The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-07
MAYOR ON RAPID TRANSIT.
HE APPROVES THE BILL AMEND
N THE PRESENT LAW.

Moreover. ne IL COns,derinE Pisns
Looklng 20 the Extension OF the Etc.
waited System 60 Yonksrs Within Two
Ysars-Anti-R apId Transit Arguments -.
After a hearing. which lasted over two hours.
Mayor Strong snid yesterday that he would APP
prove the bill amending the present Rapid
Transit law, and more than that, he had told
Alexander f.. Orr, before the bill went to AL
bany, that he would approve IL. The bill looks
to the relief of the contractor, who undertakes
the job of digging the big hole In the ground
FOR $4,000, 900. Under the present law the
contractor and lessee must pay into the sinking
fund one per cent. of 500. 10000 o for each year
curing the period OF years he may operate the
ROAD between thirty-ive and fifty. This
Dill relieves the contractor OF this con-
dition for the first five years, and requires
him 70 pay into the sinking fund ono half
OF one per cent. during tho second five years,
unless In any year the total receipts exceed five
per cent. of tho $50, 900. 900. when any surplus
must be turned over to the sinking fund. The
contractor Is still held to his obligation to pay
the 31a per cent. interest on his bonds. The
other important amendment exempts from tax
alton oil the equipment OF tho road except real
estate. Among those present Mt the hearing
were Alexander L. Orr. Lewis l.. Dclaheld,
A. Il. Boardman. Edward NJ. Shepard, f.
A. Taller, George Iabriskie. and n delegation of
Broadway merchants. headed by w. +. King of
Calhoun, Robinson & Co. Mr.. Zabrlskie was
the frst speaker In opposition to the bill.
lie repeated his previous umen against
the use Of Broadway for the tunnel. and then.
taking up the bill, made an elaborate argument
against 1t. lie said that it in itself was a con-
fession on the part OF the Rapid Transit Com
mission that the tunnel could not be built for
$50. 600, 900. He said in part:
The Rapid Transit Commission have gone
to the Legislature and have had a bill passed to
carry out certain ideas for the benefit of the
contractor, for the ease OF the Commission, and
to the detrimento Of the city. The bill provides
that the lessee OF the road may he exempted
from the payment o. any interest on the outlay
Of the city for hve years. Nov one per cent. on
$50, OOO, 900 Is 100000. and II you relieve him
OF that Tor five years You save him 81, 10000.
If you relieve him Of half OF one per cent. for
i've years more yru will have put in his pocket
So 30 900. That, of course, IL the City's loss.
Not only that, but the city loses the interest on
that money from that time to the end of the
lease. The object OF this bill Is clearly to put
this money into the pocket OF the contractor.
The Rapid Transit Commission have said
that in taking Broad way they did 50 in order to
make the Job more attractive for the contrac-
pose to give him this 81. 80, 900 in addition.
The second amendment exempts all the
The testimony before the supreme Court Com
mission as to the cost Of this equipment varies
Commission made very low, totally Inadequate.
estimates. The best authorities place the cost
of equipment at 81. O0O. 900 To provide this
the contractor must be put in funds. The Rapid
Transit Commission does this indirectly by the
exemption ofinterest OH bonds: What becomes OF
all this equipment In the end ? The Rapid Transit
Commission may take it Off the hands of the
contractor. but they must pay for 1t. and they
therefore pay for 1t In advance and again ut the
end. All the city will have at the end of the
contract is a hole in the ground and the rails
the rolling stock. the wires, and power houses;
all must be bought. The scope OF the blll in
indirection is TO compel the city to pay more
fhan S1D 600 OUO. The city will not sanction An
increase OF cost OF $1,000, 900 brought about
by the loss of this m9 1Ih,y and md its rs, interest ,6s ron.
tractor from the restrictions. the liabilities, and
duties placed upon all railroad corporations by
already adopted provide for galleries on either
sewer pipes. &c. The Whole area above these
galleries is to be devoted to electrical conduits.
This bill provides that the Commission can re-
move all water. gas and sewer pipes. rheumatic
tubes tbes s ire: tor h 1he d t.me p ,hnm a the p powe lnt IN r ,h
move these electric conduits, and thus all the
tenants on broadway may be compelled, to use
electric light instead of gas, and although these
electrical subway companies are TO have exclu-
sive use of the street they are not to pay more
Mr.. Zabriskie was followed b, ". F. King;
who said nothing about tho bill. but argued
He spoke for Broadway merchants. as did Ben;
jamin IL. Herts, William NJ. Keepers. and
Mr.. Orr spoke for the bill. and was helped out
by Mr.. Shepard, Mr.. Boardman; and Chief En-
gineer Parsons. Mr.. Orr said that under the
present bill the contractor would still have to
pay the 3ty per cent. interest on the bonds. Tho
exemption OF the payment of the money into the
sinking fund was deemed necessary in order to
secure n contractor, and even with this conces-
sion it was doubtful If one could be got. As to
the matter of removing pipes. he said that none
could be touched without the consent or the
city authorities.
Now. gentlemen said the Mayor, III l
should disapprove this bill it would make no
difference about the. building of the road In
Broadway. This bill Is an improvement on the
present one. and ! agreed to sign It before it
went to Albany. | think 1t will increase the
chances OF getting n contractor. and 80 l will
sign it,"
The Mayor then said something about elevated
rapid transit in general. lie said he thought it
would be some time longer than many thought
before the tunnel was built. He was therefore
trying to induce the elevated railroad to give
extended rapid. transit. and IL the company
would take hold OF 1t in n week or ten days he
would present plans to the Rapid Transit Com
mission. "fhopc.' said he, that the Rapid
Transit Commission will concur with mo so
that there will be rapid transit to Yonkers In
two years"