The New York herald., 1921-11-15
Examination of Executives
Of Companies Involved
Will Follow.
ECONOMIES ANNOUNCED
Interborough Prepared to
Make Sweeping Changes in
Operating Methods.

ming with to-day cease to be the foot.
ball of municipal politics. With for
NAL examinations, which start this
morning in the off1ces of the Transi,
Commission, 40 Lafayette street, the
commission enters upon a path at the
end Of which. It is hoped, the city viii,
find an orderly and adequate solution
of the chaotic muddle into which its
transportation facilities have been
permitted to slump.
The hearings which are in sense
preliminary, will be held on Tuesdays
Wednesdays and Thursdays OF each
week until further notice. Their pri-
mary purpose is to determine and to
Place upon the record the precise
physical condition OF the eighty or
rrore corporations having a part in
the citys transit systems. Then will
follow evidence similarly to determine
the exact financial condition of each
corporation. After which will begin
rlb.ic hearings to determine the ex-
p9dicncy Of the commissions plan OF
rehabilitation, either as IL now stands
o. as it may be modified before
presentation for formal approval to
the railway companies and to the city
the two chief parties In interest
Purpose OF the Hearings.
George McAneny, in behalf OF the
Commission. made this statement:
Through the examinations opening
supplement the studies and investigations
it has already made with relation to the
affairs Of the various companies. and to
prepare the way for the final formula
ton OF the plan to be submitted both to
the companies and to the city before
adoption. Detailed facts and figures
with reference to present conditions
prepared by the Commissions account
ing and engineering divisions will be
placed CT the record and thus made
public. and the examination Of the
managing officers and other representa-
t'ves OF the companies will follow.
''As tine sessions proceed. the repre-
sentatfves of the companies viii! also be
questioned as to their attitude toward
the particular features OF the plan con-
tanned in the preliminary report given
out by the Commission in September.
Notwithstanding the check placed by
the political campaign upon any disin-
terested discussion Of the preliminary
plan. there has been no interruption ir,
the progress OF the commissions work
Although the date set originally for the
examinations was postponed until after
tho close of the campaign there has
seen. therefore, no net time lost The
work of the Bureau Of Valuations. which
is appraising the various properties
likely to he taken over as parts OF the
unified system the commission has in
view. has been carried forward rapidly
and will be completed before the end Of
the year.
The present examination Of the com.
panies is likely to run also for several
weeks and the work ~ preparing the
firal draft, which will proceed coinci-
IDENTIFY, is expected to be finished shortly
afterward. The remainder Of the pro-
cedure. Including the provision made for
various public hearings. then will be fol-
lowed In the manner the law prescribes
The open hearings. at which civic
bodies and the public generally viii be
heard. will be commenced as soon as the
examination OF the companies has been
concluded. Full opportunity will be af-
forlcd. as each stage OF the inquiry Is
reached. for free and critical discussion,
both OF the principles OF the plan and OF
me administrative mechanism through
which 1t Is to be put into effect"
Attitude of the City.
The commission last night had re-
ceived no communication indica ting tho
attitude Of the municipalities legal rep
resentative. Corporation Counsel John r.
OBrien. but II Is exnected he will either
attend the examination in person or be
represented by a deputy. Mr.. McAneny
declined to Indicate what would be the
attitude OF the commission IL Mr.. OBrien
should desire to cross-examsne the
boards experts or should undertake dila-
tory proceedings as the city's reprcso-
tative.
The d'-vct examination will be con-
ductod by Clarence J. Shearn. special
counsel for the Transit Commission,
TEc"e own experts viii appear first.
The operating officers either Of the Inter
borough or OF the u. II. TIT had not
been determined last night which COM
panv should take prccedence--will next
be called 10 the witness stand. Frank
Hedloy. president and general manager
OF the JBtcroo-ouGh is expected TO be am
important witness.
II became known yesterday that the
lnterborougb. in the hope OF effecting
economies and thereby strengthening Its
plea against the commissions plan OF
unlnca;ion under city control. Is pre-
pairing to announce within few days
sweeping changes In some OF its opera
tive methods. At four OF its subway
stations II has been experimenting sue
ccssfuliy with n coin box device which
viii enable II TO dispense with the SER
vices OF all ticket choppers and also OF
one relief man In the ticket selling
booths at most of its subway and cle-
waited stations. leaving only one attend
art 10 make charge. as is now done on
ne n. r. T. system This economy. "
is said. soon is 10 he introduced through
xut tho whole I. r. 7. systern.
Within year also tho marlborough
has put into operation 1000 OF the rev
type multiple cars. representing about
one-half OF Hs subway service. This
Vas permitted the dropping Of 1000
train guards. 1t is intended TO urge in
the company's behalf that these and
other contemplated economies will 40 cut
Gown operating costs that the Inter
,orougn might yet be able TO get back
upon It's feet as solf-sustaining con-
ccrn.