New-York tribune., 1922-11-01
Operator Of Zoe Line "a.
City island C1ves 66M
Of Profits to Friends Of
O'N'eill, Murphy Leader
Whalen Zones Make
Patrons Pay Twice
City Sends Cars to Help
and They Split 25eo
to Use Public Streets

| 'esssaia2 By s5..-.. 356e s stt33
a strange story Of Juggling the city
out OF Its just dues from bus corpo-
ration hy diverting earning to the
pockets Of cotcrie Of Democratic
politicians and office holders domi-
mated by former Sheriff Thomas II
oNeil, Of the Bronx, was laid before
the Transit Commission yesterday
when Ferdinand w. Frankenberg
president Of the West Farms Bus Corn.
Grafton, testified that he turned owe,
to TWO friends" political associate,
OF O'Neil, ss per cent Of the profits
from his bus line.
This 10 the line that operates q bus
service through fremont Avenue. and
West Farms Road to City Island, at
30 cents ride.
Evade Law for High Fare
Before he was half way through
examining Frankenberg Clarence j
shearn, counsel to the Commission
said:
The commission will take notice Of
the fact that rhis concern is COM
mon carrier and, Of course. properiy
subject to the jurisdiction Of this
commission as to rates Of fare and
charges, and that If the law were com.
pied with, as they started to do in
the case OF the unfortunate Riedl and
speedily ceased doing, and they applied
TO this commission for certificates of
convenience and necessity, it would
be necessary for these concerns to
come directly and voluntarily within
the jurisdiction of this commission.
and this commission would have to fix
the rates and charges as it does in
the case of all other common carriers,
But by resorting to this device Of
getting & permit from department
that has no authority to issue permits
these people are able to get the con-
sent Of the "Big Chiefv of this bus
business i,I to charge fare of 20 cents.
There is one of the mediums and prac-
tical evils Of this situation, that they
can go ato q man who has no real au-
thority what atsoeyer, ard after SECURING
his consent through the iI,tevEenti ION
of Tom O,NeiI, the district ieadAr. aet
aI hermit to shipBs6 q charge of 20
cents on the people Of Tho Bronx.
whereas, II they had complied with the
law, they would have to come here
and make asproper a showing to what
is fair and reasonable. and subject
themselves to the Jurisdiction Of this
commission. s4 $ 9
# Got Permit From Whs.en
Frankenberg's company succeeded
the old City Island Bus Corporation,
which went out of business last April
because, it was learned yesterday by
transit Commission Investigators, it
was unable to comply with the financial
requirements of it's franchise. After it
had given up the ghost Frankenberg's
company took its place, but Franken-
berg did not bother with the details
OF asking for franchise in the regu-
lar way, which would have taken him
TO the Transit Commission for. q cer-
tlficate of convenience and necessity.
He went with former Sheriff O'Neill
10 the office of Grover Whalen. Com.
of Plant and Structures, and
got revocable permit, under which
ne has been operating since last April.
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,
when the bus equipment of the Frank
snberg company was inadequate to
handle the business, Frankenberg told
Whaien's office and various busses on
lines were detailed to
Frankenberg's line, and Frankenberg
md his associates collected from them
is per cent Of their earnings, which
went into the treasury of the COM
oany. but no part Of 1t to the city.
Couldn't Open Own safe~
Mr.. Shearn wanted 70 know all about ]
The finances Of the Frankenberg COM
oany when the president of the con-
.ern was on the stand, but when he
asked to see the checkbook and other
account books Frankenberg, who had
oeen subp@naed to bring them along
20 the hearing. fabbergasted Mr.. 1
5hearn by telling him that he coald
not get into his own safe, as he hadn't
The comb inaticn.
He also testified that he did not keep
ais Cancelled checks, but destroyed them
rs fast as they came back from the
bank.
At the close Of Fgankenberg's grill
ing yesterday afternoon he was told
1y Captain Redington, of counsel to
he Transit Commission, to return to-
lay with his books. ST
And you had better ask Tom O,Neil
FOR the combination of the SAFE said
Mr.. Shearn as parting shot.
Frankenberg testified that his COM 4
,any has capital Of $40 600, ond that
t is owned in three equal shares By
iimself, Louis Karsch, secretary,
tcontsusa on pass aye)