The New York herald., 1922-05-13
O'Brien Asks Transit Body
q Look Into B. r. L.
Strike Charges.
QUEENS SHUTTING LIKELY
Grand Central Congestion and
Double Fare May BE Avcrted
by Shuttle Service.

From sources close 20 the Hylan
administration the intimation came
yesterday that the Mayor and other
members of the Board of Estimate had
not received with enthusiasm the sub
way construction program made pub
lie by the Transit Commission and in
volving an expenditure of s21s,00o,-
600.
1t was suggested that the Mayor al
ready had declared that any future
subway lines must be both owned and
operated by the municipality. and
that under no other conditions would
further funds be voted for new con-
structlon by the Board of Estimate.
Not only does the Board of Estimate
hold the city's purse strings but its
approval is essential TO the official
ratification of all the routes recon-
mended through the city streets.
Should 1t assume an obstructive atti-
rude, therefore. it could block or seri-
ously delay action for new transit
facilities. The plan for reorganization
and unification of the city's lines. which
the Transit Commission has adopted as
lts policy, assumes city ownership but
not municipal operation.
b. n. II. Inquiry Finished.
The Transit Commission yesterday fin
ished its inquiry into INADEQUATE service
on the subway and elevated lines of the
brooklyn Rapid Transit Company. Or
ders Tor specific betterments, as in the
case of the Interborough. may be ex-
pected within week or two.
be1ore the case was closed John r.
y Brien. Corporation Counsel, filed a
formal request that the commission spe-
ciai.y investigate his allegation that the
q. II. t. had spent $2,5Oo,00O for the
suppression Of the 1920 strike and also
his charge that in both the B. r.. T.
ana the lnterborough there is an an
nual wastage of $1.500,00O in the man
agcmcnt of their power plants
Gen. John II. O'Ryan. who was pre-
siding, assured the Corporation Counsel
that he would refer the matter to his col
leagues OF the commission. Concerning
the proposed inquiry into strike expendi-
lures Mr.. O'Brien's request was seconded
by Charles h. Buchner. counsel fer the
Nmalgamated Association OF Railway
Employees
William s. Menden. general manager
~ VIC u. H. l., commenced the COM
missions plans for new subway con-
struction. but hoped that nothing would
be permitted to interfere with the COM
pletion OF the long standing project for
the Nassau street tube, which he re-
garded as vital to the expansion OF the
Brooklyn system.
POSTS Not Propaganda.v
There was much sparring between
Mr.. Menden and the Corporation Counsel
over the declaration by the operating
manager that conditions showing 100
standees in the average car in ruah
hours in the B. r. II. service were not
at all unreasonable since additional
track facilities were not forthcoming
from the city. Mr. Menden denied that
the big steel cars used by his line had
been designed and built with their up
right enamelled posts especially to en-
courage standing rather than sitting.
Temporary relief for so per cent. of
the 100000 passengers annually who
travel between Times Square and the
Corona and Astoria extensions from the
Greensboro Bridge Plaza in Long
Island City was foreshadowed.
Under cross-examination by Clarence
J. Shearn. chief counsel for the COM
mission, Mr.. Menden said he would
IcCOHltlcHu 10 l<ifuley ~. darTlSOn, re-
cciver, if the commission should so di-
rect, that his company employ In a
shuttle service it's narrow cars to run
over the Corona and Astoria extensions.
thus furnishing free transfer privileges
10 b. r. T. passengers who now have to
pay an extra fare and change at the
Plaza into Interborough cars.
wouId Cut 42d Street Jam.
This plan, it was said. would shift
into the wide, steel under-river cars of
the Il. r. +. for their ride to and from
the West Side of Manhattan more than
100000 Queens passengers year
who now arrive at the Grand Central
terminus of the Queens extension and
add greatly to the congestion of the
Forty-second street shuttle. Until now
the Interborough has enjoyed a monopol
of the Corona and Astoria service, be-
cause the steel cars which the b. r. T..
uses in its tube service are twelve inches
TOO wide to /be accommodated at the
station platforms OF the Queens extern
sons.
The Transit Commission next Monday
viii begin investigation of service on the
elevated lines OF the Manhattan Railway