New-York tribune., 1920-03-11
Lower. Fares ON
Surface Lines
Is Suggested
President Curran Startles
N. Y. Railways Attorneys
by limiting Lower Charge
Might Increase Traffic
Clashes With the Mayor
When Accused of Quitting
In He Tells Hylan Latter
Looks Like a Cargoyle

Looks Like a OargOyle
The suggestion that reduction of
fare to four or three cents on the sur
face lines, in order that they might
better compete with the subways and
elevated lines on short haul traffic and
thereby increase revenues to a point
where they might pay expenses, was
made by Borough President Henry H.
Curran of Manhattan at the traction
investigation before the Board Of Es-
innate yesterday. While not taken too
seriously by the representatives of the
New York Railways Company, the sug-
gestion surprised the Mayor and other
members of the board, who showed a
keen interest in the proposition.
Borough President Curran put the
suggestion only in the form OF
query, after considerable testimony had
traffic on the surface lines had grad
ually fallen off with the opening Of
the new subways until the cars were
operated at decided loss on the long
distance runs. Corporation Counsel
Burr had brought out the fact that dur
ing recent years, when the surface COM
pany had put aside the largest sums
for maintenance and reserve, competl-
tion of the rapid transit lines had re-
duced operation costs and wear and
tear, so that the fund for maintenance
should have been less instead of more
than in previous years.
"Just Query
"This may not be entirely pertinent"
said Borough President Curran, but
wanted to ask if it had ever been con-
sidered by anybody-the possibility
that change in the fare of the sur
face railways downward to four or
three cents might have the effect of
taking a good deal of the short haul
traffic out of the subway and from the
elevated roads and putting it on the
surface roads, because of the cheaper
fare and thereby increasing the volume
of the surface road traffic to come
somewhere near paying expenses. in
other words, while a three-cent fare
on the surface roads might come into
competition with fve-cent fare in the
city-owned subway, yet, on the other
hand, Il might have the beneficial
municipal effect of relieving the sub
ways of their present congestion and,
possibly, at the same time providing
sufficient increase in the gross rev.
enues of the surface roads, by giving
them the lions share of the short haul
traffic, to accomplish an amelioraton
of the financial condition of the COM
pany. That is mot a statement. 1t is
only a query"
Colonel Henry L. Stimson, counsel
for the receiver of the New York Rail
ways Company, declared that it would
be O. good suggestion if there was any
margin left in the cost of operation
to reduce fares.
"But the figures we have as to the
actual cost of hauling a passenger" he
said, counting all considerations,
amounted in 1919 to $40 cents for one
passenger, and in the year before 4.99
cents, and 4.97 in 1917"
"The cost depends upon the volume
of traffic." interposed Corporation
tention to this, that Mr.. Minton, in
Philadelphia, in successfully carrying
on the railroads there under a five
cent fare, and this is what I am in
formed hangs in his private office. 1t
reads: High fares make riders walk:
low fares make walkers ride; more
| fares make low fares.'"
Curran-Hylan Tilt
Borough FTeSldenC Ourfan had MS
little tilt with the Mayor later on, when
the latter accused the Republican men,
ber Of the board with Quitting in"
when he, the Mayor, was asking ques-
tions.
every time when I am talking to
people," said the Mayor, glowering,
you have got to butt in on something"
You look like gargoyle," retorted
Mr.. Curran. "You are always looking
down and making faces at people,
Colonel Stimson, counsel for Re-
ceiver Job E. Hedges, labored patiently
during the two sessions of the traction
inquiry to complete the testimony and
docume entary evidence purporting to
show hopeless financial condition of
the surface line company and it's urgent
need of relief through increased fares.
There were continual Interruptions and
sharp clashes and criticisms from the
Mayor, Comptroller Craig and other
members of the board.
IT ilnally reached a point during the
long examination of Frank Samuelson
auditor of the New York Railways.
where the Mayor and the Comptrolie,
disclaimed any further interest in the
testimony. Mr.. Samuelson had been
expressing his opinion as an expert in
regard to certain phases of the financial
status OF the company over the repeated
objections Of the Mayor and Comp
trolier that they didn't want Opinions" :"
but only facts, from which they were
competent to- form their own opinion.
The "errand boy episode" which oc-
cured at the afternoon session between
Mr.. Stimson and Comptroller Craig
amused the audience. 1t followed .
Long discussion on the merits of the
50 per cent gross income which the
company was permitted to set aside
Tor maintenance and reserve by order
OF Judge Mayer of the Federal district
Court. The Comptroller contended. as
we'll as witnesses for the city, that