TRACKLESS TROLLEY FAVORITISM DENIED

The New York Times
November 22, 1922

Expert Resents Hint That Partiality Guided Change in Specifications.

CLASHES WITH COUNSEL

Testifies Alteration Followed an Inquiry Showing Defects in Buses.

Unsuccessful efforts were made yesterday at the hearing before the Transit Commission to show that the changes in specifications for buses on the "trackless trolley" lines on Staten Island were to let in the Imperial bus, manufactured by the Trackless Transportation Corporation, and keep out the buses made by the Atlas Bus Corporation. The changes in specifications were made by the Department of Plant and Structures after the city had purchased seven Atlas buses for its initial "trackless trolley" operation. Professor Morton Arendt of Columbia University, expert for the Department of Plant and Structures, was the principal witness examined.

"Now, Dr. Arendt," said former Justice Clarence J. Shearn, special counsel of the commission, "isn't it a fair statement of this matter that these final specifications, pursuant to which the Trackless Transportation Corporation succeeded in getting this contract, were framed by you so as to fit that Imperial bus of theirs?"

"Why, of course not, sir," Dr. Arendt replied. "How dare you say such a thing?"

"Don't talk to me like that," retorted Judge Shearn. "I don't want any cheap talk of that kind."

"That was not meant to be cheap talk," said Dr. Arendt.

Dr. Arendt said that Grover A. Whalen, Commissioner of Plant and Structures, notified him on Jan. 24, 1922, that the city intended to buy additional buses for the "trackless trolley" lines and that he was to prepare specifications eliminating all defects noted in the buses already in use. Conferences were held, Dr. Arendt said, and investigations were made not only by himself but by a committee.

The witness explained the lengthening of the wheelbase in the specifications by saying that the buses then in use on Staten Island, the Atlas buses, were considered unsafe because of their small wheelbase. He admitted that the Imperial bus fitted the specifications, but said the latter were designed to get proposals from other manufacturers.

William R. Crompton, who attempted to get employment as sales agent for the Atlas company, appeared as a voluntary witness to clear up the confusion concerning the date of his negotiations with the company. A. R. Cosgrove, Vice President of the Atlas Corporation, testified on Monday that his talks with Mr. Crompton were in May, 1922, thus refuting the commission's theory that the company's refusal to employ Mr. Crompton at $1,000 a month brought about the changes in the specifications, which were made before that time.

Mr. Crompton testified that although he began his negotiations with the Atlas Corporation in September, 1921, he had no definite response until May, 1922. He was thanked for his testimony by Commissioner Le Roy T. Harkness.

Mr. Crompton, who was said to have claimed he had the political influence necessary to sell the Atlas buses to the city, denied that he had anything to do with the changes in the specifications.