New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-12
The CITY'S GOOD BARGAIN.
BROADwAY,S NEW STREET RAILWAY.
GREAT CHANGES IN THE OLD ROAD THAT WILL
,xsupr GREATER RETURNS.

GREAT CHANGES IN THE OLD ROAD THAT WILL
INSURE GREATER RETURNS.
Tho nroposed change IN the motive power OF the
eroadwav and Seventh Avenue Railroad Company was
before the Sinking Fund commissioners yes'euay'
El.hu Root appeared for the company ohcrs present
were Colonel Daniel S. Lamont, Lawson N. fuhor,
Justlce Leicester Homc, President Coleman, OF the
Tax Department, and william wharton, OF Phhlia
deIpbla Mayor Grant said he had doubts about the
jurisdiction of tho Sinking Fund Commission In the
,ase But there could be objection to a hearing.
Mr. Root OK plancd that the company he represented
ras roay to mako the change of motive power to cable
nm the line between South Ferry and Central Park.
All II asked the approval Of the local authorities
Under the law the State Railroad Commissioners
seemed to have the right Of approval vested in them
but he believed that the city government disputed
this The city's sanction therefore desired at
the start The company not committed TO any
special cable system, but would be guided by the cys
authorities In making its selection. Tho best cars
would be put that or could be made They
should be twenty feet long and lighted after the
latest and most approved plan
Tho Mayor asked II there would be an improve
mont as to noise. Mr.. Root thought the cable COM
parativcly noiseess system II would not be the same
as in use in onehundrcd and-twenty fth-s, but the
most quiet system known such as is used In Phsdei-
phia and Chicago.
In reply to chamberlain Croker, Mr.. Root said that
regulations Of the Commissioner Of Public WORKS re-
rardnr the kind of rails to be laid They would rest
on a solid surface and be without ruts. Inc 'mo
would be as good that made on the eevated roads,
Mr. Root believed that is, passenger couia go Ioih
Ftfy.nintb st to the Battery as by the Man
haitian Elevated.
Tho broadway road, he added was now paying
moro into the treasury than all the other surface ROADS
together Since June a. 1885, 1t had paid So5l 4o a.
exclusive of $56666 it had paid for street cleaning
During the last fiscal year the company had pad INC
city $4,000 as bonus $32 ,236 percentage on pas
sengers Sal ,s16 in taxes $e 900 for car licenses
sl4 900 for cleaning streets. With other items inc
aggregate was s137,759. The change, Mr.. ROOT ssio
would probably enable the company TO douDie inc
number of cars running. He was sure that the .o'a
payment under their present offer would not ian DO
low $15000o.
Mavor Grant asked II Mr. Root was prepared TO
guarantee the city $4,000 a year, as he had esn
mated including the $4,000 rental and the per ccno
of gross receipts II the change was permitted
81 want to make good contract for the CITY as
possible" added the Mayor. I'VE are giving you
something you want badly, you know"
After a consultation with Colonel Lamont MI
Root said that he was prepared 10 give the guarantee
and accept the Mayors proposition. lie "ah'eu "
get the new system in operation as soon as possOo
so as 10 show people how much improved brodu""S
would look for the Worlds Fair.
The Commission will hold the matter under ao'iso
rent until this morning, when another meeting VIII
be held. The following the terms winch 'ho
Mayor e1acted: A.,
l. Streets to be paved and kept in repair unuer tnc
direction Of the Department OF Public WORKS between '
ieils and for either side
. All gas and water Mains sewers, etc' os'uiDeu
to be repaired by Department Of Public WofK a' @
expense OF the applicant.
g. The cars to be lighted by the most approved ap
Illance =. - |
The rail to be used and form of construction to be
approyed BY the Commissioner Of public WORKS.
The road at present pays the city s4oooo year a'
rental and per cent OF the receipts OF the COM
rany This amounts t. $4,000 They agree that II the
,,ha nrIv.ce he accorded them the paid for these
two items alone shall be less than sloooVo PEI
nnnum There also real estate tax Which, lor TINS
yeaI ell $50 personal tax, sSoloo 90 uoA
tax ~ Of o. licenses $4,000; for street cfcag'
e14 COO being a total OF s235 522. This sum can at no
decrease. but in all probability viii be Argey III
creased |
After the adjournment the Mayor said that he dio
not see how he could object TO the terms or oppOs9
The change. The proposition certainly hperai
one and most advantageous 10 the CITY.