New-York tribune., 1921-02-15
City Facing
$2O,OOO,OOO
Suit by B. R. T.
tccn,'nued from pass enc,

ordered to confer with the Public
Service Commission with view to
finding relief.
The threat &c the receiver to dis
tont'nue the local trolley service over
the William sburg Bridge if the city is
permitted to run cars on II was re-
pested TO the court by Colonel William
n Dykman. counsel for the company
which operates the bridge cars.
I'VE shall cease our service as soon
as the city starts it's service said
declared that the trolley cars are OBJ
sclete. Still the Board of Estimate
has authorized 100000 for trolley
cars and barns"
Mayor Sees Only Debts
Mayor Hylan and Mr.. Craig, who
have been at loggeIheads over the, con-
duet of the city's financial affairs,
spoke at the Tammany meeting, which
was called by Senator James j. Walker,
Democratic minority leader. but the
Mayor did not enter the chamber until
MIR Craig had departed. The swing
door rad hardly closed on Mr.. Craig
before it opened to admit the Mayor.
The Mayor injected new feature IN
MS attack or the Governors pan by
asserting that if the traction inter
esrs were permitted 70 retain their
III nGe ! u " upcn the city'A trans
oortation facilities Che city would soon
have nothing but debts. "The only
thing left for the people to do then
lie concluded, "win be to return tho
.hsrter to the state Legislature"
Mr.. Craig explained the purpose Of
his bill wou d be to make it impossible
Ear any upsaate commission & con-
troi the city's tnanst lines. He added
hnt the city authocit es were "even
preparing to put the issue to the test
re -0rendum,"
"Do you think the Covernor has am
IT isgiTings about the onstitutionalty
Of his proposed legislation?" asked
Senator Walker.
"After reading the transit message
nerefully," replied Mr.. Craig, "and the
Governors letter to General Bridgman
celebrating his proposa S, ! should say
the Governor has very grave doubts
rs to the constilu tionality of the meas
ures he espoGses.
Determined on Fare Raise
"Iet US not be deceived. The Inter
borough is determined to raise it's fare
yonl to 10 Gems. The company's
own figures show that it can carry
passenger for 27 cents, not countinr
the overhead and cost of franchises.
j u
2 cents a passenger above he opera
ion cost and have $40 900 900 avail. Ole
each year for new subway construc-
ton.
ut has been asserted that the city
has reached its borrowing limit. That
s not true. At the beginning of next
month the city's debt limit will be
$3.50, 100000. The Interborougll, on the
other hand, cannot borrow money at
;. cent. although tie rate may be
half that amount"
abandonment of the north and so,th
surface lines was urged by Mr. Craig.
lie declared that most of them were
obsolete, paralleled by SURVEYS or e'e-
Tatcd lines and Were an obstruction
to traffic "These lines no longer serve
any eful purpose" he said. "The
c!ty should be empowered to remove
them. The 90 truction to traffic caused
by the operation of the lines under
he receivership OF JOB f. Hedges costs
"'tv untold millions annually in
tracking charges and in the movement
.er tAAinc conveying food and
merchandise.
Stripped of all its rhetoric and ad-
vice Governor Miller's plan is moth
ng other than an increased fare plan,
which all che companies have been
contending for since the big traction
drive" said Mr. Craig.
The Mayor referred to the Cover
nor's letter TO General Bridgman, say
ing: "The papers now report that
chere has been change in the pro-
gram al Albany, that New York City
shall have a voice in the solution Of
the traction problem, hut it is only
to he advisory and with no veto
power. This is all the home rule that
New York City will be allowed to ex-
ercse in it's transit matters if the
Albany program goes through. The
100000 people Of the city entertain
? ve"v different idea Of the measure
of home rule to which they are en-
1T eu and should be allowed to exer-
else"