New-York tribune., 1921-09-17
Elimination Sought of
Two Cent Transfers
Which Increased Rates
During Hylan Regime
Unified System
Of Lines Planned
Governors Suggestions
Followed to Save Situa-
ton Here From Chaos

The Transit Commissions frat "a
port, which will outline a comprehen-
sive plan for the reorganization and
unllicaton Of all subways. elevated
and surface systems in line with Gov
ernor Miller's suggestion that the
clty's transportation must be- rescued
from bankruptcy and rcceiverships.
Will state that under proper manage
ment and freedom from overcapitali-
zatlon the lines can be operated sue
cessluiiy without any change in the
present rate Of fare. The plans Of the
commission in reference to fares. how
ever, are to be only tentative and not
arbitrary in laying down scent tariff
rule, it was learned yesterday.
The report, which was prepared by
George McAneny, lie Roy t. Hardness
and Major General John F. O'Ryan,
the members of the commission, will
be made public early next week. It's
announcement, planned for this after
noon after the Stock Exchange closed.
has been delayed on account Of minor
revisions, it was said yesterday at the
commissions office, 40 Lafayette
Street.
Report Addressed to Public
Containing about 5000 words, the
report will be addressed to the public
with view of making known in ad-
vance just what the commission intends
70 do
it is not the intention Of the commits
sion to delay a prompt execution of
its plans.
The commissions attitude, it was
learned from good authority, is that
the public, being most vitality inter
ested in transportation, has the right
to know what plans are contemplated
on the same day the traction COM
panies learn of the plans. The, COM
mission will announce it's purposes
with full confidence that it will not
please everybody concerned, and conse-
quently it is prepared to hear many
nplaints.
lines will have to make concessions.
said an official yesterday. "It will be
shown that in the last fifty years some
of the systems have been allowed to
drift into a hopeless mess. They may
have to suffer for it now. Hence it is
likely that when the report comes out
there will be much squealing."
Traction experts assert that the
duties of the commissioners were ex-
plicitly pointed out by Governor Miller
when he appointed them, and that the
Governor left no room for doubt when
he said that the public must not be
called upon to pay fares raised merely
to meet dividends on watered stock.
'-~- Plan to Adjust Transfers
Consideration will be given in the
forthcoming report to the increased
burden put on the public by the method
Of charging for transfers. A plan to
eliminate two-cent transfers will he
offered. Mayor Hylan has contended
that he is largely responsible for the
maintenance of the fve-cent fare
the city. He will be shown
in the report that at least one-ffth
of the travelling public, by reason of
transfer charges, pays from seven to
fifteen cents for rides between certain
points.
Latest available figures are for the
year ended July 1, 1920. They show
that 47,380,922 persons paid for trans
lcis' me amount OF money paid in
excess of five cents for fares is esti-
mated to be $45, 100000 yearly.
Officials of the Transit Commission
said yesterday that their report will
not be influenced by the decision of
she Public Service Commission, which
On Thursday refused to sanction an in
crease from six to ten cents in the
fares of the New York State Railways
ines at Utica. The Transit Commits
sion, as the governing board on local
traction questions, is not related to the
Public Service Commission, which deals
with all public utilities in the state
except New York City's transportation.
Members of the two commissions do
lot exchange views and therefore prin-
,iples laid down by one commission are
no way binding on the other, it was
mid