New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-20
RAPID TRANSIT COMPROMISE.
REAL ESTATE AND LABOR MEN MEET.
THEY COME TOGETHER BY ACCIDENT IL SEM
TOR BROWNS HCCsE-TERMS OF
THE AGREEMENT

THE AGREEMENT
most important conference on the rapid
transit problem was held yesterday afternoon in
the stting-room of Senator William /. Browns
house, at No Ga West Scvcnty-sccond-st. The
conference was purely an accident, but it re-
suited in a decision that will change the aspect
of rapid transit legislation at Albany In
cordance with appointment made on Saturday
Senator Brown met at his home yesterday af
tcrnoon representatives Of the Legislation Com
mittee of the Trades Unions Rapid Transit Con-
ference. The committee composed Of Mat
thew Barr, Of the Tin and Sheet Iron
Workers Union; Thomas Clegg, Of the Brick
layers Union; Thomas Cunning, of the Taor,'
Union, and Charles b. Stover, secretary of the
Chadwick Civic Club. rs this committee entered
Senator Browns house they greatly surprised
10 meet committee from the Real Estate En-
change composed of Richard V. IIarnctt, John r.
Parish and Charles +. Schuyler. The gentlemen
from the Real Estate Exchange equally
surprised to see the representatives of the trades
unions.
Senator Brown received both committees cordi-
ally, and after the w0rllingmcn and real estate
men had recovered their cquanimity they
asked TO state the nature of their business.
There scme hesitation the part
OF -acn committee but it disappeared
when the tact OF Senator Brown was brought into
play. BY way Of explanation it should be said
that the promoters of tho rapid transit hi pre-
sented in the Assembly last wcel, in the interests
of the Real Estate Exchange ny A>s"mblynan
Ellison. of the XXIIId District, expected that it
would bc introduced in the Senate by Mr.. Brown.
In this they Were disappointed. The tradcN-un'on
men informed Senator Prown that they Were
preparing rapid transit bill, and he thereapon
agrcod to defer action until he had seen IT, Nr.
Stovcr had ,hs rapid transit bill IN MS
pocket yesterday when he accompanied the work
ingmcn 70 Senator Browns house. II was Il Gocl-
me't of forty printed pages. and was prepared by
John Alexander Bell, counsel for the committee.
The Real Estate Exchange Committee had
grown restless during the week. and the OBJ 'ct
of their call on Senator Brown was 10 Induce him
70 introduce in the senate the bill Of AsScmblyman
Ellison The committee from the conference Of
trades unions camc to urge the Senator to intro
duce their bill Mr. Stovcr. when seen in his
rooms at No. 14G Forsyth-st. last evening told
this story of the meeting Of the two committees:
I'VE really did not intend to have a conference
with any one except Senator Brown. Our bill
provided that rapl transit commission
should be appointed 10 form permanent DEPART
mcnt in the city government, to remain IN power
until il had constructed a new rapid transit sy-
TEN.
The question Of city operation Of the road was
| to b, submitted 10 the people AT the pols III
Novembor One bill was mandatory for city
construction at once Iut wcre mot by IN"
| opposition Of the real estate men, and realized
that some concessions must he made by both sides
| or perhaps all would be lost in conflict oi
| interests They wanted Us TO make concessions
| and we asked them to do likewise. After 'alK
| of three hours some important concessions "cro
| made. We agreed, first. 10 indorsr hlll 10
refer the question Of city construction anu own"f-
| ship TO the people next November. oar con-
| cession was TO drop the question of city opera
ton of tie road for the present and refer tic gucs
ton Of construction 10 the people AT III" polls
| We were firmly lot AGAINST AIRY oher oil ~"
| underground rapid transit franchise for sal"
| again. We declared that il was highly improha-
| bic that the franchise could he sold. and they
| admitted the truth OF this. but insisted on re-
| tanning clause 10 that effect in their hIli.
| They finally agreed q withdraw from their oil
the clause providing for Offering IN" underground
| franchise for sale al public auction again; ms
| single change in the bill. introduced bv As-
scmblyman Ellison. left 4 rapid transit bill that
| we were ready 10 support. We shall sec the
amended bill tomorrow morring rrtore 1t j.
taken 10 Albany. Senator Brown agrees to IN,
| troducc 4 bill indorsc1 by Ms ana IN" E"'l
| Estate Exchange Committee
| Senator Brown. in speaking about tho meet
ing said We hal n really rrprcs"ntatiVc inrH'
| inc here in my sittinCroom this afternoon. Real
| estate mon and the labor organizations came IN
| the conclusion that fhcv would have 10 pull 10
| gctncr. and not let the Manhattan Railroad Com
| thnv call rand transit We want rapid transit.
| real rapid transit. and all )ur strength VIII !"
| nut into the underground system mp broa1WAx
! from the Battery TO the Harlem River; shall
| rIace the bill before the Senate probably, on
| wednesday. while Asscmbyman Ellison viii IN,
troducc il in the Assembly. think we can pull