ACCOUNTS OF THE COMMISSION. Accounting System. [The Commission should have a simple system of accounts so that any citizen may ascertain how money is being spent.] Commissioner Maltbie presented the following report upon system of the Commission, which was approved. REPORT UPON ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. To the Public Service Commission for the First District: accounting SIRS. Soon after the Commission took office it was found that the system of accounts used by the Rapid Transit Commission would need to be altered and extended considerably to adapt it to the needs of the Public Service Commission with its much larger field of work and its varied activities. whom the matter was referred, I beg to submit the following report: As the committee to Upon recommendation, the Commission authorized the employment of Mr. J. R. MacNeille of the Investors' Agency to go over the system of accounts used by the Rapid Transit Commission, to examine the organization created by the Commission, to examine the Public Service Commissions Law, and to prepare a system of accounts, forms of books, vouchers and other necessary papers and such instructions for the handling of the financial affairs of the Commission as would be in conformity with the best modern accounting practice. The importance of having as simple a system of accounts as could be devised so that any citizen might easily ascertain how the money was being spent was emphasized. Mr. MacNeille has prepared and submitted five reports upon different phases of the subject, which I transmit herewith. the accounting work have been prepared, have been approved by me and are now The blank forms and books necessary for in use. The accounts of the Commission have been kept upon the new plan since January 1st of this year and the detailed instructions to the auditor of the Commission and his assistants have just been approved. classification and methods will be followed from year to year regardless of the With these in force the same changes that may occur in the personnel, and the annual report will contain a statement of receipts and expenditures in such a form that any citizen may ascertain the sources of all income and the purposes for which the money appropriated by the city has been expended. Respectfully submitted, April 10, 1908. (Signed) MILO R. MALTBIE, MISCELLANEOUS ORDERS. Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company.- Freight yards near Vanderbilt avenue. Final Order No. 462. Hearing Order No. 492. Opinion of Commissioner McCarroll. Final Order No. 566. In the Matter of the Hearing on the motion of the Commission on the question of improvement in and additions to the service and equipment of the STATEN ISLAND RAPID TRANSIT RAILWAY COMPANY. FINAL ORDER No. 462. This matter coming on upon the report of the hearing had herein on the 22d day of November, 1907, and it appearing that the said hearing was held by and * See footnote, page 9. FIRST DISTRICT. pursuant to an order of this Commission, made November 8, 1907, and returnable on the 22d day of November, 1907, and that the said order was served upon the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, and that the said service was by it duly acknowledged, and that the said hearing was held by and before the Commission on the matters in said order specified, on November 22, 1907, before Commiss.oner McCarroll, presiding, Abel E. Blackmar, Esq., appearing for the Commission, Joseph P. Cotton, Esq., appearing for the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, and by adjournment duly had November 26, 1907, and by adjournment duly had on December 3, 1907, and by adjournment duly had on December 10, 1907, at all of which adjourned sessions Arthur DuBois, Esq., appearing for the Commission, and Joseph P. Cotton, Esq., appearing for the railways, Mr. Commissioner Eustis presiding at the session of December 3, 1907, and Mr. Commissioner McCarroll presiding at all other adjourned sessions, and proof having been taken at all of said sessions, and it further appearing that on January 24, 1908, Order No. 217 was made by the Commission and duly served upon the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, which order was made without prejudice to further action by the Commission in respect of anything therein prescribed, or in respect of anything covered by the order for hearing on which the said Order No. 217 was made; Now, the Commission being of the opinion after the proceedings upon said hearing that the regulations, practices, equipment, appliances and services of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, in respect to transportation of persons and property in the First District, have been and are in certain particulars unsafe. unreasonable, improper and inadequate, and in the judgment of the Commission certain changes, improvements and additions thereto being such as ought reasonably to be made in the manner below set forth in order to promote the security or convenience of the public or of its employees, or in order to secure adequate service and facilities for the transportation of passengers and property, and it being the judgment of the Commission that the changes, additions and improvements in regulations, equipment, appliances and service of the said company as below set forth are such as are just, reasonable, safe, adequate and proper and ought reasonably to be made to promote the security and convenience of the public and employees, and the Commission being informed by the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company that the said Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company had carefully