New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-02
FERRY LEASES AND FRANCHISES.


aKrTArs PAID BY TIE CoMpANEs-Tnosr MAT Alw
uNPAID-THE CIrYs HEyENUE CUT DOWN vN-
NECESSARILY.
At meeting on Saturday of the Commits
rioners OF the Sinking Fnnd. the Controller and the
Chamberlain presented report Of which the following
Ia the substance upon the ferry franchises
Of this city
sapabe OF returning 70 the CITY large annual rcYe nc
properly administered. but they have not been 30 ad
mutation of the proprety of establishing continuing
FERRIES all around the island is in the corporation
the city does not own WIN" ali the he wharf bart ana ana
p Sspcd IT for mo" IN use or mat NAY be
the Tact that might be uGwise 10 acquire them hy pur
ehase would seem best that all ferry under
future leases Ice required pay equal TO the value
oireutal Tor exclusive purposes Of ali wharf aud pier
rights winch tho city may own at the designated
location OF The ferry. and which arc used by the
Terry or otherwise rendered valueess TO the
oily 10y It's establishment, and in addition thereto
percentage VI the gross receipts OF the ferry as a
consideration for the use Of the franchise that all
IeatiOhS Where TIE city does not own wharf rights
enCh Per cent only should be paid ana that If ferries
made me ne so Inf s bidder ne FOREGOING rates bs
w the one who VIII pay in cash. in quarter yearly
iltE bnkheads and piers used by the ferries he
be dredged and kept clean at their own
expense and that leases or renewals
months nor less than sN months before beginning OF
,i.e new t9ss' on the expiration OF the then current
tinued. ~ O''OoN-
IT'S also suggested that in lieu of the percentage.
or Te,cs hli pay dr. caPa rate upon each person
proper covenants should DO m the lease TO in
eur correct accounts OF persons carried and income
not he oppressive or detrimental"
FROM tire schedule of ferries established II au.
pears that 1855 feet of bukhead ana equal to nine ie
are exclusively used by them, which are acrording m
The opinion OF Johu j. ScrTel experienced eng1neer
worth for special uses at least 600 ner Ca
u reserved. ri
ioI FRANCHISE only amount 10 but $5S9O showing an ae
doubt that these franchises should be prodnctiye
Oh greater revenue to the city, bus we dis.
cover That this kind OF public property has
~ past profigate age. been ned M
VIII nIru1ent leases and conditions; and that 10 viii
j, t0nk peiO!e new era can Dc fully entered upon
without resorunS to litigation aud protractcd legal con-
snd The H',au1e OF south Ferry, The Fulton ferry,
are leased to TIE Union Ferry Company for period
OF NS0WO per annum, showing loss under leases made
l01O9OO loss 10 the city Tor the term of the leases
For this nominal rent Of 81 per annun the Union
ferTy Company get Cos feet OF bukhead and two piers
In addition" The Old argument Will be "reyived tIat
the city If benefited by ferries greater extent than
The nechborb"St SS yoi f % ~ leases
nenentea much more than the city as is evidenced by
h, I owners Of real estate opposite the city, and
value OF their land. " ''
After referring to a schedule which show, tba, tbore
no" que rom various ferries as far az appesrs from
~'<"ns IN tue possession OF tho Department of
FINANCE Tor unpaid ferry rents the aggregate sp .,
oshO the report says that those rents are now col
iee'eo through the Department of Docks and ma, mo
"a armeht OF Finance should "act Conformity with Tho
Coz uhssioners Of the Sinking Fund i'm tho Ioas,.
whSSVes or piers for ferry purposesp Tho -,
clos<e follows: ''P0''
The i'eome OF the city aud ought 10 be an
creased ny proper management OF the ferries vb,h
be baa. without injury properly Interest,". an
without any Increase OF charges persoes caTrisH
The extent 70 which the Brooklyn Bridge will -.
Anisbed affect the ferries 10 quite To- stat
There lie doubt. however that OF popns
1lou and business will be Of sufficient 70 -
He ali the crossing facilities that the bridge and fer.
can furnish.
Accompanying the report was . schedule OF ferr,
Ssses, Of which the following is ondensed statement