New-York tribune., 1879-05-19
THE EIVE-OENT FA~RE BILL.
OPPOSITION TO ITS PASSAGE.

a
TIE SURFACE RAILWAY COMPANIES HosTnE-FEARs
THAT ITS PASSAGE, MAY DELAY TIE BUILDING
OF THE ROADS UPTCWN-THE RIGHT or Tue
COMPANIES TO STOP FURTHER EXTENSION.
The discussion of the Calvin bill pending in the
Senate ut Albany to reduce the fare on the elevated
railways of this city TO five cents suggested
to require them 10 run a fye-cent car with every
train, has developed considerable opposition to
the measure from two classes in this city.
Curiously enough one of these classes is formed
of the stockholders of the surface railways and the
president and managers of these are said to be ac-
tive at Albany in concerted measures to defeat the
bl at least in its most positive form, that of gen.
eral reduction to cents. The other class opposing
the bill is made up of the residents on either side of
the city above Central Park and in Westchester
County who desire early rapid transit.
The surface railway companies argue that any re-
dnction.of fares by the elevated railways WILL
while iniuring the latter to some extent, ke the
absolute ruin of the ordinary street lines running
through the avenues. Possibly the crosstown lines
nav be benefited, but even that is doubtful. The
Third Avenue Elevated Road TO Harlem was
no sooner opened than the Second and
Third Avenue surface lines compelled
to reduce rates from six to five cents, and
the Fourth Avenue from eight to six cents for the
through trip. The surface roads could not run in
opposition to the elevated roads when the two lines
now building are completed at the same rate Of
fare. and could not afford to run at less fare
than they now ask 1t is believed that
tbe fare would have to be reduced 10
3 cents and at this rate the through traffic would
be heavy loss and there would be htte or no pro1t
ON short trip passengers. Of course the reduc-
ton would be Indirectly beneficial to the general
pubic provided the surface roads were not forced
Il give up their franchises as valueess or 10 lower
the character of their accommodatlons But one
or he other of these changes the surface railway
people say would he Inevitable.
There are many fears expressed by people living
far up town-and these fears reach the Legislators
at Albany in letters-that a reduction of tho
through fare TO less than 10 cents would result IN
the virtual abandonment of the two lines now
building in Second and Ninth-ayes. by the cOmpa-
MES holding the charters. OF course the companies
would not fly, in the face of public opinion,
and openly declare their intention not TO
build over the entre Toutes to Harlem River and
beyond bat they would quietly delay work on the
longer routes and reap the profit the short lines.
Their charters do not require them TO build any
more OF the proposed lines than they have now con-
structed. They can even abandon any part
validating heir franchises, How readily and arbI-
trarily this may be done has been already
shown in the quick abandonment OF the chatham
ST. and tue EOrty-SecOnd-St. branches OF the
Third Avenue Railway as soon as 1t was
found they did not pay. The extension Of
these roads through the upper part OF the city,
particularly on the West side, has all along
been favored by uptown residents as the wisest
means of developing that part OF the city, 1t not
tire trip on the West side Tor some years 10 come, ii
ever.
presapt in he city Yesterday and Saturday that the
ounosition 10 the CALVIN bill at Albany takes this
shape. Ii was learned on inquiry among real es-
tate dealers that the feeling above described Ger
taiDly existed among uptown residents, and Is gem
eral in that quarter. The startling theory that The
roads would not continue their extensions to the
river if Mr. Galvns bill passed, suggested inquiry
of leading director of one Of the roads now build
ing as to The rights and plans OF the companies III
- or mans he said " cannot speak positively.
The matter has been discussed in our Board and it
rs doubtful If the roads would be extended as
rapid ly as now proposed II the rare should be re-
duceG The companies would nave 10 take the sale
nlou of the first OF Greenwich Street Company and
extend heir lines slowly the demand OF the pub
lie for them was indioated. think be reduction
If fare now while the success of tho through West
side road-thc Metropolitan mean--ls probiemntl-
cal would delay rapid transit above tlity-nlnth-St
for seme wears" ,, -. -. -, -
Iut does your charter allow you not 10 complete
the whole line TO the Harlem r .
It does not require build il at once. would
he a serious question with the company about pro-
LreediDQ further at this time or uutH ecOnld tie
tocruiwe whether > cents will or will not pay"
.'And Won could continue TO run only toflity-
ninth-st. for an indefinite time = ,
! Yes , you have seen that the New-lork Conf
many actually abandoned branches which did not
SSiter . pausc the director added:
fLa,e is an Injustice III this demand for reduced
fore xyl,,o6 vour papori has not pointed out. lie
Gorter "a We the Metropolitan Company tho night 10
cbargo ~ cents 10 Harlom River, and ii cents Ia
tbc ccmmutation hours. The New-1Ork Company
hos The riaht TO charge 10 aud Z cents TO
WsrIen. The latter has never asked more
than o and cents, and the metropolitan Company
will also give superior accommodations ON better
iniit road for the same sums. The bill at Albany
comes wear too sOOn. They 0nghf 10 nave hhtcdu u,
iii The roadswece built. Then active rivalry would
have resulted IL reduction "itnout Oia 10 con'
iDel IL.