considered the situation and would on an order from the Commission transfer their freight business from the side-track at Bay street to the. Vanderbilt avenue yard. Therefore it is ordered: 1. That the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company remove its freight business now being conducted at the freight yard just east of Bay street and opposite Townsend avenue, Clifton, to the yard located east of Bay street and about one hundred and fifty feet north of Vanderbilt avenue and extending therefrom north about five hundred and seventy-five feet. 2. That the movement of the locomotives from the locomotive storage yard opposite Simonson avenue, Clifton, into and out of service, be discontinued across Bay street as far as it may be practicable to do so by introducing said locomotives into service from the northern end of the yard. And it is further ordered, That this order shall take effect on May 15th, 1908, and shall continue in force for a period of two years from and after the taking effect of the same, but without prejudice to an order for further or additional hearings and action thereon by the Commission in respect of anything herein prescribed prior to the expiration of said period of two years. And it is further ordered, That before May 13, 1908. the said Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company notify the Public Service Commission for the First District whether the terms of this order are accepted and will be obeyed. Orders 492. 537 and 566 while appearing to constitute a separate proceeding were in effect a continuation of the above matter. In the Matter Hearing on the motion of the Commission on the Freight Yards near Vanderbilt Avenue. HEARING ORDER No. 492. It is hereby ordered that a hearing be had on the 25th day of May, 1908, at 10:30 o'clock in the forenoon, or at any time or times to which the same may he adjourned. at the rooms of the Commission, No. 154 Nassau street, in the borough of Manhattan, city and State of New York, to inquire whether the regulations, equipment and appliances of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, in respect to the transportation of passengers and property in the First District, are unsafe, unreasonable, improper or inadequate and whether changes, improvements and additions thereto ought reasonably to be made in the manner below set forth in order to promote the security or convenience of the public or employees or in order to secure adequate service and facilities for the transportation of passengers and property and if such be found to be the fact, then to determine whether a change, addition or improvement of regulations, equipment, appliances and service, as hereinafter set forth is such as would be just, reasonable, safe, adequate and proper and ought reasonably to be made in order to promote the security and convenience of the public or employees and in order to secure adequate service or facilities for the transportation of passengers and property in the First District, that is to say: 1. That the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company remove its freight business now being conducted at the freight yard just east of Bay street and opposite Townsend avenue, Clifton, to the yard located east of Bay street and about one hundred and fifty feet north of Vanderbilt avenue and extending therefrom north about five hundred and seventy-five feet. 2. That the movement of the locomotives from the locomotive storage yard opposite Simonson avenue, Clifton, into and out of service be discontinued across Bay street as far as it may be practicable to do so, by introducing said locomotives into service from the northern end of the yard. 3. That such other changes be made in the arrangement of freight yards and in the switching of locomotives, as may be necessary to prevent or reduce to a minimum the use of the railroad tracks across Bay street for the switching of locomotives and freight cars in or near the Clifton freight yard. And if any such changes, improvements and additions be found to be such as ought to be made as aforesaid, then to determine what period would be a reasonable time within which the same, should be directed to be executed. ̧ All to the end that the Commission may make such order or orders in the premises as shall be just and reasonable. Further ordered, That the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company be given at least three (3) days' notice of such hearing by service upon it either personally or by mail of a certified copy of this order and that at such hearing said company be afforded all reasonable opportunity for presenting evidence and examining and cross-examining witnesses as to the matters aforesaid. Hearings were held May 25th and 26th. COMMISSIONER MCCARROLL :—— OPINION OF COMMISSION. (Adopted May 29, 1908.) Your committee to whom was referred several matters on the subject of complaints of organizations and citizens in Staten Island, would report: Perhaps the most serious matter which has been considered by the committee is the one of the operation of the steam railroads of the Staten Island Railway Company across the highway known as Bay street. The interruptions to travel have been very serious, being oftentimes quite prolonged and resulting in inconvenience and loss to the public. It has also been a point of great danger notwithstanding the precautions which have been taken by the railway company to protect the people. The borough officials and the citizens have from time to time during nearly twenty years of this operation been endeavoring to secure a remedy, but seem to have been unable to reach it. By direction of your