New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
BROADWAY,
FERRIES AND FRANCHISES
MR.. WIMAN THINKS THE FORMER
SHOULD BE OWNED BY THE CITY.
HIS CALCULATIONS AS TO PRoFIT-MR. LOW SAY
THE NEW CHARTER PLACES THE FERRIES
8th.0th SITS.

HIS CALCULATIONS AS TO PROFTT-MR. LOW SAYS
THE NEW CHARTER PLACES THE FERRIES
IN CONTROL. OF THE DOCK BOARD
The hearing yesterday the proposed Greater
New-York charer-the fifth OF the series-wai upon
the chapter, Ferries and Franchises" The mem
bers of the Commission in attendance were Mayors
Strong and Gleason. ex-Mayor Gllroy. Commission
ers butcher, DE Witt. Moore and Pinney.
Erastus Wiman said that NewYork City was
more interested In ferries than parks and yet there
was a department for the regulation of the latter
and none for the former. The city. he believed.
should own and operate It's ferries At present the
Sinking Fund Commission controlled the ferries in
a measure upon the percentage PLAN The principle,
he said. was wrong and should be abandoned In
view OF the proposed union Of the cities and ad-
jacert territory Tribute should not be demanded OF
the citizens OF borough to enter another bor-
ough. No Chinese wall should be built between the
various boroughs. The people o. Richmond County
now paid 81 900 a week. $4,000 a year for this
privilege. The Brooklyn Bridge. costing three times
the capitalization of the ferries yet carries twenty
times many people withou. dollars profit
except TO the people at large.
AS an instance OF the benefits accruing under this
idea Mr.. Wiman said that 100000 OF people paid
fares annually on the Staten Island ferry. profit
OF 10000 was made annually besides the $1,000 paid
into the city treasury. If the city had the owner
ship Of the ferries within five years 100000 Of
people would travel annually 10 the island. and at
"A three-cent fare assure a gross income OF $40
Deductng 10000 profit to the city and SO oo) more
for interest on new boats there would still remain
$4,000 for current expenses. or about N,vp day.
This would guarantee three or five minute ser
vice ana perhaps make two-and -a-half cent fare
possible.
Commissioner Low replied TO Mr., Wiman, thank
Ing him for his valuable Information and the sug-
eestions he had laid before the Commission IN his
brief All OF his suggestions had been acted on.
Mr. Low added and the control Of the ferries In
the new charter vested In the Dock Board.
Edward VI. Groui Of Brooklyn, contended that
the city should all railroads. gas plants. cleo
trc-light works ferries and all franchises OF a
similar nature. Mr.. Low replied that the Commits
he thought the matter would have to be taken up
IN future legislation.
Alfred Il. Cruikshank. OF the Kings County DEM
ocratic League urged that all franchises now OPP
Grated by private corporations should be taken by
the city through condemnation proceedings. There
was no doubt a 10 the peoples power 10 condemn,
he said If necessary vote by the people should
be ia ken on the matter Mr.. Cruikshank thanked
the Commits for the step II had taken In enact
ing that in future franchises should be granted FOR
NOT more than twenty-five years But he thought the
neonle would uphold the Commission In step FUR
ther-the absolute ownership OF franchises by the
CITY itself No new franchises should be given. he
thought where there were any protests from the
people.
As no one else present wished 10 speak the hear
Ing was adjourned until Monday afternoon at
o'clock when Education" will be discussed