The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-12
RAPID TRANSIT.
Alderman McCanorty's Plan for submit-
ting the Matter to the People.
NEW YORK Anril

being universally conceded-not single voice
having been raised against 1.-THE only difficulty
that appears to stand in the way OF Its realization
is the difference OF opinion that exists as 10 the
best means OF attaining 1t.
Numerous suggestions have been made on this
subject OF rapid transit which severaly possess
many meritorlous features but they have as q
general rule, been 80 bound up with what is deemed
Objectionable that they have been rejected on that
account.
Some OF the schemes submitted to the public
have been objected to on the ground that they
surrender to private corporation that which
might control the most important public interests
The cry OF ''city job" has been raised on the other
hand when IL is proposed TO attain rapid transit
the cost OF the city of New York. Again, the CON-
promise schemes by which the city would share
In the cost and profits OF the undertaking appear
to meet with as much hostility as the others, 80
that practically the question Is narrowed down TO
. choice between the work being done with public
money or with private capital
Having given this subject OF rapid transit some
attention, the views entertain on it are not the
result Of superficial examination. and when
venture to give expression to them, feel that l
am not unfamiliar with the different phases the
problem presents, and being DESTROYS or aiding IN
its solution, have prepared bill which, believe,
Will satisfy the public, disarm adverse criticism
he city OF New York.
The object being to embody all that IS good and
to reject what Is bad. in plan That VIII fully cover
deavored IN the bill which now submit to meet
every objection and to supply every want which
has been pointed out in the prolonged discussions
on the subject or rapid transit, both in the city
press ana III the State Legislature.
Being confirmed IN the opinion that the only
true plan by which we can attain rapid transit in
satisfactory form is that by which the interests
and convenience OF the whole people are sub
structing, owning and controlling the means Of
Now, to meet the cry Of "city job.u have care
fully. provided against the possibility OF a "city
job" and IN the following Manner
pointment BY the Governor Of Ave Rapid Transit
Commissioners, "who shall be residents OF the
CITY and county Of New York" certificate of
such appointment to De filed in the otfices OF the
County Clerk and the Clerk OF the Board OF Alder
men. The commissioners appointed BY the Gov
ernor TO hold ONCE, one for two years, two Tor
three years and two for Eve years, to be deter
mined by lot after the appointments are made.
The Governor has power to remove Tor cause, ''and
in similar manner as is provided by law Tor the
removal Of sherlffs." The Commissioners OF the
SINKING rnna OF the city ana county OF New YORK
death, resignation, removal or expiration
OF term, either for the unexpIred portion OF
term or for term OF years, which, with the
term just expired shall amount 70 total of five
years and have the same powers OF removal as the
mss0ners to be $500 per annum except tnat OF
the President, who shall receive $40 900 per annum,
anQ 10 Ue pdu Oh the warrant OF the COmptrOller.
the Mayor and Corporation Counsel TO DE Com
missioners er-oCciO. and to serve as such without
extra compensation.
1t Will be observed that the Commissioners are
appointed at reasonable salary, considering the
class OF men that will be selected by Governor Dix
and that the appointment comes from an official
who Is elected directly by the people, and whose
hign Character as a citizen guarantees proper ap-
The er-oDtcio Commissioners represent the PEG.
pie IN the persons OF the mayor and the Corpora
nf IN q
appointing power affords the best prOtect
against Official misconduct If this power we
difficulties would be avoided and evils correctt
Section provides that each commissioner sh,
tne s M ~ ssoo a avn sye oon ns 70 'Ie c
amount, Tor the faithful performance o; his dutie
Section requires that on the organization ofstl
commission the Whole expenses shall not exec
$4,000 per annum, exclusive OF commissioner
salaries s 1t Also provides an appropriation
for procuring rapid transit The comnssss.%c -, 80
parts Of any plan or plans submitted TO them
which they may deem best suited to the require
be d1sbursed by the Comptroller. and Tor the one
Section provides that the people shall decide by
vote at the next charter election to whether the
city shall pay the cost OF procuring means OF
rapid transit or not, and before any expenditure
is made except as above provided.
TINS leaves the decision OF the whole question CT
aass az 10 s 10 o are 'se a
people decide in favor OF the city building rapid
transit line the means are provided by an issue by
the Comptroller OF rapid transit construction
bonds" to mature In fifty years and bear interest
at seven per cent per annum.
All bills Tor expenditures on account OF rapid
transit shall be approved by the commissioners,
audited by the Board of SUPERVISORS and paid by
the Comptl Oler.
Section gives the city the absolute ownership
to all property and profits connected WITH rapid
transit.
to be appointed by the Supreme Court and limited
total expense Tor all purposes OF S12 500, to Tx
RAPID transit purposes, in case the Commissioners
cannot agree with the owners thereof
Section provides Tor the appointment OF gen.
eral superintendent who SHALL at the expiration of
five years, succeed the .'Rapd Transit Commits
sioners' In the management OF the line. His
office five years. He will be nominated by the
Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen.
The Mayor to have the power to remove LOT cause
Section regulates the rates OF fares and freight
charges on the line OF rapid transit and by grad
ual reduction places the fare for single passen.
ger, between the terminl of the line, at fixed
rate Of six cents at the expiration OF seven years
and at the expiration OF two years RON the date
Of commencement the charge for 100 pounds Of
freight between the Battery and the Harlem River
IS fixed at five cents, and cent per mile to the
northerly limits OF the city.
The charge for freight Is. OF course, regulated by
Its character; heavy freight occupying small space
IN proportion to its weight being charged less than
light bulky freight.
This sec ton also fixes the minimum rate OF
operation Of the line, and provides that during
the hours OF the morning and evening, when
travel Is greatest on our city lines, the number
trains per hour run each way and between the
terminl OF the line shall not be less than SIX, and
at midday four, and during the remaining hours
OF the day and night three.
In conclusion would state that the people of
the city OF New York are the best judges OF their
own wants and OF the means of supplying them,
they are also willing to supply them If permitted
to do So and 1t seems unjust and improper that
any further obstacles should be thrown In the way
OF an undertaking which every day becomes Of
more vital Importance the prosperity the city
OF New York.
Mr.. Eastman is deserving OF the thanks OF every
citizen OF New York for the interest he has taken
In this question OF rapid transit, and the efforts ne
OF hts bill through the Legislature.
In presenting my bill for public approval do
not intend 1t to be rival scheme to Mr. East
mans, but in case that gentleman's bill should fail