New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-18
Rapid TRANSIT PROBLEMS.
COMMISSIONERS PASS RESOLUTIONS.
IT'LL ASSERTING FAITH IN THE UNDERGROUND
sYsTEM-THE FRANCHISE HELD
IN ABEYANCE

sYsTEM-THE FRANCHISE HELD
IN ABEYANoE.
All tho members Of the Rapid Transit Commission
r,re present at the meeting yesterday afternoon.
There was large attendance OF persons interested In
,.,,d transit The first person 10 be heard
COS a representative OF the Manhattan Single Tax
c,uh Albert J. Wolf, who said he lived in Brook
~, read memorial 10 the commissioners. the sum
nd nuisance OF which that the municipality
nrd construct an underground railroad the plans
.N down by the Commission The memorial was
tined by A. j. Steers. president. and Benjamin Dob
Nm chairman of the Agitation Committee. Christian
Tr,nlu president OF the Washington Heights Progress
y. Association offered series OF resolutions asking
40. privilege be extended TO the Manhattan Railway
- construct and operate four-track branch or ex.
,,slon 10 their present system, connecting with the
rs,n road al sixty fOurth-st and Ninthave, thence
,x, the Boulevard and Eleventh-ave. to Kingsbrdge
IA branch road or extension from the terminus Of
~. second Avenue Elevated Railroad along the south
avn and western banks OF the Harlem River to Its juno
An With the road at Eleventhave.. in Inwoed and
,,b other branches and extensions as in the judg
msnt Of the Commission might be most beneficial to
~. residents Of Washington Heights This resou-
.,r contained the proviso that the privilege be ex-
,.nd.d only upon the agreement that the Manhattan
railway Company should complete the work within
.,h,een months. J. F. Sheriff. of the Twenty fourth
ward argued that the best interests Of all would be
r,ssryed by the city constructing the underground
oA in accordance with the plans OF the Commission.
charles B. slower, secretary of the Chadwick Civic
I'm. laid before the Commission the resolutions adopted
=, ue meeting In Cooper Institute on Monday evening
uurb Stephenson. Of Washington Heights, q prop
,y holder in that locality. suggested that the Man
haitian Company be permitted TO construct branch
s,arns In at Chambers-st. moving thence to Hudson
=, then up Elghth-ave. to Fifty-ninthst. TO the
Ca1o he
Ode 20 that 1t should not interfere with the tunhei
r,o,sct which might be developed In the future.
csorss L. LLOYD, representing the Journeyman Tin
a she.t Iron Workers Of the City of New-iork, pre-
..n,ed a memorial from his association protesting
.rnst further concession 10 the Manhattan Company
h nrruc that the city should Itself construct the
Underground lines under the direction OF rapid tran
sit tommisso
memorials With unusual patience and when all had
Non heard President steinway promptly declared the
rrhyc meeting adjourned and the Board went into
.Yscu,iye session. where they remained unul 'oo
o'clock. .,.
Previous to the adjournment Of the public session.
tovcyer a letter received from Ausun Cofplh
inviting consideration by the Commission OF possible
connecons with the projected tunnel under the East
River Mr. Corbih said that II the plans Oh 'he 0''u
mission could be somewhat amended the TWO systems
oo,,,d h. cot together under some arrangement that
rora he Of great value to both. The plan, ne saio
10 II could be brought about. would facilitate the con
,,,uc,ion Of the underground system through view,
vo,r which he pronounced the system best adap'eu
for rapid and comfortable service, and one that "oulu
M, reou,re further occupancy OF public streets
On the adjournment Of the executive sessoh '"'
following was submitted 70 the newspaper men
Resolved That In the opinion OF this Board inc
franchise 70 construct and operate On underground f'
recently offered by It for sale provides the ohiS
comp ehenslge and effective system OF rap'o "s' '''
this city. 800 -. o..
said franchise and as no indication has been gwen VnA'
upon modified terms Of sale there would De o.uaef o
the franchise prepared 70 deposit Win tne "o''
sufficient security for the construction OF the fosd,
At this time TO again offer such franchise for
sale. -.
Blu, whereas The labor Of the last two years mas
placed this Board In position In accordance WIN VIC ~
quifenens Of the Rapid Transit Act OF 1871 70 aga"
offer such franchise for sale upon six weeks notice.
And whereas The growing demands Of the city Will
In sle necessate the construction Of such ROAD oy
reason OF the inability any feasible system OF elevated
lines supply adequate rapid transit for the entire 'ehgn
Of the city. Now therefore. be II
That the Board holds the sale OF sad franchise
In allowance and will any time. upon information that
PROPOSED purchaser ready 70 make deposit with the
Controller sutcient justify the builder that the road
Will he built IN accordance with the plans and specihca
lions therefor AGAIN offer said franchise at public auction
in accordance with the terms Of the statute.
Re 4, further resolved That such proposed purchaser
suggest to the Board mod hcations Of the Of
ale as recently published which be made under the
of the act with due regard 10 the interests
Of the city and people. this Board VIII duly consider
the same the desire 70 secure purchaser of Tie
franchise 10 construct the railway
he IL further That for the purpose OF anoIolng
relief n the OF rapid transit Immediately ana uf
gently needed pending the construction OF such railway
Il is the duty OF Board 10 make provision therefor oy
elevated railways such manner as 70 secure inc s"
that
.ble to locate single line for this purpose IN te
n, the civ it becomes to provide sepafat iac
ties upon the East and also upon the west noe''
And whereas This Board mas determined that such
separate nes can be located and ou't hdepehuF u a
.xI.uns lines OF transit but realizes that 10 may possibly
mo 70 the hest interests OF the city that such Vlnpo"
.vsem OF transit shall be obtained by granting anu oA
sciites 10 the existing elevated railways LOT Tic ioe
reasons: !. ,,,,,,
Fr,Dceau,e there /. greater certainty Of supplying
i, su.h ,nsc,c, and In the shortest time possible the
needed relief ., inperatvely demanded For IL any au
ltoIal facilities granted TO the eNisuhs SeV"' ~
owners must az that time accept contract 70 co'"u
he same within period and In accordance WIN Va"
,ans aod specifications determined by the Board: whe
a ,,e other hand the franchise for an Independent
ys,em must be offered sale at public auction subject
o ali thu uncertainties incident TO such Gales.
Second-Because system OF the scope ana character
leedd for Immediate requirements can mus W sicaC
t1nt he attained by the Of streets and avenues
already occupied by the elevated railways "hiie an
sndent system will require the occupancy OF several
10, how used for purposes and which can thus be
pared.
rirdPecau.e the Board is odvised that public
ale under thu RAPID Transit oct OF 1891 the franchise
must be sold for gross ond not for an annual pay
nea 10 the city, while additional ia ,idss are granted
existing system this Board Is oy the ac' expressly
rested with power compensation to be paid there
or either in gross sum or by annual payments or BOTH
nus enabling the Board TO fully protect the financial in
Of the city end obtain for it probably larger revenue
would accrue from the sale OF an independent man.
Lise.
FourthBecouse under the provisions oil the act Of 1891
Board is authorized to impose condition for grant
ng additional facilities the existing elevated railways
hat travel upon their present lines shall be aneofaed
many needed respects and passengers shall be car
onit,, linnitc a j