New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-23

u
sratio, had not been bestowed upon the item OF
cost In the construction Of an underground road.
MFR Inman also pointed out what. in his View
would be the most feasible plan OF rapid transit
to be considered now. his suggestion being an
extension Of the elevated railroads He SAID
when seen at his home. No. SI4 Fifth-ave.. last
night:
'oThe decision Of the Appellate Division OF the
Supreme Court is final, and. of course, the Cd
iectons raised by 1t TO the underground rairoad
plan stand without contemplating any conten-
ton OF the points made In the decision, however
I regard the conclusion that the Commissioners
did not clearly and explicitly determine the eN-
act cost of an underground road as severe ar
raignment not justified by the circumstances OF
the case The fact Is that the Commission Was
assured by competent contractors that the work
couId he done 70: $40 900 OOO and certainly not
more than $50.000000 the sum to be appro-
priated by the city The cost was fully deter
mined. despite the declaration to the contrary
Scriptural references and all.
However. that is not for consideration now
The question to be decided is what system OF
rapid transit shall be employed to afford the
city proper facilities soon as possible The eN-
tension of the elevated railroads presents itself
as the solution OF the problem With the author
ity vested in the Rapid Transit Commission TO
make this move 1t would be a matter OF com
paratively little time when the much-needeu
rapid transit would be realized.
IF the elevated railroad extension be decided
upon ard the city assume the cost OF cons'ruc-
tion the bids of contractors could be promptly
considered without the many additional details IN
volved in the plan OF building an underground
road Two new elevated roads would he desirable
one more on the East Side and another on the
West The West Side line could be constructed
from the Battery through West-st. To Eleventh
then up Seventh-ave and the Boulevard or EleV-
enth-ave. and beyond the Harlem River. The
East Side road could run from the Battery along
Water-st. to Catharine and follow the most avail
able avenue through to Harlem
by the city constructing and operating these
two new elevated roads the question OF rapid
transit will be satisfactorily settled
Seth Low also a member Of the Rapid Transit
Commission. was seen at his home. No. 30 East
SIxty-fourth-s; but he declined to express any
opinion regarding the decision. He had no sng-
gestion to offer present as 10 the future con-
sheraton OF rapid-trnnsit plans
II have looked only at extracts OF the decision
Mr.. Low said land do not wish to express an
opinion without having given full consideration TO
the points made.
OTHER ROUTES NAY BE FOUND
Lewis I. Dela0elA the secretary OF the Rapid
Transit Commission. said that In his opinion
there could he no appeal from the decision be-
cause the Justices had based their opinions on
facts and had not raised questions u law when
might be reviewed by the Court of Appeals
while the decision knocks out the whole Plaza
OF the Rapid Transit Commission ne said' !
do not think that IL necessarily means that the
c. mmission might not find other routes Tor an
underground road That is a matter foT me
Commission 10 determine. The Commission VIII
meet again on Monday ut D. m.
MIR. Delafeld said he would not cI'ilcise 'ns
decision. but speaking Of the expressed likelihood
that the cost Of the underground ROAD WouId rN-
haust the bond capacity Of the city he said:
Between 1877 and 1872 city bonds To- me
amount Of SG6 0O0,0O0 Wee issued exclusive 81
revenu. bonds ard yet such were the operau pns
Of the Sinking Fund that the debt OF the city
was Increased only SloO0OOon in the hye years
and the bond capacity II the city was Sl'""'-
600 grea ter at the end or the hVe years INA" II
vas in 1857
what has the work of the Board OF Rapid
Transit Commissioner cost from the start up
to the present time" Mr.. Delaned was asked
He referred 10 the record and replied:
From June - to date S9l o5i 80 has been ex-
pended FOR all purposes. but the liabilities IN
CURED by the special commission appointed by
the General Term Of the supreme CouI' are sun
Mr.. Delaneld said these liabilities were not
Known - him. They may amount u S2oulp or
more.
RUSSELL SAGE LIKES IT. OF COURSE.
THE decision" said Russell Sage yesterday. -
rot only important SO far as IT affects rapid tran
Sit but also In its general relation T. the interests
of the people and the city. The act. In the first
place was dangerous to the credit ~ IN" munich
pality, and. again IL was d-norallzlng In other
ways: for. IL the people'r money could be eNpend-
ed for such an impracticable scheme AZ IN" pro
posed underground road. II could be squandered
in other needless undertakings always felt
confident that the underground road would not
be built For one thing. 1t would not pay. People
would not leave the open air 10 ride In a hol" In
the ground
rapid transit nearer than II has ever been before
For the broad reason that Il reckless enterprise Is
not to be consummated capitalists viii feel more
secure and will be willing to embark In feasible
projects. The stockholders Of the Manhattan
Railway Company will feel more confidence In
their investment. The stock viii not he threat
ened by destruction or impairment through lcgs-
lation like the Rapid Transit act. The company
will now be willing 10 go ahead and put new
money into extensions and improvements for II Is
assured that cOnhscatory legislation In this state
is hereafter TO be impossible. The desire ~ the
company will be to give to the people Of the city
OF New-York the best system Of apid transit that
reason and experience provide
J. Archibald Murray. OF Burrlll. Zabrlsltic 4
Burrill, counsel for Broadway property owners
said:
The decision simply knocks out the route de-
cided upon by the Rapid Transit Commission
The Commission go ahead and lay out an
other route. All IT has TO do is to propose line
which 1t can demonstrate can be built for $50
100000 What IL did WAS 10 project line that
could not be built for $50.O000OO. 1t created the
scheme and proposed II let the city settle. cost
what II might. While do not speak for the
Commission. ! presume 1t will map out new
route"
MANHATTAN STOCK ADVANCES.
The stock Of the Manhattan Railway Company
was quiet and was quoted at 1O2is on the Stock
Exchange before the decision was announced.
but as soon as the news OF the decision reached
Wall Street there clamOr for the stock,