New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-15
THE "HUCKLEBERRY" BILL
MAYOR GRANTS OPINION ON The ANNEXED
DISTRICT RAILROAD MEASURE.
HE TELLS TIE LEGISLATURE MUCH ABOUT THE
BENEFITS OF RAPID TRANSIT, AND FAvoRs
THE BILL If AMENDED TO MEET
courp<opS VIEWc
,pr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TEInUSE-I

IllE BILL IF AMENDED 10 MILF
THE GOVERNORS VIEWS
lDY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TEIBUNEI
Albany March l4.-Mayor Grant, Of New-fork, to-
night In reply 10 request made 10 him In resolution
passed by the Senate last week at Senator OConnor's
suggestion, gave his opinion on the lluckleoerIy'
railroad Of the Annexed District, and on the bill
permitting 1t TO gobblc up the other street railways
Of the district. This is the bill backed here by
Edward Murphy, IT., the chairman of the Democratic
state Committee. Mayor Grant cvidently inds IL nara
work TO criticsc any bill favored by MS irIehd
Murphy. lie therefore writes letter TO the Legs
aturc indirectly pmsing the measure by detailing the
merits OF rapid transit But are there not other
railroad companies besides the iiucklebcrry' rail-
road seeking 10 give the blessings Of rapid transit to
the Annexed Dsrlcl Mr.. Grant has To acknowledge,
however, that the Hucklcbcrry' railroad ought to
pay something to the city Of Ncw-lork for it, royal
franchise or at least promise to pay something If it
has royal income from that franchise. Mr. Grant ;
letter - the senate is given in full below:
The BIN referred to relates railroads in a portion Of
this city. Inc advantage Of fostering transit facilities
Is shown in history. In lSSo the taxable valuation oil
Twelfth Ward the most northern Wafd on Manhattan
Island and comprising 5iO0 acres, was s'fo"21soi In
1891 increased transit having been enjoyed IN The mean
time the assessed valuation s2215960o an incfeae"
s52 G57 go. The annual Income PRODUCED Dy 'aN''
ton real estate, due ~ this Increase with the "N-
rate at about 10, Is s29Oo,4e4 80. The popu'
TO o93oOO The increase Of assessed valuation
during the same in the Twenty-third Wafd was
from sl3 97s 800 $3.50 9OG or Sl'''3Coo Oh f-o
acres The Increase In the Twcnty-fourth Ward was
from So 1913 0S5 al7 ss 500 or ss225Io on an ARA
~ oj0 acres In these wards the Increase Of popn-
ation was from o26 to se,756 The transit factes
in the Twenty.thrd and Twentyfourth Wards referred
to in the resolution the Annexed DISTRICT are ihau
quste.
The steam railroads elevated and surface do not afford
tho facilities necessary develop this territory as 1t
broadcns much beyond the beneficial rcach OF IhSe
lateral lines. The only other transit facilities are ''
street railways OF the company effected by THIS Dill hey
comprise seven miles 81 surface railway now operated ~
horse railway and on which II is proposed 10 use eis
trlclty motive power The situation In this district
peculiar considerable proportion Of S real estate
Is assessed farm land. Tie DEMAND for trcophinR
regulating grading scwernc and paving can only DE- met
as rapidly as the valuation will bear its proportion OF the
Increased transit facilities VIII raise ths
valuation rapidly. In condorng these facts and figures
concur with the expressions Of the Governor In his
special message OF the 9Th inst. from which have the
honor to quote:
In view Of the manifest public sentiment and in the
Of intelligent and farsehted legislation COM
the attention OF the Legislature this subject II
municipal franchises and respectfully suggest
that that they Receive careful consideration
In the shaping Of bills now p.ndng and hereafter to be
introduced. The subject IS surrounded. ON aware
with practical difficulties; but. II 10 is approached in
good faith and with desire % subscryc the best
municipal Interests much practical good he accom-
pll,hcd Careful consideration, am sure. viii suggest
wise mid lie course adoption ~ which VIII neither con-
denim municipality far excessive pr0iisalty IN tho dis
position privileges s;nc it, development by the
imposition Of restrictions. Tho working out ia
Of general scheme Of municipal compensation
necessarily ian largely upon the Legislature In ou-
thoriling the bcstowal If Narlou. kind o. lnch-c-"
IN he form IN which the bu raci'd he S'hate rs
provisions ore not IN harmony with tho view, u the
Governor: and ] approve e. that account.
ogpo,cd % the rwntng - any franchise unless uayu'a
commensurate with value secured The uun' p,lty
But amended 20 conform TO the policy indicated 10y
mo Governor fr hr prot ton - The right 81 IA" rgnl,
ay IN such form -haI ba satisfactory the Icl,l,
uIc and Executive, The enactment - r, hl viii not %"
Detrimental 10 tho interest, O.: tc ctY ~ DE -
the Tvcntv-thri and Twenty fourth wards, but tho
con,uiy. would be ~ lnora.'d revenue 20 the
city, and would greatly augment property Ia
10 district affected.