The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-03
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To THE EDITOR THE HERALD
The Rapid Transit Commission have now been in ses-
sion nearly two months Although their sessions have
been private observers ia the lobby have become
familiar with the and faces Of those who have
been before the Commission and have found out that
nearly their entire time has been occupied In giving
audience 10 the lawyers and representatives Of the
Greenwich Street Elevated and the Gilbert Elevated
companies All this time has been taken up in trying
to agree on location which would suit their conflicting
demands All other parties but these If granted an
audience at all, have had it granted reluctantly
The reason of this it would seem, is difficult to
explain perusal Of the Rapid Transit or Hustled law
will think, afford explanation Of this remarkable
mode Of carrying out the law which this Commission
have sworn toexecute The nine sections of this
law are devoted the powers and duties of the Com
mssioners. After prescribing the mode of organiza-
ton the law directs that they SHALL within sixty days,
proceed to locate the route roues The reason why
this has been done Is has just stated owing
10 the difficulties that have been met in bringing them
selves TO the point Of giving these companies, which
have charters Of their Independent Of this Com
mission, what they have asked for.
The following section was evidently inserted in the
law solely for the benefit Of these companies:-
SECTION 36-whenever the route or routes determined
upon by said Commissioners coincide with
covered by the charter Of an existing corporation formed for
porao has not forfeited is charter failed % comply with
the provisions thereof requiring the construction Of road
roads within the time prescribed by It's charter such
operate such railway or railways upon falGiment Of
! tie requirements and conditions imposed by said
this act And the said Commissioners may fix and
determine the route routes by which elevated steam
railway railways now in actual operation may connect
with other steam railways the depots thereof with
way company far relates to such connection Of such
Of the requirements and conditions imposed by said COmmis
soners under section Of this necessary 20 be
fulfilled in such cases, under section 10 Of article
Of the constitution Of this state and such connecting Gle
waited railway shall in sgeh case possess ali CON
ing route or routes shall be designated such elsyed
railway company may construct such Connection with all the
rights and with Ike effect though the had been
part Of the original route Of such railway
1t is under the following clause In the bill 'and tho
said Commissioners may fix and determine the route
routes by which any elevated steam railway railways
in actual operation may connect with other steam
railways depOts thereof or.with steam ferries that
the New York Elevated Company ask for the privilege
not only Of connecting with ferries and railroads but
also for the privilege Of route on the cast side extend
ing all the way TO Harlem River Now, II read the
law Alright this Is giving 10 this company which has
corporate existence independent OF any conditions this
Commission has the power 70 enforce ia tho Of
companies formed by them under the provisions Of the
law, which provisions inserted with the view OF
making IL the duty Of this Commission to insert such
conditions in the articles OF association will insure
the city OF New York well built and properly operated
rapid transit road If the city not get such a road
II will be for the reason that they have abused
the power-, indeed, they have this power-given to
them by the section quoted and which was, doubtless
foisted into the bill for the object which this company
u would seem, is on the point Of obtaining To sum II
up u is simply ths;-Ihe Commissioner II they act
as the lobby have strong suspect they will act
and turn over rapid transit this greedy applicant
who already has route tho west sIde-they will
ignore an tho rest OF the law and only avail themselves
Of two or three lines, which probably Struggled
into II IL looks very much as though this was tho
scheme from the beginning TO the end-viz that this
section was put nto the law at Albany by tho manpu-
ators with The view that commission would act only
on II and pass over ~sery other mandate Of the act
Let every citizen keep one eye the proceedings tho
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