New-York tribune., 1920-03-13
transit Lines
Quit Fare
Fight Here
tihdraw Plea for In.
neasc From Board of
Estimate; To Seek Re.
lief From Legislature
Discourtesy Said
10 Be Chief Cause
Mayer Advises Action;
sdmson Calls Hylan's
Explanation'PureBunk'

oSSAsA ~A g
| Explanation'PureBunk'
M traction companies yesterday
nss.up & their fight before tho Board
sfEssamate for increased fares. In
dmt formal statements counsel for
= receivers Of the various compa-
III notiied Mayor Hylan, as chair
8. u the board, that they had been
infucted by Judge julius M.
Msyer, Of the Federal District
Court to withdraw their petitions
tor relief, and would not again ap-
,.ar at the traction hearings before
lie board.
While no further explanation of
Tie sudden withdrawal Of the COM
p,nies was given by counsel, the re-
sivers or the court, it is understood
! tAss the underlying reason was al
Iced discourteous treatment on the
p,ft Of members Of the Board of
Eamate, particularly the Mayor
and Comptroller Craig. during the
hearings at the traction investiga-
ton. The point had been reached, it
was said, where the traction repre-
seatasives did not propose volun-
trly to submit themselves further
10 such treatment.
They felt that the hearings we're not
conducted by the city officials with
sny serious intention of considering
fitsir petitions for relief, but merely
is the purpose of discrediting the
Enpanies. The Interporough Rapid
transit Company did not formally
slhdraw its petition, but only because
was explained, its case had been
completed before the Board of Esti.
nsss' The companies are now expect
NO concentrate all their efforts for
'sHf upon the Legislature, where bills
sse Hading giving the Public Service
Commission power to increase fares.
Stimson Leads Withdrawal
,eacnel Henry L. Stimson, counsel
fr Receiver Job E. Hedges Of the New
scx Railways Company (the surface
mel who has been the particular tar
get for the thrusts of the Mayor and
Comptroller at recent hearings, was
'ts inst to notify the Mayor Of his
Efhdrawal. His note to the Mayor fol-
ass:
BY direction of Judge Mayer, Of
ne United States District Court, l
Heg to inform you that I shall not
anticipate in any further hearings
y your board upon the subject of
;he affairs Of the New York Railways
company. By the same direction the
oe'tlon flled with the board on jan
utsyr9 BY Mr.. Hedges as receiver of
.aa! company is hereby withdrawn.
ouca 1urther investigation into the
taa'fs OF that property as your
9oafo may desire to make will not
attended by counsel for the re-
Andley N. Garrison, receiver for the
lsppk!yn Rapid Transit system, and
.snss .a <. Sheffield, trustee in bank
iptey for the Interborough Consoli-
s"sd s;ss !. Cooperation, the holding corpora
hvu 70! the subways, elevated and sur
~ Nnes Of the Interborough, sent
'.rlsal communications to the Mayor
,H SHcnpfoller Craig declared that the
..A .aaIswal OF the petitions would not
~ sne Investigation. The action Of
~ Nee'vers pursuant to the instruc-
",as q the court, he said, would not
rasss the power Of the Board Of Esti-
iasM p subpoena witnesses and con-
SSus sns inquiry. Corporation Coun-
T. PUN, who has been conducting the
'"nnss Tor the city, is Ill at home.
n5Isn Thinks He Knows Reason
aver Hylan. upon receiving Colonel
sHs0as wsas letter, Issued q statement in
.sua Tsa as inferred that the withdrawal
Ms New York Railways Company
M pe due to their reluctance to
ssuse certain important information
sAe Corporation Counsel had asked
VsYorstion Counsel Burr made f,
snt At the last hearing for the
wsencn wsse OF important information
~ never appeared before at these
ssass," said the Mayor. "The trac-
senpauy promised to have this in
Tss1on at the next hearing. But
masf the withdrawal is due to this
S%sss I don't know"
c.as caaen told Of the Mayors statement
Stimson characterized it a.
ns.s ~ punk" He pointed out that he
i H.. ss.s9 sae last hour Of tho last hearing
putting in evidence all of the in.
ms.on and data that had been re.
s'.;a ms Il oy the Corporation Counsel
NJ aas other minor items to which
had referred as not having
,.ss. 81, presented were all a matter od
esssea.snd ea snd available to the Corporation
III a L. Guardia, President Of tn.
m Aldermen, said he was sorr,
si,,,ss ,sompanies had withdrawn thei1
s'as. He thought it. was essentia
aennite solution be obtained.
sS0sn President Curran's commen,
;Sasat see why anybody should sub
Xtsself to the discourtesies and In
Gasssalrin GSal insults Of the Mayor and tn.
'ioiier unless he is compelled to.
U0ipy1 1ovI nv