committee a thorough investigation was undertaken both by the Bureau of Inspection and the Electrical Engineer's Department; both Mr. McLimont and Mr. Turner have given their personal attention and examination, and they have had frequent observations and inspections made by their staff. In conference with Mr. Tribus, the Commissioner of Public Works in the Borough of Richmond, and others, a plan for the removal of the difficulty was found. Conferences by your committee were held with the railway company, represented by its president, Mr. George Campbell. Following them, the hearings were given on order of the Commission, and your committee now recommends the issuance of a final order which accompanies this report. This order involves the removal by the company of its switching operations to a new part of their premises, which will, to a very large extent, if not entirely, remove the danger and inconvenience of the previous mode of operation. It will restore the use of the highway to the people of the borough without any serious interruption, and, of course, at the same time remove the danger that was necessarily involved in these operations. Serious complaint has also been made as to the inadequate service rendered by the Staten Island Railway Company and the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company. The companies, on representation of your committee, have indicated their readiness to remedy this, but upon the issuance of the summer time table, under Vol. II 24 date of May 20th, it was found that there was not the increase of service anticipated, and that other changes were made which had resulted in inconvenience to the traveling public. Your committee presented these complaints to the companies with the urgency that they should be met and remedied. After a conference the railway companies have agreed to restore some trains that were taken off which were important for the convenience of travelers and by stopping some other trains at points on the schedule which the trains previously had passed. It is believed that all due accommodations will be given and that the public will be well served. No further action is therefore required in any of these matters. The question of fare has been already acted upon by the Commission. An order was adopted by the Commission at yesterday's meeting providing for a public hearing on July 8th. Thereupon the following final order was issued: FINAL ORDER No. 537. This matter coming on upon the report of the hearing had herein on the 25th day of May, 1908, and it appearing that the said hearing was held by and pursuant to an order of this Commission made May 15, 1908, and returnable on May 25, 1908, and that the said order was duly served upon the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, and that the said service was by it duly acknowledged, and that the said hearing was held by and before the Commission on the matters in said order specified on May 25, 1908, before Mr. Commissioner McCarroll, presiding, Arthur DuBois, Esq., assistant counsel, appearing for the Commission, Edward B. Bruce, Esq., appearing for the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, and proof having been taken, and by adjournment duly had on May 26, 1908, George H. Campbell, Esq., appearing for the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, and Arthur DuBois for the Commission, Now, it being made to appear after the proceedings upon said hearing that the regulations, equipment, appliances and service of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company in respect to the transportation of persons and property in the First District have been and are in certain respects unsafe, unreasonable, improper and inadequate, and that changes and improvements thereto ought reasonably to be made in the manner below set forth, in order to promote the security or convenience of the public, and it appearing that the changes and improvements as below set forth are such as are just, reasonable, safe, adequate and proper, and ought reasonably to be made to promote the security and convenience of the public. Therefore, on motion of George S. Coleman, Esq., counsel to the Commission, It is ordered, 1. That the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company remove its freight business now being conducted at the freight yard just east of Bay street and opposite Townsend avenue, Clifton, to the yard located east of Bay street and about one hundred and fifty feet north of Vanderbilt avenue and extending therefrom north about five hundred and seventy-five feet. 2. That the movement of the locomotives from the locomotive storage yard opposite Simonson avenue, Clifton, into and out of service be discontinued across Bay street as far as it may be practicable to do so, by introducing said locomotives into service from the northern end of the yard. And it is further ordered, That this order shall take effect on June 15, 1908, and shall continue in force for a period of two years from and after the taking effect of the same, but without prejudice to an order for further or additional hearings and action thereon by the Commission in respect of anything covered by the order for hearing prior to the expiration of said period of two years, and it is Further ordered, That Order No 462, made and filed in the office of the Commission on May 5, 1908, be and the same hereby is in all respects abrogated. Further ordered, That before June 30, 1908, the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company notify the Public Service Commission for the First District whether the terms of this order are accepted and will be obeyed. ORDER No. 566, MODIFYING ORDER No. 537. June 9, 1908. The Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, having applied in writing on June 2, 1908, for a change and modification in Order No. 537 heretofore made on May 29. 