New-York tribune., 1920-01-17
City Takes Step
TO Bar Staten
Island Tie-Up
Injunction Compelling Cars
to Continue Operation Is
To Be Sought To-day;
Receivership Is Proposed
Bus Service Authorized
Whalen Ready to Provide
Sufficient Jitneys for All
Residents, He Announces

Ouluclcnt JltncyS Tor All
Residents, He Announces
The city took steps yesterday to pre-
vent the threatened shutdown of the
Staten Island t<olley service at mid
night Sunday. Corporation Counsel
Burr was instructed by the Board of
Estimate to apply for an injunction
against the Midland Railroad Company,
compelling continuance of the surface
cars. If necessary, in addition to the
injunction, which will be sought to-
day, receivership Of the lines will be
asked to protect the city's interests.
Grover Whalen, Commissioners of
Plant and Structure, was authorized by
the board to prepare to place from fifty
to one hundred busses on Staten Island
should legal means fail and the trolleys
stop running. Commissioner Whalen
said he was prepared to invade Rich
mond with as large fleet of Hylan jit-
neys as was found necessary. The
board adopted resolution authorizing
Mr.. Whalen to run buses on Staten ISL
and until March 81 if the shutdown
takes place.
City Wants to Operate Buses
Comptroller Craig said, after the
meeting, that the city was fighting the
suspension because it really wanted to
place city-owned busses, instead of lit
neys. on Staten Island, and that it
would take some time to make the
transition. The Comptroller said that
the Midland company was in the cty's
debt for large sum 50: paving be-
tween its tracks, and that.ths debt was
the ground of the city's action.
The proposed shut-dow followed The
refusal Of the Board Of Estimate, a
week ago to grant seven-cent fare
recommended by committee of citi-
zens, headed by Louis l.. Trbus, ap-
pointed oy Lewis Nixon, Public Service
commissioner. The Recommendation
was put over for yesterdays meeting
OF the board, but posting of the COM
panys announcement of it's plans
forced the city officials to adopt more
vigorous measures.
Wont Be Bulldozed," Says Hylan
When the application of Commits
sioner Whalcn for an appropriation to
build 100 buses, at q cost Of S570. 600.
came up. Comptroller Craig wanted the
matter referred to the traction inves-
tigaton.
"Ihls bus matter has nothing to do
with the traction investigation" Mayor
Hylan retorted. eve want to take
some action now. We're not going to
be tied up in this town by the traction
interests. I won't be bulldozed by the
traction crowd. They're closing down
the lines, and the people want trans
portation, and it is the duty of this
board to give them busses or other
means of transportation
The appropriation was held over for
another week. 1t is understood that
Commissioner Whalen is getting to-
gcther more concrete details of the bus
plan, which calls for an annual ex-
penditure of $635,o00 on the part Of
the city for upkeep, insurance, depre-
clat'on, operating expenses, salaries
and fixed charges.
Clash Over Courthouse
The board meeting was cnlivcncd by
a spirited set-to between Henry II. Cur
ran. the Republican Borough President
OF Manhattan; Comptroller Craig and
Mayor Hylan. When the proposed
Courthouse project was introduced in
the course of routine. Mr.. Curran
asked where he could see the resolu-
ton and the report appropriating
$7,000,000 for the construction of tho
new building.
AS near as I can ascertain, money
was appropriated for this purpose with
out even piece of paper to show how
and where it was voted" Mr.. Curran
said. 81 went to the office of the Sec
retary of the board, and he told me
ne did not have it in his possession,
but that it was in the Comptroller's
Office
every matter to which you refer is
matter of record" Mr.. Craig retorted.
Everybody has seen it but YOU"
When Mr.. Curran still protested
Mayor Hylan shouted angrily:
"The public knows all about it, Don't
be an obstructionst"
At the end Of the meeting Mr.. Curran
again asked Mr.. Craig when he could
see the courthouse records.
ANY time you want to come into nv
office" Mr. Craig said
make it 1880 to-day" Mr.. Craig re-
piled.
"You know that's when I 80 out to
get bite" Mr.. Craig said
GAS a matter of fact, don't believe
they're in. the Comptroller's Office"
Mr.. Craig said, ending the controversy.
without receiving denial.