Daily News from New York, New York • 221

IM-v Daily News, Wednesday, September 28, 1983 LIRR gets passing grade but fare hike 'inevitable' By JERRY CASSIDY ever. We graded them in four areas and our findings were: Air conditioning (A): According to two surveys, one taken in mid-August and the second last week, only 11 of 200 cars did not have properly functioning air conditioners. This failure rate of 5.5 is down from last summer's 12 failure rate, and down significantly from the 65 failure rate of three years ago. On-time performance (A): The railroad's August on-time performance rate of 90 is one of the best in any recent summer, "though below the nationally accepted norm of 95," said Kessel. "The LIRR has scored above 90 in seven of the last nine months.

This compares favorably with a 70 rating three years ago." Train cleanliness (B): Out of 200 cars surveyed, only 28 cars were found to be deficient either in terms of dirty windows, dirty or nonworking bathrooms, or generally dirty conditions, reported Kessel. Last year, more than 60 cars were deficient Station maintenance (B-): Out of 20 stations surveyed, 13 received passing grades. Problems at stations (including Mineola, Hicksville and Rock-ville Centre) included filthy bathrooms without toilet paper, soap, running water, or locks on the doors. The waiting rooms were either locked or filthy. "It is a recognizable fact that the LIRR is getting better.

Commuters we talked to have commented on this," said Kessel. "Although the system is far from perfect, productivity improvements made conditions this summer bearable for most commuters," he said. Consumer advocate Richard Kessel issued his Long Island Rail Road summer report card yesterday; while the commuter line got its first A grade in five years, Kessel said that "tuition" will increase by up to 35 come Jan. 1. Kessel who has been issuing twice-yearly report cards detailing the railroad's progress in air conditioning and heating maintenance, on-time performance, train cleanliness and station upkeep congratulated LIRR president Robin Wilson, and said he would support Wilson's candidacy for chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

"Rob Wilson has done a superb job with the Long Island Rail Road, both in upgrading its service and maintaining the morale of the workers," said Kessel. "Unfortunately, the railroad will have to raise ticket prices about 25 to 35 on Jan. 1. "We've come to this conclusion based on an analysis of the operating budget, and while we think that other methods should be explored to keep any rate hike down, it looks almost inevitable." When a threatened strike by the Carmen's Union was settled, Wilson had said that the new labor contract would cause a "significant fare hike." "I think that the Long Island Rail Road can no longer be called the Long Island Snailroad by Richie Kessel," said the consumer advocate of himself. "We have given the railroad an A-minus, grade, based on their performance over one of the hottest summers Cigaret ban is snuffed out follow Okay tax breaks for handicapped The Hempstead Town Board yesterday unanimously adopted state guidelines which will enable homeowners who are physically handicapped to qualify for a property tax exemption.

Similar legislation is under consideration by the Nassau County Board of Supervisors. "Government must be responsive to the needs of all residents," said Presiding Supervisor Thomas Gulotta following the approval of the measure. "In this particular instance, legislation has now been adopted which removes existing laws that discourage physically handicapped homeowners from having improvements made to their homes and property, specifically improvements which can make a home accessible and usable by an individual who has a physical disability." The tax exemptions apply to the homeowner's general town tax. Jerry Cassldy By MICHAEL HANRAHAN A law that would have banned smoking on the job and in most other public areas in Suffolk County was narrowly defeated yesterday by the Suffolk Legislature. Legislator Ira Hariton (D-Bay Shore), sponsor of the proposal which was rejected by an 8-to-7 vote, said his fellow legislators "don't have the guts to take a stand in an election year." Most of the opponents at the Riverhead meeting said the ban would be unenforceable.

The measure had been "filtered down" several times since Hariton proposed it last March. The version voted on yesterday was the fourth amended plan. The basic difference in the various proposals involved the size of the no-smoking areas in restaurants and work places of differing sizes. Although the proposed law carried a penalty of a fine, Hariton contended that the law would have had "voluntary compliance" from the public. "If you go into a church, people don't smoke," said Hariton, adding, "Once a set of rules are established, people Hariton argued for the proposal through several committee meetings during the past six months.

He noted that there are more than 1,200 toxic agents contained in cigaret smoke. "The nonsmoker who is forced to inhale the fumes of a burning cigaret suffers the same ill health effects as does the smoker," said Hariton. Hariton is not seeking reelection this year, so the measure is not expected to be resubmitted. After the vote, Hariton said he was "sorely disappointed." He said, "Realistic politics tells you that you cannot get something worthwhile accomplished when candidates for office are worried about losing votes." Several of the lawmakers attempted to have the measure tabled, rather than take a vote on it before election. Three of them, Michael D' Andre (R-St.

James), Jane Devine (D-Huntington) and Anthony Bivona (D-Centerport), abstained. Devine and Bivona said yesterday that they wanted to have an opportunity to allow the business community of Huntington to (give its views before voting on the measure. li.