New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-10
VIEWS OF COMMISSIONERS.

state his opinions concerning rapid transit, II piled that
he was not conveIsant with the subject lie waiting
TO learn by closer investigation Of the matter. how 10
form his opinions about it, aud he anxious To
receive suggestions than to give them. His only interest
in rapid transit to 4 established for the good
OF the city Mr. Mott said that when lie accepted tho
office of Commissioner lie supposed that II would expire
In 90 days. but he had recently sceIaned that the Com
mssioners required TO continue in Office SUPER
intend the work OF construction, until IL should Ia
finished This made the duty seem rather onerous but
he ready 10 perform it 10 the hest az hl. ability
Mr. Mott further SAID that the Commission will accom-
psh s special work In lcss than the 30 days given
to II by the law. Its members mean to 20 10 work in
earnest and effect the purpose for which they have been
appointed. within the prescribed timo they VII doer,o
upon and adopt some Ilan of rapid transit, and push
1t to completion as quickly as possible. After
the Commissioners have feeCtcd n route and
adopted a plan OF rapid transit. the consent u
onehaf Of the propcryowncrs along the route both In
number and in the amount OF property valuation no
CURED TO be obtained, and II s provided that in ease tho
route selected runs through streets avenues the
sent of the Common Council shall also De gained But in
OF refusal Of such consent either by pIopcrtyown-
ers or the Common Council the Commits toner's Iiho
rized to apply to tie Supreme Court for relief and tho
Court will appoint three Commissioners to apprase tho
property in dispute. Tie requirement that the
Of property and the Common Council be- OBJ
tanned in the manner mentioned Mr.. Mott considered 10
he serious stumbling block In tho way of the quick sou-
ton Of The problem of rapid transit good deal Of t-
Cation, he thought. might spring account If H. ana
in this way rapid transit might be delayed for long
time.
In regard 10 what plan system Of rapid transit,
whether elevated underground he would himself pre-
fer to see adopted Commissioner Mott desired 10 say
nothing. He had his Impressions, he said this sub
jcct hut he dill not want to express them because they
not founded any very extensive and cose
nation of the subject aud they might he contrary tn tho
convictions that he wOnd ultimately have adopt after
the work Of the Commission in investigating the matter
Is further advanced o; The opinions Of the other Com
mssioners about what system II would be best adopt,
Mr. Mott SAID that he could not srcak because h hnd
not officially conyersed with them about the subject.
Commissioner Mott was also asked in the Comlis-
sion should select route already covered by the
charter Of an existing rapid trarsit company sucb
Siythave or Second-ayc. which Thus taken by tho
Gilbert Elevated Railroad Company. The Commissioners
would not have adopt tho charter Of such company.
Hc replied that there was apparent difference OF
opinion about this question: and be did not feel prepared
10 speak officially in regard u IT, The aicc ct counsel
would have to he taken, and the Board yet has
counsel The matter will be fully considered ia the
Board The law provides that TIE Commissioners shaii
not he allowed TO build a road where there is
elevated railroad in operation. The words In
operation" need to bc legally defined in order
that their exact meaning, as used ~ tho set,
may he understood by the Commission. Some persons
charter and existing rights huild and elevated
railroad was In operation according to the meaning of
the act. Others argued that no road IN operation
merely because it possesed charter but that bring
1t within the intent OF the law IL be- actually
ming trains. or carrying ont its charter.
This not the only point on which Tie Board woui
have to employ counsel There were other provisions
the act which needed explanation, especially ~
those concerning tie limitations which put apo Tho
acts OF the Commission.
About the methods which the Commissioners wOnld
adopt for raising money NJ Mott said that BE- nor
at all prepared TO speak Mr. scigrnan. the President Of
the Commission had said TO him that he Thought there
would be no difficulty III securing the money cssay.
Mr.. Mott was also unpreparod TO express an opinion
about the strength OF the opposition which TIE Commits
siOncS might expect to receive from the street hallway
companies and other corporations which may regard
rapid transit as inmical to theii inerosts Ee in
clined to Think that rapid tranfit might uot
be SO injurious to the street railroads
many supposed. or as, on its face, II would
appear Ia IL. Commissioner Matt remarked that
the action Of the Board on Thursday passing r"soln
ton that rapid traust was pressing Necessity IN tins
city had been criticised idle thing hut It was dono
IN accordance with express provision act Great
ius The Commission.
Thursdays meeting Of the BOARD merely 10 fleet
organization The real work will begin ~ Tuesdays
meeting. when all plans OF rapid transit and eonm1ica
ons concerning II, should be- presented. What plans
will be presented Tuesday the Commissioner said he
did not know. but whatever they wcre they would 10
carefully considered. and the Commission world dis
solve without giving the city system OF RAPID transit
MR.. sEILGMAN's SUGGESTIONS.
Mr. scgman, President of the Commission. when qnes-
toned concerning his views on the rapid transit prob
lem unwilling talk the subject and sid that
he had yicws-he had not had time 10 form any lie
thought elevated road would De feasible on 40
count Of its chcaplcss, than under road but 10
could not say Which, the whole. was 10 be- preferred
lie did expect any trouble In securing the
Of propeIty-owncrs along any route which might 10
chosen. II, however the ovners CT property ro-
fused to give their consent they could be com
PEELED TO do by the courts. Mr.. schgp.sn
sad that the money for tie construction of the road
would be obtained Hy private subscription II the COM
mssoers chose any of the for which charters
had already been granted, they would be eompred
TO adopt any Of tie former plans The old charters were
virtually aDnucd 10y tie formation of the Commission
lie had heard the project ntoncd II using one street
'or the purpose of rapid transit only, without allowing
teams 10 travel upon it, brt he did regard plan
with mach favor.
CONFIDENT EXPECTATIONS OF Mr.. CANDA.
Commissioner Canda stated yesterday that the act
under which they were appointed provided that they
should meet and organize within Is days after their a
poiDunout, and within 80 days thy should determine
upon The necessity OF such a railway. This have
doncin eight days. and there will be procrastin
part" said Mr.. Cana. in carrying out all the
other provisions of the act We adjourned 10 meet On
the 18Th Of the current month. In orler give
who may have plans and matured ideas regarding the
OURSELVES . Iilis w eoAsidsr what Ia loslirsd