important
surface road to be separated from the
surface car system Of Manhattan since the
New York Railways Company went into
the hands of a receiver. The Eighth and
Ninth avenue roads were turned back to
their owners two or three months ago
Hedges Favored Turning Line Back.
Job T.. Hedges. receiver for the New
York Railways Company informed the
court at that time that the Fourth and
Madison avenue lines were not paying
operating expenses and taxes, and that
$50, 600 was due for rental under the lease
Mr. Hedges then suggested that this line
should be turned back to it's owners.
II. B. Anderson. counsel for the New
York and Harlem Railroad Company
when tha iy-cf cap, hafo 4
Mayer. pleaded for delay and suggested
that the owners of the lines would pay
taxes amounting TO $4,000 to save the
property from penalties He pleaded
that being without car barns and a power
plant the New York and Harlem Com
pany would be in a bad fix if the lines
were suddenly turned back to it,
This explanation led to the delay in the
issuance of the order of severance, bu
yesterday when Receiver Hedges peti
tion for instructions came UP. Mr.. Ander
son admitted that although it was
serious step, his company felt it could
no longer withhold it's consent to the sep
aration of the lines from the New Yorl
Railways system. He said franchise
taxes for the last three years amounting
to s17l.0oo were still unpaid. He added
that when furnished with the equpmen
1t Is entitled to receive under the term.
of the lease. the company will endeavol
independently to operate cars with cffici
ency and economy.
Free Transfers Cut orr.
Under independent operation passenger
will be unable to transfer from cars o
/ the Eighty-sixth street crosstoWn line
or from the Fourth and Madison avenue
lines. TO the Madison avenue and 1i6tl
street. Fifty-ninth street, Thirty-fourtl
street. Twenty-third street. Fourteentl
street and Eighth street lines, at Asto
place and Broadway, Delaney street an,
the Bowcry. and Park Row and Broad
WaV.
The Fourth and Madison avenue line
are operated from 135th street and TIL
Harlem River to the Municipal Building
at Centre street and Park Row. Whei
leased to the old Metropolitan Stree
Railway system. the New York and Har
lem Railroad Company only operated
horse cars. but the lines now to he re
stored to the company arc electrified ant
equipped with up-to-date pay-as-you-ente
cars. While the matter of turning bacl
the lines has been pending before Judg
Mayer. il is understood the New Yorl
and Harlem Company has made arrange
ments for the purchase of electric powe
and for the storage of cars.