New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-09
TRACTION CHANGESO OPPOSED
PROTESTS AGAINST CONCESSIONS TO
THE METROPOLITAN CoMPANf'

MAYOR STRONG RECEIVES DELEGATIONS rN'"
THE CITY CLUB AND KNIGHTS or LABOR
AN INJUNCTION APPLIED FOR AGAINST
COMMISSIONER coI.Liss PERMIT
Citizens Of New-York generally have expressed
surprise over the apparent eagerness VI So.".
the city officials TO aid the metropolitan lracto,
compary in it's plans to change the motive po"'
on the Eighth Avenue Railroad 10 the underground
trolley. Many have said that they cannot 49,
stand why tho officials do not wall an" dS'' '"'''
If the city can get 100000 in lump sum, u
large sum annually by buying back the ' 'i''oD
in Sixth and Eighth ayes. and se'''''s Vi
,hen to the noverful rival OF the company no"
controlling them.
The plea that the city's right will not he harmed
by permitting change Of motive power on 'hoTe
railroads has been answered by the statement ina.
the city will not be able 10 get any proht OUT Oh
the purchase and sale OF the roads II the railroad
company is allowed to tear IN the avenues lay
electrical conductors and new tracks on us own
terms and issue an enormous amount OF "a'e'eo
stock 10 meet the expense OF the Work
larra delegation of men. representing inc
Knights of Labor and other organizations, dP-
peared before the Mayor Yesterday ana urseh MN
10 take sters for the requirement of the railroads
in Sixth ard Eighth ayes. by tho city petition
was presented stating some advantages OF munich
nal ownership and management OF street railroads
II WAS stated that the two railroads cost about
81 2sOeN and could be ACQUIRED h. thc city for
abou, $4,000 whil, they earn nearly S2ooV"
wear
NJ /. Towns said tina, the city could issue bonds
for S40Dooo0 take the roads change the motive
power to electricity and solve the question OF
rapid transit without building Underground
road II the tendency 10 railroad monopoly IN
this city was not checked soon. he said. the rail-
road company would soon control all the city
roads and thus control the values Of building lots
Hugh Grennan and A. d. Bolton Of the knights
Of Labor. spoke in favor Of the ownership Of the
railroads by the city saying that there would he
no railroad strikes under municipal control and
that the railroad fares in the city could hc reduced
10 two cents Mayor Strong abruptly closed the
hearing saying he had TO give time TO hearings on
bills which had passed the Legislature.
In the afternoon delegation Of the City Club
carried TO the Mayor copy Of the following rcso-
lutions which were passed by the ciuo on Wednes-
day evening
M T1 in the GB a S Of Of The G HuS
the property and franchises OF said corpora iohs'
Resolved That the City Club favors the immedi-
ale introduction and passage OF such LEGISLATION
Resolved That: upon the acquisition OF SAID prop
erty and franchises. the city should forthwith sell
under the provisions OF Section 90 Of the Railroad
law. at public auction. 20 the highes: bidder: me
right operate said railroads for a term not ex-
for a Term not exceeding twenty-five years. upon
A readiustment OF the rental.
Accompanying the resolutions was letter, signed
by Dr.. f. r. l. Gould. William Travers Jerome,
Frank j. Goodnov Horace r. Deming and Albert
Shaw a committee OF the City Club, containing a
review Of the subject and the following statements
We understand that the only obstacle in the way
OF me G nder the terms Of the very con-
tracts by which these corporations hold their fran
bonds for the purchase price We have no doubt
that request from you 10 the legislature would
Avlp ,hn .
spectfuly suggest that you. acting with the Cor
poraion Counsel have Prepared and promptly sent
thority YOU may need 10 enable you TO protect the
interests OF the city in respect to these important
in the past. as is well known. policy has been
niripal proht from increments in the value OF pub
lie franchises If the wiser and more far-seeing
only would the original investors have got back
their first outlay with handsome pGofft put n,d dne
year with which TO tighten the expenses Of govern
There is a strong popular feeling. which we be.
ieve 10 be well founded that the present situation
nue. Railroad franchises presents Unexpectedly and
auspiciously opportunity for you TO inauguratei
policy Of preserving for the :iiy those valuab.e
rights which It's growth has created ana It's exist
The Commissioner OF Public Works yesterday
made public the terms Of the permit for the change
Of motive power in Eighh-ave. II Is issued with
the provisions that the changes are TO be made
subject to the conditions of the railroads IRAN
chise that the railroad company shall do the work
without interfering with the sewer that the cleo
tricity shall not be allowed to leak 10 the water
and gas pipes in the avenue. and that the company
shall remove from the avenue all snow brushed OF
the railroad tracks.
Charles Henry Butler attorney for Henry j.
Braker. sent a letter TO Mayor Strong last nigh:
calling attention 70 Mr.. Brakers offer 10 purchase
the franchise of the Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avo-
nue Railroad companies. In an interview Mayor
Strong had been reported as saying THAI he had no
knowledge of Mr.. Braker's responsibility. Mr. But
Ter
There can be no question OF Mr.. Brakers financial
responsibility as he accompanied his offer with an
in the United States that il would furnish the bond
referred to in Mr.. Brakers letter
In his letter Mr. Butler also states that Mr.
Braker offers to pay 100000 more than the sum
ia be paid by the city a condition of accepting
the franchise and under that offer the city would
NOT he Obliged to do any fnancerins whatever. lie
also states that Mr.. Braker Is willing 10 indemnify
the civ AGAINST any liability which might be in
Cured in accepting the offer which he makes.
y { Potter applied TO Justice Beekman In the
Suurcrnc Court yesterday for an injunction re-
sfrainirg the Metropolitan Street Railway Com
nery from, acting on Commissioner Cols's permit
Ia introduce the underground trolley system on the
Eighth Avenue Railroad. The application alleged
that Commissioner Coils had exceeded his author
ity in granting the permit Justice Beekman agreed
10 hear argument the motion on Monday.
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