New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-07
A CHANCE FOR RAPID TRANSIT
THE COMMISSIONS BILL ON THE SUB
JECT APPROVED BY THE MAYOR.
AN OFFICIAL HEARING-MR. STRONG HOPES THE
ELEVATED ROADS WILL MAKE SOME

AN OFFICIAL HEARING-MR. STRONG HOPES THE
ELEVATED ROADS WILL. MAKE SOME
IMPROVEMENTS
Mayor Strong yesterday. after long hearing on
the bill drawn by the Rapid Transit Commission to
facilitate It's efforts to secure contractor to build
the rapid transit underground lines. approved the
measure and sent 1t TO the Governor
In announcing his decision Mayor Strong gave ex-
preston the belief that the cy's hope OF rapid
transit in the future rested mainly In the ee-
waited railway extensions, which have been the sub
jcct of conferences at the Mayors office between
himself and Messrs. Gould and Sage. He said: Il
am of the opinion that 1t viii take long time.
much longer In fact than the Rapid Transit Com
missioners think. to build the underground railroad
I trying to induce the e.evate1 road people to
give us rapid transit in the mean time. think that
II the elevated road takes hold don't know that
1t will mind you-it will help out OF a bad place.
Pans will be lad before me by the company in the
next ten days. which | shall submit to the Rapid
Transit Commission for its approval. | believe that
this rapid transit above the Harlem would fill up
the vacant lots up there. | hope the Commissioners
Will cooperate with me- and If they do | believe
the elevated road will give rapid transit for five
cents within the next two years"
The bill approved by the Mayor is entitled AN
act to provide rapid transit railways in cities of
over 10000 inhabitants" About two dozen busi-
ness men appeared at the hearing in the Mayors
Office among whom were Alexander F.. orr Lewis
l.. Delaneid T. y. Taller Lawson y. Fu,.er Ed
ward ~ shepard George Zabrskie and William F.
King The opponents OF the bill were heard first
and the opening argument was made by George
Zabriskic who represented property holders along
Broadway Mr.. Zabriske said that the bill was
nothing better than attempt TO get some fat jobs
for contractors and was drawn with particular
regard for the contractors. who would get all the
benefits: for the ease OF the Rapid Transit Commits
sloners and the detriment OF the city
William +. King the next speaker lie salu
that the people crying for rapid transit. but
what was offered to them was n ditch that wouid
destroy the only thoroughfare this city has injure
its commercial value business highway ana
divert 70 other channels more than N.MoooU
the Commission had thus far provided was a num-
Der OF local trains 90 faster than eight miles
an hour and an express system running no raster
than seventeen miles an hour. is this rapid tran
ST. he inquired
Ben jimin III. Herts and W. IL. KEEPERS also sPohe
against the bin. . .
Alexander f. orr. OF the Rapid Transit Commits
sion. spoke in favor OF the bill. In regard 10 us
favoring the contractor he said that II simply re-
leved the contractor from paying per cent TOT inc
mrs, i've years into the sinking Fund. but did not
absolve him from paying the interest on the bonds.
IL also provided. he said. that all receipts over .
per cen, should 70 into the Sinking Fund. lie al
rnltfed tna' the contractor was specially CONSUL
.r.d hu, he said that done so that the city
might get the best results FOR under the old Dill
contractors would hesitate 20 take hold OF the prof.
.ci Thus the broadway route had 10 be taken as
Welding the largest profits. and because OF It's at
tractVrncss to contractors.