The New York herald., 1921-09-30

ine report makes no charge against
the Hylan administration. but il does
show that In the last three years, while
traffic has increased 25 per cent. Ia
cilities whose provision were in the hands
OF the Hylan administration have in
creased only ) per cent. it shows that
surface car fares, through abolition of
transfer points. have Increased 20 per
cent. and subway and elevated fares a
like percentage through taxation by rea-
son of the city's failure TO obtain a re-
turn upon its subway investments; that
mo plans whatever have been made for
the building of additional subways": that
within the last five months even the
completion of the still unfinished parts
or the dual system has been blocked at
| important points through the failure of
the Board of Estimate and Apportion-
ment to approve pending contracts or to
vote the necessary funds"
Commission Statement In Full.
The full statement and outline of the
commission Is as follows:
SEPTEMBER 20, 1921.
The Transit Commission, appointed
under the provisions OF Chapter 134 Of
the Laws OF 1921. has a threefold func-
| ton. Succeeding to the powers and
duties of the former Transit Construc..
ton Commissioner, 1t is charged with the
planning and building of rapid transit
railways and with the completion of the
s5c.000.000 of subway work still under
construction. AS the successor, also of
the Public Service Commission for the
First district. 1t has supervisory and
regulatory power over all lines. rapid
transit or otherwise, operated within the
city limits. Finally, and in particular,
il is required, after making the neces-
sary studies and investigation. to pre-
pare plan for the relief of the present
intolerable transit conditions, and for the
radical and permanent reorganization OF
the entire transit system.
The act under which the commission
is proceeding sets forth Gin Section 1863
that the plan of reorganization IS to ef-
| feet the following purposes
/ s(1) The combination, rehabilita-
| ton, improvement and extension OF
existing railroads so that service
thereon may be increased and inn
proved to the fullest extent possible.
/ "(2) the receipt, as soon as prac-
ticablc, by the city, of sufficient re-
turns from the operation of the rail-
roads so that the corporate stock or
bonds issued by the city for the con-
struction of rapid transit railroads
! may be exempted in computing the
debt mourning power OF the city un-
der the Constitution OF the State. and
"(3) the assuring TO the people OF
the city the continued operation of
the railroads at the present or low
est possible fares consistent with the
just valuations OF the railroads and
their safe and economical operation"
The act leaves to the discretion OF
the commission the determination as to
which railroad properties snail DC
brought within a unified system. 1t
provides further that the commission
shall determine whether. in including
| roads not already owned by the city,
full title to their properties shall be
transferred to the city. In anticipation
of such an extension of municipal
ownership the commission is required
to revalue each of the roads likely to
be affected. 1t is directed to give con-
sideration, in the process OF valuation
to certain designated principles: but II
Is left free to give final weight only to
such elements either OF cost or Valuation
as 1t may deem pertinent-to secure, In
short, whatever terms it may deem
fairest TO the city.
Survey Made Independently.
The process of initial valuation of so
vast group of properties has neces-
sarily proved a lengthy one. especially
as the commission determined to secure
for it's guidance original figures pre-
pared by its own forces, without de-
pendence upon appraisals previously
made whether for the city, the courts
! or the companies. Rapid progress has.
| nevertheless, been made. Within week
of taking Office the commission organ
ized a bureau of valuations. employing
an engineering ane accounting STAFF OF
some two hundred. Compilations OF the
cost of the properties comprising the
dual system that have been years in
arrears have been brought to date, and
with the active cooperation of the COM
panies in the preparation OF reliable
inventories final figures covering all
roads will be IN hand by the end OF
the year.
The commission has also, through its
bureau of accounts, made a comprehen-
sve analysis OF the finances and operat-
ing results of each Of the roads, giving
particular attention to their present
ability to maintain adequate operating
service.
It has had in conference from time to
time the operating officials of each COM
pany likely to be included within its
plan. including the receivers and repre-
sentatives of receivers of roads in the
custody Of the courts. 1t has conferred
also with the various committees and
groups representing classes OF securities
1
tort and contract creditors.
Public Hearings TO BE Held.
1t is proposed to institute a series of
public inquiries. the first Of which will
be set for an early date. at which the
several companies will be subjected TO
further examination In relation to their
affairs. and in particular as to their
attitude toward the plan, and at which
opportunity will be afforded for criti'
cism and constructive suggestion. In
conducting these inquiries the Commits
sion. under the law has all the powers
OF a committee OF the Legislature.
Until these public examinations have
been held, bearing, as they Will. upon
matters of important detail, and until
the work of valuation is finished. the
Commission viii not undertake to pre-
sent In complete form what might be
termed the statutory plan. From the
study and investigation already made.
however. 1t has reached certain definite
conclusions as TO the general form the
plan will take, and as to the principles
that will underlie IL. In its opinion. the
public interest will be served, and its
own subsequent labors assisted. II the
/ plan. in outline. is presented without
delay for open discussion.
There has been no advance presenta-
ton of the plan 20 any OF the companies,
though their officers were Informed
shortly after the Commission took office