1908, and the Commission being of opinion that Order No. 537 for the improvement in and addition to the service and equipment of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company in respect to the freight yards near Vanderbilt avenue, Clifton, Staten Island, should be changed and modified in certain particulars, Ordered, That Order No. 537 made May 29, 1908, be and the same hereby is changed and modified to read as follows: FINAL ORDER No. 537. This matter coming on upon the report of the hearing had herein on the 25th day of May, 1908, and it appearing that the said hearing was held by and pursuant to an order of this Commission made May 15, 1908, and returnable on May 25, 1908, and that the said order was duly served upon the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, and that the said service was by it duly acknowledged, and that the said hearing was held by and before the Commission on the matters in said order specified on May 25, 1908, before Mr. Commissioner McCarroll presiding, Arthur DuBois, Esq., assistant counsel, appearing for the Commission, Edward B. Bruce, Esq., appearing for the Staten Island Rapid Transit Kailway Company, and proof having been taken, and by adjournment duly had on May 26, 1908, George H. Campbell, Esq., appearing for the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, and Arthur DuBois for the Commission. Now it being made to appear after the proceedings upon said hearing that the regulations, equipment, appliances and service of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company in respect to the transportation of persons and property in the First District have been and are in certain respects unreasonable, improper and inadequate, and that changes and improvements thereto ought reasonably to be made in the manner below set forth, in order to promote the security or convenience of the public, and it appearing that the changes and improvements as below set forth are just, reasonable, safe, adequate and proper, and ought reasonably to be made to promote the security and convenience of the public. Therefore, on motion of George S. Coleman, Esq., Counsel to the Commission, It is ordered, 1. That the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company remove its freight business now being conducted at the freight yard just east of Bay street and opposite Townsend avenue, Clifton, to the yard located east of Bay street and about one hundred and fifty feet north of Vanderbilt avenue and extending therefrom north about five hundred and seventy-five feet. 2. That the movement of the locomotives from the locomotive storage yard opposite Simonson avenue, Clifton, into and out of service be discontinued across Bay street as far as it may be practicable to do so, by introducing said locomotives into service from the northern end of the yard. And it is Further ordered, That said order shall take effect on June 30, 1908, and shall continue in force for a period of two years from and after the taking effect of the same, but without prejudice to an order for further or additional hearings and action thereon by the Commission in respect of anything covered by the order for hearing herein prior to the expiration of said period of two years, and it is Further ordered, That Order 462, made and filed in the office of the Commission on May 5, 1908, be and the same hereby is in all respects abrogated. Further ordered, That before June 15, 1908, the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company notify the Public Service Commission for the First District whether the terms of this order are accepted and will be obeyed. Brooklyn Heights Railroad Company.- Hours of labor of train dispatchers and tower switchmen on the Bridge Division. In the Matter Hearing on the motion of the Commission on the question of improvements in the service of the BROOKLYN HEIGHTS RAILROAD COMPANY in respect to employment of train dispatchers and tower switchmen on the Bridge Division. HEARING ORDER No. 503. It is hereby ordered, That a hearing be had on the 29th day of May, 1908, at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon, or at any time or times to which the same may be adjourned, at the rooms of the Commission. No. 154 Nassau street, in the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, State of New York, to inquire whether the regulations, equipment and service of the Brooklyn Heights Railroad Company in respect to the transportation of persons in the First District are unjust, unreasonable, unsafe, improper or inadequate, and if such be found to be the fact then to determine whether it is and will be just, reasonable, safe, adequate and proper regulation and practice to direct that the hours of labor for the following employees be limited to not more than eight hours in each day of twenty-four hours: 1. Two Brooklyn train dispatchers. 2. Two Park row train dispatchers. 3. Three tower switchmen at Tillary street. 4. Three tower switchmen in the dividing switch tower situate about one hundred and fifty feet west of the Brooklyn terminal. 5. Three tower switchmen in the Park row terminal. And if any such changes, improvements or additions be found to be such as ought to be made as aforesaid, then to determine what period will be a reasonable time in which the same should be directed to be executed. All to the end that the Commission may make such order or orders in the premises as shall be just and reasonable. |