New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-08
MUST TAKE ALL OK NONE.
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD APPROVES MAN
HAITIAN FRANCHISES.

THE COMPANY MUST DECIDE WITHIN THIRTY
DAYs-coNTRAc-r AND SPECIFICATIONS FOX
THE UNDERGROUND ROAD ALSO ACTED
UPoN-PLAN OF PROCEDURE.
Matters of much importance were decided at
Yesterdays meeting Of the Rapid transit Coh-
mission The certificates granting the seven
franchises to the Manhattan Railroad Company
were aproved and will be at once rendered 10 the
COMPANY while the contract and SPECIFICATIONS
relating to the construction OF the underground
road wore also approved. The presence OF
Charles Stewart Smith at the meeting. AFTER an
absence Of some months in Europe. made II pos
slblc TO take final action upon these matters
Neither the Mayor nor Controller Coler at
tended the meeting and had 1t not been for Mr.
Smiths return the progress OF the commissions
plans would have been once more impeded ny
the Adninistra tons representatives. on the
Board.
The tender Of the franchises for the seven pro-
posed extensions was unanimously decided upon.
The conditions and terms upon which THESE
franchises will be granted haze already peeh
described i'm detail in The Tribune The only
modification that has been made ls a stipula-
ton adopted by the Board yesterday that the
Manhattan Company must accept all or REJECT
all OF the franchises. The company Will not be
permitted to accept the valuable downtown ex-
tensions and refuse the northernward improve
ments upon the terms originally fixed by the
Board These terms were made attractive In the
hope that the company would be induced there
ly to build the whole OF the extensions. The
probability that the Manhattan directors would
agree to take the downtown franchises and re-
fuse the others was brought to the attention
Of the Commissioners, and yesterday they re-
solved that If the company wished 10 accept only
the choice franchises IL would have to pay CORE
spondnSly higher percentages to the city than at
first agreed upon. The Manhattan company
must make known to the Commission its willing
ness or non willingness TO build the extensions
upon the conditions imposed within thirty days.
When the consideration Of the detailed plans
and specifications Of the underground railroad
was taken up. George l.. Rives moved that the
detailed plans heretofore submitted be amended
by increasing the minimum height Of the tunnel
between The Grand Central Station and the CITY
Hall Park to fifteen feet in order that the road
II light be- Of such size that standard cars might
lie run through IT," After a long discussion the
resolution was defeated. Mr. Rves and John II.
Starin voted in favor OF the increased height.
and Alexander L. orr. John Clanin Charles
Stewart Smith and Woodbury. Langdon declared
against II. 1t was learned that Mr. Riyes was
iaduced 70 offer his resolution because Of sug
gestions made some weeks ago by delegation
OF residents above the Harlem that provision
be made for connecting the NewYork Central
with the underground railroad.
The detailed plans and specifications for the
construction of the road together with the con-
tract. were then unanimously adopted: Before
voting Mr.. Starin explained that while he would
SIDE with the members Of the Board in APPROX
the tunnel should be constructed Of such size
AZ 20 admit the passage OF the cars or the stand
ard size south Of Forty -second-st.. thus permit
ting the exchange ~ cars with other railroads.
and he expressed the belief that the future
would Justify his views.
The Commission viii not advertise for bids
for the construction u the tunnel until the con-
tracts have been submitted for approval. as re-
CURED by the act 10 Corporation Counsel
Whaen. Tho act. however, insists that the
contract shall be returned by the Corporation
Counsel within reasonable time. and the Com
missloners determined that their plans snail
rot hc further INSTRUCTED by any undue Giiatori-
ness on the part u Mt Whalen. Nor VIII they
allow tho debit limit question 20 stand In the way
~ n speedy award ~ the contract. II necessary.
they Will dispute IN the courts that the city has
exceeded rs constitutional debt capacity. but 70
make assurance doubly sure the contract has
been go drawn that the creation OF immediate
heavy financial obligation on the part Of the
city Is precudcd and the debt limit not en-
daugercl This will be arranged by issuing
bonds as tho road ~ built. that only part OF
tho d.ht Will bc incurred AT a time. Provision
has also been made - protect the city from
any obligation for work not completed Al the
same time. IL said. the terms Of the contract
are such n not 10 debar responsible persons
from bidding for the construction and operation
OF the road.
TIE Board decided 10 make requisltion upor
the Board = Estimate and Apportlonment for
tho sum Of S3ill5 10 to defray the expenses Of
the Commission. Some OF the principa! Items in
the statement prepared by Lewis l.. Deaiield.
the secretary. are fees OF Arthur u. Williams.
John Sabine Smith and George W. Young. the
special commissioners appointed by the Appel
late Division of the Supreme Court. TO report
upon the rapid transit plans. 5000, rent Or
offices for six months ending July ]. 1S''S.
81 OpD: salary Of the secretary FOR SIX months
ending June 80 1898 81 300 fees OF chief engi-
rcer for same Ieriod. 5000 and fees 81 counsel
for same period. $1,000 About $500 is also
asked for liabilities already incurred by the
counsel and chief engineer and for estimated
disbursements 10 June 80
The counsel presented 10 the Board the order
OF tho Appellate Division ~ the Supreme Court
which was entered on April Il conserving 10 the
construction and operation OF the Rapid Tran
sit Railroad