New-York tribune., 1894-03-16
TC SECURE RAPID TRANSIT
rt1D CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BILL
MADE PUBLIC.
" WILL PROBABLY BE INTRODUCED IN THE
SENATE TO-DAY-SAMtEL ID. BABCOcK, SETH
LOW. JOHN CLAFLIN AND ALEXANDER
r ORR TO BE MEMBERS OF THE
NEW COMMISSION.

NEW COMMISSION.
The special committee of the Chamber OF Com
r,erce apponted to investigate the rapid transit
roblerp Yesterday gave out for publication the bill
drawn up by il which will to-day be introduced
into the Senate as amendment to chapter iv
or the laws OF 1891, entitled "An Act to provide
for rapid transit railways in cities of over 1~00OO
inhabitants" The bill in all its features am
Dlv provides for the solving in the best possible
av and 10 the best interests of the city the vexed
ranil transit question. The clause in the bill relat
inc 70 the building of the road reads as follows:
When the consents Of the local authorities and
the property owners or III e1 1msr1UI: c 'nS me- a W.
port of Commissioners ShalI nave Dech optameu'
the Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Gonhm,SL nm ,i
ers shall al once proceed to prepare aetaei plais
and specihcatons for the construction OF Such
ne and appurtenances deemed by it necessary to
secure the greatest efficiency, pubhc conNehence
amt,oiIe at s,pport turnouts switches. sdings. con-
nections. landing places, buildings platforms. stair;
w. suitable appliances incidental and requisite
TO what the said board may approve as the best pes,
of the public needs and requirements and the said
board may in ITS Iscreto' m ,InDn for sewer gas
~ water pipes electric wires and other conductors
mer 70 be- placed under ground, whenever neces-
construction Of any railway s apd spetnatons of
the said board
PROVISIONS OF THE MEASURE
The bill. In brief, is follows:
II provides for a new Board OF Rapid transit
Commissioners consisting of the Mayor the 'oh-
troller the president Of the Chamber of Commerce.
oxoeicio and four others. who are Samuel ID
Rohcock Seth Low. John Clafn and Alexander r.
Orr Aside from this the scheme OF the bill is to
extend The powers of the Board of RAPID transit
Commissioners under the act of 1891 so as to con-
for upon +; the right. If in its judgment II IS iouno
desirable to do So of providing for the construction
and operation of rapid transit roads Tor ana On
q he there
fore which by law. are vested in the Board
NJ Rand Transit Commissioners, are still retained
If the board should determine that IL is expedient
tina. = Rapid Transit road should be constructed
a. the expense of the city. 1t is authorized to use
an, nlan which has been heretofore adopted by the
old RAND Transit Commissioners and which has
received the constitutional assent OF the legal
authorities and the property-owners. or OF the Gen
oral Term of the Supreme Court in case the prop
er,v-owners shall have refused their consent or II
,rav nroceed 10 devise and adop; new routes and
MANS which must. in turn. be submitted 10 the
common Council and to the property-ownerS' or TO
the General Term of the Supreme Court Tor the
requisite approvals When the plans are finally
adoptcd and consented to. the board Is authorized
to advertise for proposals for the constructor anu
Power is given to the Commissioners. II they
see fit to do so. make one or several Colltrdc,s @
for the construction Of an entire system sy OF pair- az
Of system of rapid transit. The Commissonrr'
authorized to reject all the BIDS ahd n
will best promote the public interest ne success success.
ful bidder is then required to eI'or iG - a ~ 1,
for the construction OF the ROAD anu d4So ~, ar
maintain and operate the same for "A term OF Htus
a. oe nr more than fifty years The annual rental
10 be paid by the contractor TO the CITY lnuS' '
less than the interest on the bonds issued by 'ne me
city pay for the construction OF e Sne cent 1"I ron the
amount Of said bonds. In order TO secure r. i,S
the Contractor is required to enter into bond win
sureties which shall be satisfactory to the Cenihi9
soners. He is also required 70 mar d iSiicb sum
IS TO be repaid to him. with interest at ne sam sam
rate that paid by the city upon d 1f has been con-
structed equipped and the operation Of the same
commenced to the satisfaction OF the Doaru'
BONDS TO BE ISSUED.
~. nurnoss Of paying the cost OF construction
the city is authorized to issue Its bonds prncipai
ard interest payable in gold coin. to an amount
not exceeding $5OOCOc0 The road itself upon pe'hs
constructed Immediately becomes the properT y.
the city, for which it is constructed o me e h in
stock and other equipment OF the roau arr ~ ~ ~
property of the contractor proViueu pS "'' a. '''
ow Hs Substitute for the security of $4,000 when
repaid the city is TO have a hrst len upon ~ IN .1
TOs ,h hoard to enter into any agreement that may
be considered wise in reference to renewas @ ,,tn 20
stock and equipment at valuation If the lease Is Is
not renewed. The property OF the d b conir
ment of the road is to be exempt from taxation
The contract is also to provide the rates OF 10 h
Furnished The rentals received to be PAID INTO
the Sinking Fund for the redemption OF 'ne ''''
Sections 80 to ss Of the BILL both inclusive relate
exclusively 10 judicial proceedings for the appoint
ment OF commissioners of appraisal and the con,
duct of such proceedings where the Board OF tapii
Transit Commissioners shall find II necessary 10
condemn any property in order 10 provide Tor the
construction of such road.
The bill also contains a provision that where IN
the existing law vote of four members or the
board is required the number shall be Increased TO
six This Is In effect giving the same veto power
10 one member Of the board which the existing
law now provides for, the present board consisting
OF five persons and the board provided for in the
act consisting OF seven persons.
The bill also terminates the offices OF the present
Commissioners of Rapid Transit. and requires them
to transfer and deliver 10 the new board all the
records. maps. plans and other property relating
to their work. Provision is also made for the pay
ment Of the expense and compensation OF the out
going Commissioners. This was considered just
IL necessary to make provision FOR 1t in the
act. in view of the fact that the payment OF the
COMPENSATION OF the Commissioners under the pres
ent law Is dependent upon their making successful
sale of a franchise for rapid transit, which has
not been done. Provision is also made for the pay
ment of the expenses OF the new Board of Rapid
Transit Commissioners and also OF "A reasona bic
compensation TO the members thereof, other than
the Mayor and Controller which compensation Is
to be ascertained and determined in the manner
provided for In the existing law; that Is, by the
General Term OF the Supreme Court, but is TO be
paid to them from time to time.