New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-27

car system in speed, comfort and safety-then Do
leve that they should be permitted to DO so. dont
wonder that the elevated railways arc opposed 10
the street railways improving their motive power
because II Will bring the latter moro into competi,oh
with them. II to tho state Railway Com
missoners just the men to exercise the authority
OF determining whether It would DO for
the public interest that this or that
street railway should change It's motive
power. They are all men OF high character ard OF
an industrious disposition. They can Learn the width
Of street through which It IS proposed TO nun q
street railway By electric cable power ascertain
the character Of tho trafc that passes through the
street. and mako other investigations which will
supply them with trustworthy evidence to guide
them in their decision In the application for per-
mission to change the motive power'
Opposition was made also 20 Senator Erwns bin
permitting street RAILWAYS 10 purchase other lines
and exctd their lines on condition Of giving trans
fer tickets tie lines thus connected. and exact
Ing fare only all tho lines. Controller
Myers, OF New-Yorh. among others. strongly opposed
this tI arguing that II tho consolidation OF city
lines were permitted tho city vouh lose percentages
Of the earnings Of various roads that Is. It's per
centage wouh be less II roads were consolidated
and ono fare all demanded than It would
be II there werc thrcc or four lines each one oh
tanning fare from passenger Tho city tax
payers might loss money under such con
their interests ovcrrdcn by those OF the poor
people Of New York Every one who has travelled
about New.iork knows that one great element In the
:apon.Iveness Of life In that city IS tho car
iaTc that You have to pay al cvry turn. man
SONG Sro's town Las 20 pay sometimes several
Hould DO to she interest OF the population OF Vow
@ 10 'TS ny 'G dSs III city they % cr%s
q transfer ticket The saving thus made by the
sapoar % aSas Upon SSi ne III ai tsaa
Tho small p"rc"ntaEr rAhi TO The taxpayers for the
use of the street railway frahchiseS'
INTERFERENCE WITH PAvEMENTs
But tho authorities OF Ncv.York have Other and
fa' gnnate' Ohicctlnns 10 Tho motive power bill II
will b. remembered that Governor HIu signed n bin
20 100000 yearly for threo years 10 upon
tho rcpavemcnt Of tho streets Of that city. But the
authorities Of Sow-rork fear that the motive
power bill authorizes the street railway companies to
up tho streets IN order To change their motive
power. say 10 pnt In cablo Line. without their
permission. a Etrct juSt covered WITH expensive
pavement might thus lie disrupted and almost ruined
tho now law overwhelmingly transfers nom the
local auhnrit!rS of thS CITY Ia tho state RairNad
Commissldacrs tho right 70 say whether or not a
street pavement shall be thus dsturtei. After the
etab Railway Commissioners hAvc given thNlr per
mission TO Now York CkS railHNy to change II.
motive power appreDiy the now law anthorihes thai
railway 70 tear up the streets through which rs fn",
without asking Tho Permission 81 tho authorities
Of that city. Tho last clause in tho now Law saws
IL shall DO lawful for any such railroad comp
10 malp any chaDFs IN the construction Of Its roaa
ruaibod at any tno rendered Necessary BY chang
In hs motive power
Nj Doohmsn 10 HE brof said tina. the measure
permitted the street railway companies 10 tear up an
enormous mileage Of tho streets 10 construct vaults
IN tho roadway for tho operation OF coolies, AMI 10
make other troublesome uses OF tho public strc"tS
without giving either no city authorities or any Other
body representing tho public Interests any voire In
| tho matter OF allowing the properly owners most
affected by the chtngr any opportunity Of protecting
their rights Mr. hickman then argued that the
Court OF Appeals decision In the cnse Of tho Arcai'
Railway showed that a charter Of street rallw as
company could not be enlarged By the Legislature SC
a. 10 b. indistinFIkhahlo from grant ~ sih
s.aIr,tve rights" Mr. Hickman also pointed out tha
| tho Court Of Appeals IN It's decision the suit o
| tho Third Avenue Railway Company 10 compel thc
Commit sioncr OF Public Works OF Ncw.York 10 grant
II a permit 10 trtict a cabn railway had said that
| "A permanent structure below the surface T. MOI
covered by tho grant for track 10 DO placed on the
| gurfanrs