New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-18
RAILROAD OFFICIALS SHY.
CAUTION OF THE METROPOLITAN CoMFANi
AS TO PAYING THE CITY FOR
CHANGE OF MOTIVE POWER.

CHANGE OF MOTIVE POWER.
The Sinking Fund Commissioners yesterday con-
sdered the question OF the compensation 10 DC pau
BY the Metropolitan Traction Company 10 the c'iy
for the privilege Of changing the motive power u
the railroads In Sixth and Eighth ayes. Ihere
were nresent before the Board President H. H.
vreeland Elhu Root and James c. Carter the
company's counsel; William C. Whitney, Thomas
RYAN and other wel-known Metropolitan mag
mates sa
Mayor Strong. who presided formally. Demands"
an answer to the question as to the company "
tentions and also for statement showing 'ne 80
of the two surface roads mentioned In repV Tue
corporations representatives submitted 'ypo"''
ten statement. 1t contended that they hau pee' "u
yised by counsel that the Commissioners hao ho'
the right to question them as to the COST anu '"'
they respectfully declined to make the s'a,e"e'''
The Board decided. on the motion OIL Aue' '.a
Oakley seconded by Recorder Con, 10 REFER 'io
answers to the Corporation Counsel ana ASH III"
II the Board had not the right. and. II II hao "o'
who did have II.
After the Board had disposed OF this point IL "as
suggested that Mr. vreeland, on behalf OF MS co'n
pany be invited to confer as to what arrahse"e.''
could be made that the work Oh chahe'"e ~
motive power the two roads IN quesuo" a az,
other improvements could be begun at once MI
Vreeland stood up to speak. and as oee"'''''e
The Mayor asked: I'VE would like to know from ron,
some money to the city for the privilege OF chans
ing their motive power. and what amount '''' '0'
pany would think best to pay , H., ,ho
MIR Vreeland appeared to be staggered py ,nv
question and replied that counsel OF the cop 'rn
would answer Mr.. Root on behalf OF the metro
polItan and Mr. Carter, for the two raiToau com-
NAMES replied courteously in speeches tnat ocSu
MED an hour and a half. that the companies uIu
not Acknowledge the right OF the city TO take the
roads and therefore could hardly answer sucn d
question At the end OF the conference, however,
MFR Root suggested that II the city couid guar
that IL the roads taken they wouIu De ieaseu
TO The METROPOLITAN, work might begin soon
The Metropolitan Traction Company, Mr.. hoUt
said had no substantial interest In the Two Laal-
roads but was ready TO spend $,OcoVV III inPs
ments II 1t could be assured that It's eaSe VI .le
roads from the two companies would stand oness
tho CITY could give that the roads "ouIu
be lcased to the Metropolitan on fair terms III tne
event of the requirement of the roads by the CITY
the company would not feel like putting S'V"V'
where II would be subject to litigation
Mr. Carter said that decision was 10 De reacheu
soon by the Appellate Division OF the supreme
Court on the ar peal from the decision OF Justice
Beach the right Of the city TO take the TWO
railroads $500. -. A.. r,,,,ans
John Brooks Leavltt. behalf of the Citizens
Union and Edward Hurley, for the Social REFORM
Club made speeches in favor of the city taxing tne
two railroads and Mr.. Hurley intmated that Cor
poration Counsel Scott to be blamed Tor oeiay
In the movement TO have the city take the roads
Mayor Strong and Controller Fttch expressed thef
dissent from Mr.. Hurey's opinions -
The Commissioners at length adjourned the meet
ing without taking any action. agreeing 10 nave an,
other meeting with the Metropolitan officials ana
try 10 come to some agreement on the lines suB
gested by Mr.. Root.