New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-08
THE MAYOR WILL NOT SERVE.
ANOTHER SHOW OF ANTAGONIST TO
THE RAPID TRANSIT BOARD.
DECLINES EVEN THE CHANCE TO HELP CROKER's
FRIENDS IN THE MANHATTAN COMPANY,
WHEN IT REQUIRES AssoCATTNG


FRIENDS IN THE MANHATTAN COMPANY,
WHEN IT REQUIRES AssocIAT1NG
WITH THE COMMISSION.
Mayor Van WICK demonstrated once again yes
terday his intense antagonism to the Rapid Transit
Commissioners and all that they stand Tor Not
when the chance was offered him to serve
NJ. Cookers friends the directorate OF the
Manhattan Railroad Company. by giving them the
West-st franchise AT their own price, would he
consent TO have aught to do with the Commission.
Last Thursday the Board appointed committee
consisting OF Alexander +. Orr. Controller Coler
and Mayor Van Wyck. TO determine the rate OF
compensation which the Manhattan company
should pay for the West-st. franchise. To the
Tammany government a majority on this commit
given purpoeely in order that the admins
traton should decide just what percentage wouid
be sufficiently remunerative 10 the city TOT the new
line. The Commissioners have been charged with
Intentionally making the amount OF compensation
to be paid exorbtant but with a view 10 demon
strating that they were animated only 10y r. desire
10 serve the city's interest in SUGGESTING per
cent regeneration they practically iett me se, '
ment Of the amount In the hands or inc civic
authorities, between whom and MI Goulu tne
In the light Of recent happenings.
But the Mayor allows his dislike for the Com
anew al yesterday's meeting Of the Board Of Esti
mate and Apporiionment-to overrue any possible
Croker ne 10 benep Se company The
Mayors curt letter TO Mr.. orr READS as follows
June s. 1905
Hon Alexander r. Orr President Rapid Transit
Railroad Commission, No 2Jb Broadwhy new
Dear sir: The Mayor directs to acknowledge
the receipt OF letter OF the 18th inst, notifying
him OF his appointment one or n subcommittee
OF the Rapid Transit Railroad Commission. and 10
say that ne respectfully declines 10 act on such
committee. Very respectfully yours
ALFRED NJ DOWNEs. Secretary.
Explanations were not wanting for hts action on
the part OF the Mayors friends. BY some II was
urged that the Mayor looked upon the RAPID
Transit Commission really q state body. and
IN its affairs while others Insisted that the Mayor
in his appoint rnent on the committee sinister
design to compel him TO define his attitude toward
the Manhattan Railway Company. and that ne
between that corporation and the Rapid TRANSIT
Boa I'd
However that may be tho Mayor himself made
attempt 10 Justify this step lie gave no reason
OF any kind He simply refuses TO have anything
TO do with the Commission. The effect VIII be 10
throw back the negotiations to the stage where
they rested before the committee was appointed
it s certain that no further effort viii be MADE
by the Board To secure tho cooperation or Inc
Mayor in any OF their plans
At to-mOrrows meeting tho committee may be
reconstructed or II may he decided that IN" BOARD
may fix the rentals, after considering a detailed
statement which Controller Colcr Ia compiling.
showing the receipts and expenditures OF the
which each company pays 10 the administration
for Its privileges
The Executive Committee Of the Manhattan Rail
way Company met yester1ay.in the Office OF Pres!-
dent George J. Could who presided l. was stated
after the meeting that no business OF public in
terest had been transacted. and that no further
franchises bad been prepared FOR the consdeIh-
ton OF the Rapid Transi; commissioners