New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-13
A COMPLETE SURRENDER.
RAPID TRANSIT COMMISSIONERS YIELD TO
THE ELEVATED ROAD.
THE MANHATTAN COMPANY GETS ITS COVETED
EXTENsIONS-A BRANCH TO GO UP THE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CoMPEN- S.
SATION OF THE CITY.
SATION OF THE CITY.


ward were forgotten or thrown aside no longer
worthy OF consideration, and the commissioners
went to work with an aacrity never before dis
played by them. turning over TO the Manhattan
Company one mc and a half Of the Boulevard,
all OF Hamilton Place. West-st. from Battery Place
to Barrow-st, and several other valuable privi-
EGGS. In return for all these favors the commits
sion simply asks the Manhattan Company TO pay
INTO the city treasury per cent of its net re-
ceipts and the expenses of the commission.
This most remarkable of all the meetings Of the
commission was held yesterday afternoon al the
home Of William St.inway president Of the conf
mission, at No % Gramercy Park The meeting
was called to order by Mr. Stcnway about 4
o'clock. All the other Commissioners. Samuel
Spencer. Eugene l.. Bushe. John II. Inman and
John II. Starin, were present, as were also John
NJ Bowers, counsel. and John Bosart, engineer
to the commission. The granting Of valuable
privileges 10 the Manhattan Company was the last
thlng done at The meeting The first two bours
were consumed in discussing resolutions and amend.
mcnts before the commission
Mr.. Starin's plan for avoiding the Boulevard
by going under Tenth-ave. was DISPOSED of in
short order after a report from Mr. Bogart was
received ard letter from Michael F. DALI. Com.
missioner of Pubr Works, had been read Com.
missioner DalY said that he wa. unaIterablv
transit scheme. as il would interfere with the
old aquednct and several large water pipes
laid just below the frost line
Mr.. Starin offered the plan as an amendment
to the resolutions already before the commission,
whereupon it was lost. Commissioners Inman,
Steinway, Spencer and Bushe voting against it,
Then several communications were read. Among
th"m letter from W. y. Amory, who said
that the recently published canvass of Boule-
ward property owners, showing that they were
overwhelmingly in favor Of an elevated railroad
in the Bouevar9 Incorrect. Mr.. Amory
said that he had employed seIeral canvassers. who
saw The property owners between One-hundred-and.
ninth and Observation-Disclosures seventh sts.
These canvas."r- found that the property owners
in that part of the Boulevard were, as rule. OPP
poscI to an extension of the Manhattan road there
Mr. Inman didn't want the letter read, bat Mr..
Starin asked that II be read.
Then followed the real business of the day.
Mr. Bushes amendment offered on April |. "a an
amendment to Mr. SpeEcers resolution was then
taken ND for discussion. Mr.. Bushes amendment
provided for an extension up the Boulevard from
Onehundrcd ard -ninth-st 10 the Kingsbrdge Road.
Tho amendment was lost, Mr. Bushe alone voting
for it,
This action brought up the resolutions offered
by Mr. Spencer on March 20 These resolutions
provided for downtown extensions upon which all
the Commissioners agreed They also provided
for an extension from the Ninth-ave. line at One-
hundrcd-and-nnth-st to the Boulevard: thence
ND the Boulevard 70 Hamilton Place; through
Hamilton place 10 Tenthaye and thence TO Fort
George
About half an hour was spent in taking informal
ballots and discussion. Mr.. Spencer amended his
resolution SO that the route should turn from the
Ninth-avc structure at Observation-Disclosures
IT. .lstedd OF from Onc-hun1licd and -ninth-st.
After all the talk. which led in one direction
only Mr. Bishe prepared set of resolutions upon
which all could agree. They included the We>t-st.
and other downtown extensions already informally
agreed upon and Mr.. Spcncer's Boulevard extern
/ sion.
Il shall vote last" said Mr.. Steinway.
Mr. Starin was moving uneasy in his chair.
He asked the Commissioners if they were al going
TO vote for the adoption of the resolutions.
When he was assured that they would do so, he
said: Now. gentlemen, before taking action on
that paper prepared by Mr. Bushe | desire to
offer a resolution"
Mr.. Starn then read document which he had
prepared. Ii was as follows:
As the menber, Of the Raj i'd Transit Commission
aware always held the view that any extension
ot tho elevated railroad system can, at the
best Furnish only Temporary and inaiequatc means OF
!
charcoi my yiews Oh this subject At the tlmc
nave from the first stated that would not place NY
individual opinion opposition to the expressed views
and will OF all tho commissioners, ana certainly
cannot oppo,- seems TO be the wishes OF the ma
joy OF my fcowc,tizens. In this view, and believing
that prompne>s certainty OF action are demanded by
the nccese, Of The situation am ready to reiinquish
my personal preferences and % aet upon '"'s question:
without further delay
A. tho same time | am fully convinced tina, In con.
junction with must act upon the qneston or eoin
iansation as we'll No further lght con BE- thrown upon
mis- br,uch Of the subject ut further hearing We
have already listened fully to ,he views OF the controller
and the representative, Of the Manhattan Elevated Ea
rad Company Hearings and arguments Will no longer
t., OF avail II 1, duty TO act Fortunately as IL
seems 70 me- the question is not daicu one to determine
when we consider the status OF the company ana the
general tenor II recen, legislation As understand hat
.ci.latlon and as | have been advised BY competent
,,un.ol Us Motley been that corporation usnk
,re, Cor the purpose Of operating surface railroad is
,ooured 20 pay oi first five years OF its operation
4 Der cent VI receipts, and Tor all tme
hereafter ) pee cent It's receipts. and 1t 10
,.o p,oy,dec that rate Of compensation SHAH
10 nI for any extension OF the lines Of corporation
operating railways tho time to whch the act referred
to passed.
!, u,,d therefore be the duty Of this Commission u
,.o.u-. the Menhattan Elevated Railroad Company 10
nav 70 ,he c.ty iot the Ar-t hye years per cent
mad thereafter per cent upon the gross receipts OF
,ho o>,.nded and lines be calculated 70
a., length such extended and additional lines Dear To
a., whole lengh of Manhattan Elevated Railroad
comnany Compensation the city Oh this basis could
M, he complained Of by any stockho.der Of the Man.
h,,,an Elevated Railroad Company as II would simply
n nayment FOR new franchises and not additional
burden upon franchises already granted
4. /. claimed however. by the Manhattan EevasHd
Railroad Company that under the charter OF the Ne~York
r.ated Railroad Company. under which certain portion
- ,s lines are operated required TO only per
cen, Of It's income into the Treasury Of the city OF
Ssw.Yorx. and that the legislative Will being thus ex
,..ed ~ any exten sons granted they should DO
granted uuon the same However this may De-
or clearly OF the opinion, have already stated, thas
the question OF compensation TO be made oy ths company
n, ,ha city should be- and definitely settled
by the contracting parties
have not the least desire to impose any such terms
f., the WAY Of redress the city will interfere In the
slightest degree prompt completion OF the work
&, h. CONSTRUCTED and the operation Of tho Manhattan