The New York herald., 1922-10-20
BUS DRIVERS who
DID NOT VOTEFOR
HYLAN LOST JOBS
Discharged Operators Also
Tell of Chance to Buy
Back Their Places.
HAD TO CARRY CROWDS
Congestion of 369 Per Cent.
Worse Than Any Found
in Subway.
ONLY WAY TO PROFIT
Money Made, as by Railroads,
From Those Who Stand,
Is Explanation.
ONLY WAY TO PROFIT

In tho public hearing on city bus
sion yesterday several witnesses swore
that twelve or fourteen operators OF
Comm issioner Whalen's municipal
motor buses were dismissed from their
had not been in position to cast a vote
in the election year ago, which re-
tained Mayor Hylan in the City Hall.
This was done, they testified, under
orders of Mr.. Richter. chief supervisor
for Commissioner Whalen. One Of the
dismissed bus operators swore he was
told by a fellow member of his dis
trict political organization that he
could "get him back in line but that
it would cost him 5000.
Congestion Beats Subway.
There was testimony also that on
the Spring street bus line congestion
at times this month has reached an
overlooking OF 369 per cent. which is
worse crowding than the most ex-
treme congestion noted in the subway
inspections by commission experts.
Four of the former bus operators testi-
bus. over and above all expenses, in
cluding insurance, depreciation allow
ance, gasoline and other maintenance
supplies, ran not infrequently from
s15 to $25 a day.
Peter Ruocco. who is a justice Of the
peace in Paterson, N. J.. testified that
he had operated a bus here for the city
Department OF Plant aud Structures
from November, 1919, until March last.
when he was laid off by Mr.. Richter on
what he was told were "orders from
headquarters" He was Informed he was
discharged because he had not regis
tered last year for the coming election.
and that all non-citizens also were be-
ing discontinued.
Ruocco has a nome in New Jersey, but
on taking his job had yielded to the sug-
gestion that he rent a room in this city
and thus establish New York donicile.
orators were practically all New Jersey
and Connecticut men," the witness said,
''and we all took rooms in this city,"
His bus had cost him about $4,000, he
said. land now 1 can't get cents for
it-no line to run it."
Ruocco testified that while operating
his bus on the Chambers and Madison
streets line his receipts averaged about
$50 a day and his expenses about $40.
bus was good sor only about a year
and half in this kind OF service. The
Jersey witness admitted under examina-
ton by Clarence J. Shearn. counsel to
the commission. that at times his net
profits ran as high as $50 a day.
With bus seating eighteen passen-
gers II was necessary to have as many
persons standing as sitting, he said. in
order merely TO pay expenses of a trip.
Packed Like Herring.
Packed 'em in like sardInes. didn't
you?" asked Mr.. Shearn.
Like herring, we called EN-" replied
the witness. 1T had to be a paving
proposition. We didn't know how long
II might last. and you had to get every
thing that was coming to you. see?"
Under the existing system did you
have to pay any part Of your receipts
10 the City OF New York;
Not a Nickel" the witness an
swered.
Ruocco said O man named Meighan
had come to him after he had been dis
missed and told him that IL he would
buy an $4,000 bus or n certain make
he r~"ld get him reinstated on the most
.~rnttlve line In the city.
Frank Angelioni OF Newark started
bus operating in 1919 About a year
later he heard gossip TO tho effect
that all the men who did not have a
room at least in New York city were
TO be Knocked Off" He rented room
Last March he was informed: "You are
knocked off because you didn't vote"
About month after he had been laid
of, Angelioni testified. a friend offered
to introduce him to "a fellow who was
member of the Pat Paul Club In Grand
street IL you want TO come back on the
GouftuIpd IN paua Etnhf