New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-24
RAPID TRANSIT IN SIGHT.
CITIZENS APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE
OF THE NEW LAW.
JUST WHAT ITS PROVISIONS ARE-coNFIDENcE
THAT PROGRESS WILL NOW BE MADE TO
MEET THE cITY's CRYING NEED.

have been vetoed by Governor Flower. the eyes
of the people appear to be gstening with tears
Of thankfulness ove- the fact that the Chamber
OF Commerce Rapid Transit act has actually been
saved from the general wreck Hope as 10 the
approval by the Governor Of this bill at
such low ebb, after all that has gone before.
that almost every one was afraid to utter above
a whisper any confidence In executive sanction
of the measure
The Rapid Transit act approved by the Cham
Der OF Commerce was drawn up by Henry r.
Beekman, former Corporation Counsel 1t was.
in fact, In the nature Of an amendment or the
Rapid Transit act of 1891. providing for the
organization Of the commission which has ex-
listed since that time. The act contained
many of the sections and clauses Of the old
A CAREFULLY DRAWN MEASURE.
Mr.. Beekman said yesterday that the new
law was carefully prepared to meet every pos
sbe objection 1t provided in the first place
that the commission should comprise the Mayor,
the Controller. the President Of the Chamber OF
Commerce. by virtue of his Office and the fol-
lowing named persons: Samuel D. Babcock, Seth
Low, John Clanin and Alexander Il. Orr. This
constituted n membership Of seven. But subse-
quently 1t was thought well TO have a member
OF the old board in the body. Mr.. Babcocks
name was withdrawn and that Of William Stein
way, chairman Of the retiring commission, re-
placed It, Then the name of John H. Starn. an
associate Of Mr. Steinway In the old board
was added This was In April. when Charles
Stewart Smith was president Of the Chamber
of Commerce Though II was publicly announced
weeks ago that Mr. Smith would retire from
that office early In May. and that Mr.. Orr would
be his successor. the bill passed without the
removal Of Mr. Orr's name. Thus the commits
sion consists legally Of eight members. Mr. Orrs
succession OF Mr.. Smith to the presidency or the
Chamber OF Commerce therefore creates va
cancy which. under the provisions OF the law
may be flied by the Commissioners themselves
II IS believed that Mr. Smith will be elected TO
tho vacancy. and thereby the judgment 81 one
more valuable man will be added to the board.
The point is agltated that the six members OF
the Board. aside from the Mayor ana the Con
troler are members OF the Chamber OF CONF
merce 1t is pointed out that these SIX men
Of irreproachahlc integrity and eminent IN inc
business community. serve on the board as pr
vate citizens, and not ~ members OF any o'k'''i-
cation Mr.. Steinway. Mr.. Starin ana MT ih'"a"'
,or that matter were ali members u the Cham
Der of Commerce while discharging their uut'eS
IN the old board SO that this institution had
representation OF three-hfths on that COMMISSION
CHANCES ~ THE MEASURE
Mr.. Beekman explained yesterday that II was
the orlginal purpose to have a commission %
seven members Section 81 of the bill OF 1871
provided practically that the franchises ASSOC
clated with new route devised by the o'n '''''-
rrission could not be awarded. except 10y the
concurrent vote 81 all the members Of "t'u
hoard" to any other rpo,ation, meaning. o''
course. the Manhattan Company. This proviso
.x,sts also under the new act. Mr. B"ckman
cal, further that the original lin was 50 drawn
with respect % the number that should CONF
prise a quorum. that the Mayor and Controller
would actually. through their votes. possess
veto mower. Now. under the new law SIX ou'
OF eight can make contracts. The unkcring Dy
the Legislature with tho law as orgiha"E
drafted is responsible for these changes
with regard 10 the referendum clause some
MISUNDERSTANDING have evidently eNiS''' IL
has been believed by some that the commiSsio"'
o,.or orgoniz,nr could adopt plans and OFFER The
franchises FIR gale At once. but II there WAS
failure 70 secure bidders tho referendum "o"'
be- appliod Mr Bcrkman saws that 'hc vi
work II the commission is a. - on WI" W. 49,,
c,,esti"n viii Doe submitted - the voters IN th'
municipality whether tho city shah l9'u' 80"
necessary bonds 10 fccute we ,.'..r, II IN.
