New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-10
MR.. VANDERBILT NOT ANXIOUS.

VIEWS OF 4 GENTLEMAN ASSOCIATED VIII HIN IN
BUsINEss-REJECTION BY THE LATE COMMODORE
OF THE PRIVILEGE or BUILDING on FOURTH
AVE.
A gentleman who has close business relations
with William H. Vanderbilt said yesterday in ref
ercnce to the action of the Board of Aldermen in
iccting tho FouIth-aye. rapid transit scheme:
"The Aldermen have been little hasty perhaps in
their actor Tor they have assumed TO reject plan
before 1t has been fully matured. The Rapid Tran
sit Commissioners, believe, had thirty days in
which to locate route. They are given thirty
days more to arrange the details of trains run
ming tine, fares, stations, road structure, etc.
Then they have another thirty days for
the formation OF a company to carry out the plans.
The first OF these three stages has alone been fin
ished. / hear that all Alderman said yesterday,
after the vote had been taken, i presume there is
nothing to prevent our deciding anew on this qUes
ton tomorrow or next dayF The Aldermen eau
not act with perfect understanding OF the scheme
before the Commissioners have perfected their
Mans. and persons have offered 10 form company
to build the IOad'
what does Mr.. Vanderbilt now propose to do in
the matterH"
Tie fact Is that Mr. Vanderbilt did not ask for
the laying out of such route, ana 10 not believe
that he mas ever expressed Willingness to assume
the practical carrying out of the scheme. Mr..
Schell was the only member Of the Harlem Company
who went before the Commissioners The proper
time for Nh Vanderbilt to speak of his desires to
have ANYTHING to do with the scheme Will be when
the Commissioners advertise for tue formation
of d company TO build the road. ] do
NOT doubt that he has taken pains to
inform himself of the plans and wishes
Of The Commissioners, the results they seek to Oh
tam and the effects Of the enterprise if carried ont,
on tie railroads which he controls and which form
so important factor IN the plans. / very much
doubt if Mr. Vanderbilt would undertake to carry
out this scheme. He certainly would not in the
face Of legal difficulties, and with a strong public
feeling hostile to the enterprise Even on the
score of profit there is not enough in
H. The rapid transit trains out OF the
Grand Central ID poi have never pad expenses. Inc
peuses for the first hye years al least Ii the West
chester District should be built up with the rapid
ify which landowners up there expect, the road
might pay after live years. Ncstchester residents
Populations TO urge HIM TO assist Iii building road
OF this kind"
do you look upon the action of the Aldermen as
a dcatb-bOw TO the proposed road I
MANY steps have yet TO be taken before the plan
comes properly before the Aldermen. 1t is gues-
toned II the plan comes properly under the street
Railway Act, but many things analogous make II
probable that the plan does. Therefore the first act
OF "A company formed 10 carry ont the plans OF the
Commissioners would be 10 obtain the consent Of
half the property owners along the route. Falling
in this, the company may ask the Supreme Court 10
aUpuiDt three commissioners to INQUIRE II the road
rs necessary. II the commission should declare it
necessary such declaration would take the place of
the consent OF the property owners. lhcn tine
scheme would he brought properly before the Alder
men, ald If they opposed It suppose the road could
"A he hulIt.O