New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06
more surely protected and the National credit
more unassailable in every emergency.
HIGH TINE TO CHOOSE AND BEGIN.

HIGH TINE TO CHOOSE AM bEufN.
1t is gratifying to note that the first response
of intelligent citizens and of newspapers re-
fecting their views TO the new proposals or
the Rapid Transit Commission comes In the
form OF emphatic declarations that underground
roads are an imperative requirement OF COM
fort and prosperity in the boroughs or Man
haitian and The Bronx. and that by some means
the lrsistent demand must be met. 1t Is catu-
raj to feel some disappointment over Inc posi-
tive conclusion OF Mr. Orr and bis colleagues,
that the original scheme cannot possibly be
carried ont now or presumably at any time IN
the near future. and that consequently change
Of base necessitating new legislation must be
made But there is no real cause for dis
enlargement, inasmuch as the only change in
public sentiment is seen to be in the direction
of a more determined purpose to secure in one
way or another what the people declared In
1904 that they must have. and evidence in
creases that private capital was never before
so strongly attracted to the undertaking.
Further consideration of the Commissions
statement and the argument OF counsel
strengthen our impression that the most seri-
Gus obstacle to the plan for making the pro-
posed rapid ransit roads IN asset OF newborn
County and the debt incurred in building them
a county charge is likely to be found IN That
clause Of the Constitution which provides that
ANY debt hereafter incurred by any portion
cor part Of city. If there shall be any such
debt shall be included in ascerfanng the
power Of the city to become otherwise IN
''debted'' 1t Is somewhat positively asserted
that the Court Of Appeals has already removed
this seeming inrediment, but propably no one
doubts that the point must be explicitly deter
~ zfAn hot a
procress can be made along the line which the
Commission prefers. Assuming mat the plan
Of county construction is legally feasible lis
advocates can produce strong arguments in lis
sunnort. Indeed. Mr.. Orr has already done so,
laying special stress on the consideration mat
underground roads would be a possession of
great and increasing value to the county ana
that It's credit is all that the county would
have 10 give for them.
In connection With this 1t is proper 10 say
that nothing could he more disngenuous than
the nretence that the Commission proposes 10
double the burden OF taxation In the horonghs
Of Manhattan and The Bronx. The RAPID
Transit act provides that the contractors snail
nav the annual interest on the bonds and
sufficient sum in addition TO extinguish the
obligation within the period OF the lease, ana
this requirement would not be- modified by
substitution of the county for the municipality.
The people who constituted the former city OF
New-York who voted for municipal constrnc-
ton Of underground roads fonr years ago. and
70 whom the benefits resulting from the I'M
provcment would chiefly accrue, would not
have 10 pay an additional dollar In taxation on
account Of an issue Of county bonds for that
nurnose. Nor can II he reasonably assumed
that dangerous precedent would he esiaD-
lished In the first place, II Is confidently eX-
pectcd that the people will soon nave me
chance 10 remove that possibility by means
Of An amendment 70 the Constitution. and 1t
has 10 he considered furthermore that this Is
altogether an exceptional enterprise. and as
such was approved by an Overwhelming ma
FORTY az the election Of 1894 There Is. how
ever an opposing argument In the fact mat
the people then voted for plan which they
might have rejected If there had been any
other chance for rapid transit IN sight. and II
NAV he contended in good faith that they
would now prefer 10 sell the franchise outright
TO the Metropolitan Traction Company or some
other responsible bidder.
One thing is certain. namely. that this great
and rich community, knowing what II impera-
lively needs ought 10 agree upon the hcst way
Of getting It without delay, and by the force OF
public opinion compel a beginning OF practical
operations. New-York is slngularly lavish and
indeed disgracefully careless. In many matters
but when II comes 10 Indispensable improve
ments on a large scale il exhibits astonishing
timidity and hesitation. Other great centres
Of population. and many far smaller and less
opulent cities, are constantly putting us 10
shame IN this respect by engaging in extensive
operations and reaping the benefits thereon
while we talk and fret and do nothing