New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-14
CABLE CARS IN THIRD-AVE
WORK 70 BE BEGUN IN THE SPRING.

THE CHANGE WILL COST A MILLION AND HALv.
But A DIRECTOR SAYS 1T WILL PAY.
The directors OF the Third Avenue Railroad
Company yesterday elected officers and unanis
mously decided TO adopt the cable system on thein
1hrd-avc. line All the members OF the board
were present except Robert Willets and Solomon
Mchrbach. Maltby G. Lane. who is looked upon
as the leader Of the opposition to Mr. Haatx
policy. did not find II necessary to oppose tho
wishes Of the Others The meeting was har-
monious being in marked contrast to the emo
held by the stockholders last month
Lewis Lyon reelected president: Henry
Hart viccpresident: John Beaver. treasurer and
Alfred Lazarus secretary. It was decided In con-
sequence OF the proposed changes and other heavy1
eAIenses such as taxes. that il would be necessary
To pass the February dividend This makes tha
fourth quarterly dividend that has been passed.
None OF the stockholders has received anything
since the strike last spring. When the question
OF substituting the cable for lasscs was brought
up every one seemed to have fully made up his
mlnd that the change was desirable and should
be made Those directors who had been some-
what favorably disposed toward electrical motera
agreed that these. though desirable. were not yet
In shape for practical use and that the cable was
the most available system for the present. Even
II electricity should be found suitable for use a
few years hence they said the substitution OF 10
for the traction system could be easily accom-
pllshed The matter was put to vote and re-
ceived the sanction of all.
1t was then ag1eed that before deciding upon
ony particular style of road a committee should
make cful study Of the matter. visit philas
dclphia. Chicago, San Francisco and all the other
large cities employing the cable system and report
to the board. Robert w. Taller. William Rem
sen and Silvanus S. RiSer appointed on this
committee. and they will enter upon their duties
at once. II is not probable that work tho
structure will be started before spring.
To change the line as the company proposes to d6
will cost about 81 800 900. The entire line will
have to be rebuilt and cars similar tO thos6
employed in Tenth-ave. purchased One-third of
this outlay. it is thought will be realized from
the sale of horses and other equipment Of the
present road The officials estimate that over haln
a million dollars can be saved yearly in oreratnA
expenses by the cable system. and they confi-
dcntly assert that with this of transit
they easily compete with the elevated roads.
Said one of the directors last night:
We going to ir~.'r a big expense In making this
change. but certain that II Will pay well In tho
end. We have got to do something you know. We can't
the way have been going and the cable system
only salvation People want TO 90 faster than
horses haul them but II they get rapid transit on
the surface they certainly will not climb stairs TO the
elevated roads II will take us ab0nt year 10 get our
system in working ORDER but when do the Third
property will be better than and that IL say
ing good deal We shall make changes in the ROAD AZ
No reduction in present force VIII DC male
though shall try to reduce expenses all We can