The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-07

Reasons why the city should hay the sixth
ana the Eighth Avenue surfnce RoadS-The
Unexplained Innction OF the Authorities.

| nC-SDirttO0 cQltOrlnl on ClIy oWHCIouip W
Street Railroads" published in your paper on
the LIST Of this month, after pointing out that
tho city has an opportunity OF buying in the
Sixth and the Eighth avenue railroads and
operating them at n clean yearly profit of
1918, 900, you argue that tho city should
acquire these roads, and ask: why has
tho city for so many years slept upon Its
rights under its contracts with these street sur
faco railroad companies. and why have the
lessees OF tho roads treated rs nugatory the
agreement providing for their sale to the city y
Permit me to say that the answer Is not, as you
suggest, doubt as to the right of the city TO buy
these railroads. The true answer is the supinc
Indifference OF the authorities-Stato and city
and their disinclination to move In this matter.
Here are the facts:
Six weeks ago tho Metropolitan Street Rail-
way Company. controlling and operating 100
miles OF street surface railroads IN this city,
went before the State Board OF Railroad Com.
missioners and asked the boards consent to tho
substitution OF electricity for horse power on
about fifty miles of its roads. For this consent,
which would practically amount to the grant of
new franchises and would greatly increase tho
value Of tho rights Of the owners Of the lines.
this railway company offered no compensation;
nor did the board suggest that any compensa-
tion BIO paid for these valuable rights. Counsel
for organized labor supplied to the board a list
Of 367 points in this city where this company
pcrsistently violates the law by refusing TO give
transfers over its connecting owned and leased
lines, and argued that the board should not
grant any privileges to this company until II
showed a willingness and intention to comply
with the law in the matter Of transfers. To this
argument the board paid little attention. While
II is true that the Board OF Railroad Commits
sioners is limited in its power OF coupling con-
ditippu xrifh ia ,onuant IN m ,ha-1a ~ ,aatt,-n
power, it would seem to have been most natural
for the board to have given this company to I'M
derstand that new privileges would not be
granted. gratis. to q company persistently dere-
lict in its duty to the travelling public.
This board is charged with supervisory powers
over tho railroads Of the State. 1t cannot grant
is s s9ns %itb to q change snsb c of motive Row,edT' but but
a small consideration valuable rights in his
grantee, If ii violated its duty. not only to the
grantor but also to weaker persons. as TO whom
Within three days. after the hearings Of these
applications were closed the board granted its
consent to the use OF these new franchises.
Again, at these hearings counsel for a rival
street railway corporation. acting, doubtless, in
seitinterest: showed to this board that. as you
grants to the Sixth and the Eighth avenue
railroad companies. whose roads the Metropoli-
rentals of $4,000 and S2l5.OO0 respectively,
the city could buy in these roads at only 10 per
cent. advance on their cost of construction. Coun-
sci urged that the Transformation of these two
roads into electric roads would greatly increase
their value; that this transformation would
probably be made the occasion for increasing
the bonded Indebtedness OF these two lines; that
electrical equipment and bonding these roads
greater than the original cost OF construction,
and that. should the city see fit TO buy these
roads as they. stand to-day. inexpensive but
exceedingly valuable horse car lines. it could get
them at a good bargain. 1t would be obliged to
hence counsel urged that these new privileges
should not be granted as to the sixth and tn
the board paid little or no attention. Without
conditions, save general ones as to compliance
VIZ YIN nc laws and conditions as 10, speed. did
TINS board grant to a company. which already
controls nearly every mile OF street surface rail
road in this city. the further franchise OF CON
miles OF the city.s streets. To be sure. the con.
sent of this board is not a complete grant to this
The permits OF several local AUTHORITIES. namely.
the Commissioner Of Public Works. the Common
Council. the Park Department, and the Board OF
Electrical Control, must also be secured before
such valuable rights can be obtained without
fSS oarPS ssid im e sS pr!y "a corporation; But this
yom can have these franchises for nothing"
The next step toward securing these new fran.
chlses was an application made some ten DAYS ago
Works for his permission for the construction OF
appearing fns for aHn the sn SFetropoli TaHaS Street aele R saiRsei:
Company. asked this custodian OF the city's in
''Itst III tuc puDAlC- slrtcts lOr MS permission TO
excavatc therein. In form 1t was an application
ioT permission haI to dig up the streets; n reality
new franchises in Nifty miles OF streets"fran.
chiSes asked for and expected to be acquired
without the payment, OF a cent, comparatively
tention of the Commissioners TO the present
great value and the enhanced future value of
these lines OF road. and laid before the Commits.
sioner the facts stated TO the Board of Railroad
Commissioners. namely, that the permission
the Eighth avenue lines. in view Of the fact that
these franchises could be acquired at so great a
profit to the city.
The attitude of the Commissioner thus far in
this matter is surprising. The press quotes him
as saving that he did not see how any action OF
his could estop the city from asserting whatever
rights 1t may have in the matter OF acquiring
these franchises, and that the city's interest
sent. II is true. the conditions which The Com.
missioner can couple with his permit arc few, |
hardly possible that the sober second Judgment
OF the Commissioning and OF the able Deputy
Commissioner can allow them to grant their con: !
chance 70 be heard in this matter.
In striking contrast to this mysterious indifrer-
Commission Public works is III" action Of the Inc
Board OF, Aldermen, which appears next in this /
franchises. The hoard OF nidermsS n'f by insI Raii.
rSad Sommi,tser learning OF the city,,s rights in
alive to the city's interest therein. have
informed the Commissioner of Public Works of |
fsG facts Sr,i in the hsn case and have requested him TO
- " h'' kioh " Nv MI |
Instability OF the city acquiring these roads.
This report is expected daily, and it seems hard
~ possible that a second local authority can give |
its consent while the City Fathers are investi.
eating with "a view TO buying the property.
Then comes tho Third Avenue Railroad Com |
pany and offers in writing. first. To buy these |
two roads from, the city and pay therefor the cost
or construction and VI 900, 900 cash in advance
thereon; and. second, to lease these two roads at |
4 yearly rental of 10 per cent. on that price.
beside D per cent. of the gross receipts.
Then comes The Corporation Counsel. Instead
OF suggesting ways by which the city can secure |
these franchises, keen lawyer that he is. he fairly |
hristles with objections. The reason why the |
city cannot buy these two roads, the Corporation
says, is that il has not the money and
has no way of getting il. In answer 10 il
comes me statement in your issue OF the Sd inst.
ing the city to raise the funds necessary. Fur.
Their, even II the city could raise the money the
Corporation Counsel says it can buy them, no
matter what change comes over the lines. True. |
but tho city al the present time. before The
snormons cost of electrical equipment has
been added. can buy these properties, worth. az
you say, 81 900, 900, for about 81 400. OOO. But