New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-05

NOT so DISCOURAGED NOW.
RAPID TRANSIT BOARDS HOPES FOR
THE UNDERGROUND ROAD.

TO ASK THE APPELLATE DIVISION FOR A MoDr-
F1CATION OF THE BOND sTIPULATION-BE-
LIEF THAT THE MAYOR MAY CHANGE
HIS VIEWS - POSITION OF THE
METROPOLITAN COMPANY.
The members OF the Board OF Rapid Transit
Commissioners had apparently recovered yester-
day from the disturbing effects which the first
knowledge of the Mayors expressed opposition
TO the underground plans had upon them. Sew
eral Of the Commissioners said yesterday that
they saw nothing in the Mayors message that
really imperillcd the plans. and they added that
the obstacles referred to by Mayor Van Wyck
would eventually be overcome. II was stated
yesterday by Alexander +. Orr. the president OF
the Board that the practical condemnation OF
the scheme by the Mayor would have no effect
upon the attitude Of the Commission. Accord
Ing to Mr.. Orr. the Contract Committee VIII In
few days lay before the Board the report OF Its
investigations as to the amount and nature Of
the securities that the syndicates which contem-
plate bidding for the contract can deposit The
Board proposes also to proceed with its applica-
ton TO the Appellate Division for modification
Of the bond stipulation Moreover. the Commis-
soners express the belief that when the Mayor
has studied the practicability Of the project and
thoroughly understands the enormous BENEFITS
the city would gain by the roads construction
he Will give his fullest appreciation TO the plans
WHERE IT'S FUTURE SEEMS TO REST.
But despite these encouraging expressions. the
Commissioners are known to be alive to the fact
that the Immediate future Of rapid transit ap-
parently rests with the Metropolitan Street Rail-
fht
ton decide that the scheme Is impract'cable.
that the ROAD cannot be built for the amount
estimated by the Commissioners and refuse con
seQucntly 10 undertake the construction OF the
railroad, further progress with the carrying out
Of the work will be delayed. probably for several
years II the Metropolitan people resolve to bid
II is not doubted for a moment that Tamnany
can be easily persuaded to recognize the advan-
tages of the new system. But II Is generally con-
ceded that II the company declines to interest
itself IN the underground line the new admins
tration will persist in its opposition. In that
case no Independent body OF capitalists or con-
tractors would be likely to accept the contract.
with the municipal authorities adverse 70 them'
the contractors would have many dfnculues 10
contend with. They would likely be continually
harassed, II was said yesterday, by refusais on
the part Of the city departments to grant per-
rnits for the opening OF streets and Tor other
nr,viIecos necessary for the excavation OF the
tunnel, The troubles which befel the Horizons,
of Philadelphia when they attempted to carry out
their contract TO build the Thrd-av cable road
under similar unfreudly conditions, are still
vividly remembered. But the Commissioners DO
not propose TO push forward with their plans
until they have the full cooperation OF the court
and city officials.
ENGINEERS HARD AT WORK.
The engineers OF the Metropolitan Street Rail-
wav Company are busiy eI gagged In EXAMINING
the plane for the tunnel and In drawing up
their own estimates OF the probable cost OF the
work. The results OF their labor VIII be made
known probably at the end OF the present week
The belief Is strong that the corporation VIII
agree 10 build the system. II is pointen out
that there are many reasons that may influence
II to obtain control OF the new road. In the
first place the officials Of the company are not
Hind 70 the effect which the competition OF addi-
t,onaI TRANSPORT facilities would have upon their
revenues but a still more potent reason ac-
cording to certain persons is that the Metro
po!itan people think in acquiring the tunhei
thev Will force the Manhattan company to sell
on. Russell Sage himself Is authority Tor the
statement that from time to time in the last
tiated for the purchase or the cohIroil'is i"'ei
est I'm the elevated road.
The Metropolitan company It was said by
railway man Yesterday. is aiming at a consolida-
ton of all tha railroad interests In this city, ana
I, &c believed that as a further factor to the at
ta,nrnent Of this end its directors will take the
tunnel contract when this decision is announced
q WAS added Tammany will drop its apparent
o,nosition 20 the scheme. Public opinion Is with
tho p,ans evolved by the Commission, and
mother Mayor Van Wyck nor Tammany. so peo-
nle saw will care to fy In the face OF the nearly
universal public favor In which the underground
project is held.
WITHOUT POWER TO COMPEL 1T.
rha Navor,e suggestion tha. the Municipal AS
sor,,b,,, ebould compel the improvement and ex-
tensi,o of the elevated roads. and that steam
shoul6 be replaced with electricity. cannot le-
eel,,, lie supported It was said yesterday 1t
was noirtec out in transportation circles that
mother the Municipal Assembly nor any other
denartment in the city government has the
mower TO compel the company to extend Its lines
~ the comIary refused TO make the improve
nents its property could not be confscated
Probably the Municipal Assembly could insist. 1t
was said. that the locomotives should he re-
moved. because they were nuisance. but II
could not require that electric motors take their
place.
The Rapid Transit Commissioners do not pay
regard TO the Mayors objection that
the city cannot meet the expense or the WORK
without exceeding the debt limit. one or their
rumbcr commenting yesterday ipon TINS phase
- tba situation said: Despite the Mayors
aoures the city is nowhere near ITS debt limit.
There must he an increase In valuation II
ipD IA
: ,,o,,e THE charter demands that all values !
t. .be new city shall be equallzed. This VIII .
,o-,pal an advance Of - per cent In assessed
,,olues In the old city Of New-York Such an |
increase will enable the new city under the old |
ratio TO issue between S2oO,oDOVo and |
c i0O coo 900 In bonds during the next ten years.
This is shown by a letter written by ex-Con-