The New York herald., 1922-11-01
SAW WHALEN TO GET
70 CENT BUS ROUTE
West Farms Operator Denies
It's Dummy Line for
TOM O'Neil.
big CHIEF DENOUNCED
Shcarn Holds Department Re-
sponsible for High Rates
Charged.
BIG CHIEF DENOUNCED

Clarence J. Shearn, counsel to the
Transit Commission, in yesterdays
session OF the bus investigation turned
his searchlight upon one of Mayor
Hylan's pet routes. which charges a
fare of twenty cents instead of a
nickel.
The line is between West Farms and
City Island, operated in the name of
the West Farms Bus Corporation, or
ganized last April. It's net receipts
are divided equally. according TO yes
terday's testimony. between the three
men who constitute the corporation,
each holding one-third OF its $4,000
of stock. Concerning two OF these
three incorporators Mr.. Shearn made
the charge openly that they are dunn
mics acting for Under Sheriff Thomas
IL. O'Neil, a Democratic district leader
living at 2557 Poplar street. The
Bronx. lie was formerly Sheriff Of
that county.
Ono OF the operators OF the line testi-
fed that he was introduced by O'Neil
to Grover a. Whalen, Commissioner OF
Plant and Structures. in order TO get
tho permit TO run the line. Mr.. shearn
said by resortlng TO the device OF
getting q permit from a department
that has no authority to issue these
permits. these people are able 70
get the consent OF the Big Chief OF
this bus business TO charge fare OF
twenty cents after securing his consent
through the Intervention Of Tom
O'Neii. the district leader"
Mr. Shearn CARED Ferdinand w.
Frankenberg Of 1871 East i7Sth stree.
! president of the corporation. and tried
in vain to force an admission or the
truth OF this assertion. Frankenberg
denied that two-thirds OF the net re-
cepts go to O'Neil. lie admitted. how
ever. that not a penny of the revenue
goes into the city's Golfers, though the
corporations predecessor, the city
Island Bus Company. had its franchise
revoked by the present city administra-
tion for the ostensible reason that ~
had defaulted In It's guaranty 70 the
municipality.
Gets o'Ncii's Aid.
Frankenberg. under questioning by
George O. Redington. counsel TO the
commission, said a lawyer named Will
lam Heating had fixed up the cor
porate papers for tho West Farms Bus
Corporation II was shown later from
tho municipal civil list that William
4. Heating. a. Bronx lawyer OF $50 East
a26th street, had been appointed on
January /, 1918. counsel 90 tho Sheriff
OF Bronx county at a salary OF S.ooo
= year and still holds that office. while
Tom" O'Neil. the former Sheriff. has
been Under Sheriff since January !,
1870. at $500 year.
who sent Mr.. Heating 10 you to set
up the papers?" asked the examiner.
some friend said no would send me
n good lawyer" replied Frankenbcrg
was that friend Tom O'Ncil?'
asked Mr.. Redlngton.
Il am not sure"
But Il may have been him 2"
Possibly" muttered the witness al
most lnaudibly.
Under patient probing Frankenberg.
who volunteered no information, admit
ted that TON" O'Neil had accompanied
hin, twice 10 the Office OF Commissioner
Grover A. Whalen and had helped him
10 get his permit for bus operation.
"rTe introduced me and went down there
90 sneak for me-" the witness finally
conceded. IL had TO get somebody"
When he was asked whether Keatlng
,yas o'Nell'u lawyer. T'rankenberg
scowled. shufied his feet and said: II
am not sure"
"Did you organize the West Farms
Corporation before you got your per
mitG p
Tho witness said. II believe we did,"
but 10 explained that no steps to or
ranlza were taken until after he and
O'Non had seen Commissioner Whalen.
The Organization.
The corporation was organized IN his
office. 1884 West Farms road. which is
next door 20 Frankenberg's garage. II
waa through the bus drivers OF tho old
line buying supplies at his garage that
the witness became interested In tho
financial possibilities Of bus operation.
The new organization was Effected with
himself as president. with Louis Karsch.
who lives IN Mount Vernon and has real
estate Office there. as secretary, and
Christian Borschsrd, 1850 Zerega
avenue, who r. In the marble tile busi-
ness, az treasurer. lie and these two
other men, the witness testified. COM
prise not only the officers and board OF
directors but also are the sole stock
holders. Neither Karscli nor Borschard
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