Inc road as "a municipal lnpi'|tH'H.. " I'
nDople decide by their ballots That inc IH ,.
aboI H.. built out Of fun t. advanced by thc ',H.
,i,en tho road must be DUH IN N"'9 mann
If mo- vote adversely. then The nrW fo'niinSs
i'',,,cs uosscss,d Of the powers Of the oIi' anu
must offer the franchise for sale
THE REFERENDUM CLAUSE
ca far "a the point to be decided hy the people
&c concerned Section 81 Of the new bill' pFo''u'7
In short that the city shall issue bonds not 'N-
cecdlng 10000 600 lat such rate Oh in'e'e9.
not exceeding g.. per cent year as .he bohau
Of Estimate ana Apporiionmeht haS ~ ,ar
10. ti.tlI fDf les
,.aiuc The bonds are to- be free from taNall1 ,
for CITY and county purposes. ana siai pe p".N
at maturity ont Of the snkhs Iunu "a ~ ~" f,r os
nrcrt ~ the city debt. II IS provided 80 la' ~
~. nc, aDplics specifically - Ncw-i0 lhat tlr
corporation leasing IN" ROAD rom the 0,s ''1, ,i
pay the interest on these bonus anu r. s,6
additional 10 be applied To- me HlA@lhS ~" n
,..,,ltn, f. tho statement ol the Napd ran
slt Committee Of the Chamber oi C'hhelc', VA
HIGHEST estimate f.: the constructor u 'I1 9, t.
80 outlined I'm the bill was sio""'oo' anu ~ - -
-, ,rof thls amount Is largely IN excess "
,hc osfiunto mnde by the retiring hdPiA li""n.'
Gn,,mi,sion after Il thoroughly conducted hyS
ten of bonugs to hnd ouI me pr'' aSd ",I~n-
gub-strata OF the earth On the l'ili"S' an" 1
,,t,,s hssod on The cost OF driving a tnhh'i ""'
~ masonry IA arching and ho"rinE 49,. eta
nv, c,,, census % opinion seems to be mat t''e
- ,nt ON rr,ve through rs operation az
,,,,c'r nal undertaking for The beneni oil the pc
nle managed By pfacucaI CUISINES MI" ,r. ~
are named in the copir'-ioii' l'' ~ ,rha
b Income ia the future. It's hren cN,S,S' >
...a,,,lliup thousands seeking the pTlNi'b'H ~
transportation up ard down Town. nlo' ns , t,'a
~, and GLADLY accepting even standlhb-
rnr IN the ears. which cntl;e them 20 seats les
rif,' 10 the fact that some measure OF re..l Wi
he most agreeable and The oniy rel'I 10 suppush
-, 80 .Lo f,rwarJing ~ the enterprise whlcn
me pnbllc-spiritea members Of the Chamber Oh
Commerce have evolved by the adoption , oil ,ne
famous Hewitt plan. Indeed. mere - a uiapDaa,
.""' ,he nart If tho Chamber Of Commerce
ncoplc interested in the plan 10 accord 10 Ar'
PI,a,,i,t an exalted degree Of credit in connec-
lion with the progress If the worK'
VIEWS or THE COMMISSIONERS
Charles Stewart Smith was not. at the Ch"'''Del
~ Commerce yesterday. but his views are wei
known. for he aide In developing the Dill slgheu
by Governor Flower Mr.. Innan' one OF inc
former Commissioners. emphasized MS Deiei ''H'
IT,, =. .,,.t,, u.o,,,d ne forthcoming 10 carry the