The sun., 1894-09-24
A GREAT QUESTION.
Shall New York City Build It's
Own Rapid Transit Route?
The RAPID TRANSIT ACT OF 1894,
A Review Of This Act by the Hon.
Peter B, Sweeny,

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Asur reporter called on Mr.. Peter b. Sweeny to |
,>arn h,s views In regard to the financial portion
Of the Rapid Transit act, some questions having
beeu snsrested in regard to It. he having heio
the once of City Chamberlain and on several
occasions having cleared up difficulties OF mu-
u,oipal administration In connection with tne
sinking Fund. Mr.. sweeny said that before MS
vacation he had examined the Rapid Transit
art. and while he was willing to confine himseI
N the financial part Of the scheme, he would
prefer TO treat the whole question. with liberty
n, refer b his brief for data and authority. The
interview took that FORM and leaving out the
leadins questions and emitting technical refer
snces, the connected story. as Mr.. sweeny told
h.follows:
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Tbe Yeou,rernents for rapid transit for our
efty 10 conform remote distances 10 business ne
sc~siies are greater than those Of any other city
IN the Union. because Of the form OF our island.
creating "a city OF one dimension." The gene
rality of this great municipal want gives any
effort for It's relief widespread popularity
when the Rapid Transit act was passed In 1891
there was q sense Of relief and gratihcation
throughout the community at the promise which
I, hed ut Rapid communication between dis
tapt points ia n nece.sity for the prosperity OF
the city. and TO maintain the required standard
of pouulation as the metropolis OF the nation.
We have all the territory we require; we need
enly the means to make II accessible 80 that u
may be populated.
The area OF Manhattan Island is about $4,000
acres: q considerable portion north Of Fifty
ninth street Is unoccupied. The annexed dis
tyict on the other side Of the Harlem River has
nearly the same area, with magnificent attrac-
tjons and opportunities for residences and gen
eral development, especially in the neiRhhor-
hood Of the new PARKS. for which our taxpayers
have so recently paid slO.oO0.OOo
These parks and the parkway are nine in num-
her. embracing over 1000 acres, combining
great natural resources and every variety OF
land and water scenery. Pelham Park alone,
on the Sound, has a coast line nearly nine miles
in extent. In Van Cortlandt Park 120 acres are
set apart for parade ground for the National
Guard. All these parks require large outlays
for development No expenditure In the expert
ence of the city Government IL 10 profitable as
that made ia the acquisition and Improvement
of public parks. The taxable values OF the sd-
joining land enhance rapidly as 10 soon re-
nay the outlay. But aside from that considera-
tion. the advantages Of snch parks, within ac-
cessible distance. to the recreation. health, and
happiness of great community cannot be
measured. In this beautiful region. II all else
fail. the greater New York will eventually find
its seat, and here all the development Of popu-
lation and progress necessary 20 maintain New
York in the front rank the Empire City OF
the Union can be fully maintained.
The Rapid Transit Commissioners appointed
under the act of 1891 during the three years OF
their futile life exhibiting only retarding. abor-
tive efforts, left the question: at the assembling
OF the late session of the Legislature. of urgent
importance, in the front rank for legislative
treatment. when the Chamber OF Commerce
composed as it is of men who have succeeded In
adepartment OF effort requiring the highest
qualities, undertook the task Of providing a
scheme Of rapid transit, their public spirit Wa
commended by press and people. and their
ability relied upon and approved. The scheme
which has been adopted Is theirs in form and
substance, under the guidance of their profes-
sional adviser. except the voting feature.
It's TO be strongly borne In mind, however. s'
the outset that these gentlemen have shown, In
their movement. an entire want Of confidence Ii
their plan q business, capital paying, enter
prise The efforts that had been made to sell d
auction q franchise Of rapid transit by thu
former Commissioners, and the investigation
which Il must be presumed were made by th'
ssntlsmsn of the Chamber of Commerce, proved
apparently. that the project OF rapid transit
which they contemplated, would not enlist capi
talistio support. Hence the city At large wa
put In the breach. and the treasury of the tax
pAysrs, in effect, As ! shall show, has been en-
tirsly surrendered for the present and future u
the scheme In aid OF the eventual railroal
grantees.
The total limit Of the borrowing capacity o
the city, at the latest increase OF valuations, u
- 80 d k.afs an.
sixty Millions under the restriction OF the con
stitutional limitation. Il Is proposed 10 devOt
atty millions OF this eircumscribed treasure. q
the outsst. and the Lord only knows how muel
more aftsrwArd. TO an experimental effori
which its authors have practically declared 3
be = non-paying project. Surely. II the promo
tsrs In question had believed that the sehem
would command private capital they would no
have proposed 20 mortgage the city credit up Z
the hilt for this single, sO-called munieipa
measure, leaving all other interests TO suffe
from the complete absorption OF the limite
capital II must be at the eity's expense or 1
effect not At all; for II you take out of the la'
that which provides, practically for the deyC
ton Of all the resources Of the city. or niue
thereof - have mentioned, 10 this one Objec
that which remains leaves the question where
stood with the old Board Of Rapid Transit Com
missionsrsL
Ths eAfdlnAl starting point OF the policy Q
the present scheme Is that the locally electe
authorities are not 20 be trusted 20 rspressn
the city. In any degree, except that the Mayo
and Comptroller are made members OF IL
Board. composed OF eight mem bers, the remain
ing six being specially named, and the votes
ak absolutely controlling The proposition
have the important result accomplished on th
credit Of the city presents q captivating attral
tiOn TO the general public, because IT appears
furnish . guarantees that the work will be don,
inAsmueh As 1t leaves the public treasury, Ehic
by many i supposed 70 be insIhAustibls, 70 q
IL al AAd nohOdy's pOekst l. supposed 70
touched. The marvellous error Of this Assuml
ti0n Sill soon mAks apparent
This measure, % eOeroed As " its eOnstru
tiOn. involved labor on the part Of the Attorns
selected for the task Of great magnitude. tn
scheme, as it sAs enacted is the most remar
able administrative project Of modern time
considering its powers and the constitution