New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-08

corporate attempt to OBTAIN municipal privileges The dis
position which prompts such attitude is emnendy
prasswey and It's exercise has prevented corporate out
rage but INDUCED II often Is Unfortunately and u
1t has retarded public improvements s placed m'
great metropolis OF the behind many smaller cities
In facilities Of tunsit and public services and ns 70
suited in rveng only the tightly the letters oil eN
listing monopolisc control Such narrowness aLd pro
vncasm Orthy Of the largest city OF our country
think the people believe in the announcement OF public
Improvements. think that they prefer. so mr as pos
sbio undertaken at private expense and
should be managed by private enterpris' think hey
Averse interpotOn Of unnecessary or arb
trary restrictions which wifi hamper Improvements or
deter investment but think they are practically unan
nous in expecting the bsstowal Of municipal franchises
70 be surrounded with reasonable safeguards for
subscribing the public interests and TO he
based upon terms approximately commensurate
the value Of the privileges granted
In view Of this manifest public sentiment aud In the In
intelligent and fsrsighted legislation commend
attention Of the Legislature this subject OF mu-
ncpa franchises and respectfully suggest that 1t receive
careful consideration in the shaping Of bills now NndhR
and hereafter TO he introduced The subject Is sur
rounded with practical difficulties; but. II
~ Is sppros in good faith and the sole desire to
subserve the best municipal interests much practical
good be accomplished Careful consideration ON
Will suggest wise middle course me aoopuoh OF
which will neither condemn municipality for excessive
prodgality In the disposition a ifs privileges, nor stine
its development by the imposition OF too severe
In sraSm Of public feeling generated some wears ago
BY the exposures Of corruption In connection WIN "e
granting Of franchise for the building OF surface n
way on Broadway New.York the Legislature passed
what the Cantor act the distinguishing feature
OF which far it relates to the value OF street rai
franchises that the latter should be sod OF auction
to the highest bidder Iheorctica ally the sale of pubic
franchise to the highest bidder sound in principle and
ought TO we'll in practice but a. matter OF iart
tho operation Of the Cantor act has been dis
appointment 1t has favored existing transit Inonop-
olies at the expense OF much-nocded transit I'M
has irrPSpOnsibp
alleged companies whose only motives were to defeat
possible rivals force responsible and honest COM
panies " buy of their opposition. Very little revenue
has municipal treasures by reason OF IT,
and deprived OF the benefit from the rise
In values which always accompanies improved
Of INSTRUMENTATION. By the auction provision
Of the Cantor it stands. the Legislature has
actually retarded public improvements and the consequent
appreciation Of values in NcwYork and Brooklyn The
danger ne, however that IL may 70 10 the
other extreme and egsate valuable franchises for
practically nothing
To guard against that danger. and at the time to
offer encouragement 10 private enterprise for public In
provement suggest whether wise solution o; the prob
lem is not to be found in careful scheme Of municipal
compensation based upon future earnings. rather than
upon present estimates and the uncertain values OF pvi-
leges granted Tho present worth Of franchises Is dim
cult matter TO calculate public franchise which to-day
may OF little value. in TWENTY-FIVE yea:s NAV
Of value privilege which to-day men would
yay well for in few yeors have lost It's yc,uc.
with expectation of large returns. The public which
has franchises to dispose Of must for its
own welfare encourage disposal should not begrudge
reasonably large for the risks taken but should
reouife fair share of profits when they accrue from
privileges which IL has granted.
The most sensible attitude for the public in my Iudg
ment. is that which welcomes improvements by with
holding unreasonable doubtful restrictions but insists
that II franchise granted shall prove repu
neraue. the municipality. grantee. shall
be reasonably compensated therefor. This IS
business proposition. which. In its general principle.
ought satisfy both the public and franchise seeking
investors. 1t the interests of both The
working detail Of such general scheme OF municipal
compensation necessarily fall largely the Lcgisla
in authorizing the bestowal Of various kinds Of
Franchises Had It been adopted TO-DAY the
city OF New York instance would be enjoying share
Of immense profits earned bv elevated
railroads surface railroads and other public corporations
which practically 10 the local treasury Tor
the special privileges possessed. During the last ten
years tho OF Paris paid into the treasury OF that
city $40 900 600 besides lighting the streets ana
public buildings cost. and the annual
revenues the from RAILROAD, water
cab ard other companies which enjoy public
privileges vary from s6.00OoOo 70 5000 600 this exp
rienoe ought to be valuable indicating the possibilities
increasing by proper legislation the indirect revenues
Of our mymicpaltLs, and OF relieving by just 50
much the burdens Of direct taxation upon the people,
bespesk the whole subjec. the earnest study and
deliberaon which rs present and future importance de-
mands and which popular interest expects
Vt she hands Of the law.makng power.
ROSWELL p. FLOWER.