New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-29
TILE rNnERGEOrND FRANCHlSE.

TUE ryDERGEOCND FRANCHISE.
The Randi Transit bill was passed AT the
end of JanuaIy. 1891. with the unanimous
oprroyal Of the people Of this city and II was
then believed that the beginning of the end
If rho rapid transit problem for Ncw-lork had
beon made. The Rapid-Tlansit Commission
created by the bill, composed OF hVe hau'hs
citizens. began lis work promptly ana lhe IT,
sui of lis deliberations was awaited WIN uc'P
interest. After several months, when pan
for an elaborate system Of underground roaus
was announced aS the conclusion OF the Noih-
uissioncrs. if wa, moi received with great en-
tbusiaSm: and the difficulties which ensued re-
oardng the consents Of plopeny-owhcrS ana
cert lin proposed changes in the routes laId our
did not tend f. inspire the bellei tha' 'hiS mo
mentous problem had been solved III compete
and Satisfactory manner. Vt length, however
-, few weeks ago the Commissioners MADE inc
announcement that fnl plans had been agreed
mon and the terms Of the franchise drawn up
and that on December - the franchise would
be offered for sale at public auction.
The sale will take place to-day at any rate
the franchise will he offered to the hlgheS'
bidder. and unless the impressions received by
members of the Rapid-TlanSit COMMISSION are
| NJ f,ult several offers will be made. II the
| franchise goes a-begging. the work oil the CoIh-
mission will have been almost useless ana III
| reSpcct of rapid transit the city VIII be niue
| further advanced than il was two years ago
,ybcn tbe Legislature was appealed TO- success
| ,ully 10 pas> a comprehensive apld-tlanSl'
lave Such result would be deplorablc. for the
| need of quicker and ampler means OF comm'inI-
| cation between the two ends OF the iSlahd Is
| continuaIly becoming more pressing. III cannot
he denied that considerable number OF New
Norkors look with small favor upon under
| ground roads. and few OF those who know the
underground roads of London well want to see
| tbcm duDlicatcd here But the London under
crornd roads do not furnish fair test. since
| those 10 be built in this city--if they are butt
will be free from many of the drawbacks
existing there The Use Of electricity in the
tunnels a. motive power Will make the qu'S-
tion. of ycnt ton and lighting comparatively
easy: and. besides. the freedom Of Ncw-l 0rk
from such fogS AZ oppIc>S London VIII rchdcr
subtoranean travel more comfortable here man
there
Il is greatly t. be hoped therefore. that there
will be an a.tiye competition for the iIanchlSe
10 be offered to-day. \ large number Of bdS
cannot be looked for. however, in view OF The
vast amount of capital which will be required
70 construct an underground system OF ia-
WAYS. II is satisfactory 10 note the emphatic
statement Of the president Ct the Eapid-TlanNli
| Commission that acquisition Of the franchise
for the purpose OF preventing the construction
of the proposed roads is virtually out OF the
ouestion. The result Of the auction sale VIII
| involve the entire question of rapid transit IN
Ncw-YcrI for Il long time 70 come. NJ the
best little relief can be expected IN several
years. 4 failure now TO put the plans OF the
CommiS,i, ncIs into practical execution would
mean long continuation Of conditions which
are getting constantly worse on possibly, some
extension of the elevated lines which, however
could only mitigate, not remove the existing
| trouble.