New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-18
THE ELEVATED EXTENSIONS
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD GRANTS Mool
OF THE CONCESSIONS ASKED.


PETITION To THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE
RIGHT TO CROSS PRoADwAY-A LOOP
AT THE BATTERY. But no ROAD
IN THE Boi'LEvARD-UNpER-
GROUND PLAN TO re
PROSECUTED
When the Manhattan Railway Company In
January last applied to the Rapid Transit COM
mission for leave to extend it's system in various
directions. a committee appointed to con-
slider the company's proposals, and to suggest
alternative plans where conditions made such
alterations desirable. That committee made
public its report yesterday afternoon. The re-
sult OF It's deliberations has been anxiously
awaited for a month The cause Of the delay.
the committee points out, is due not to any
want Of energy on Its Part. but solely To the lax
preparation Of the MGnhattan's application and
proposals
COMPREHENSIVE. the committee recommends
that the company receive in substance almost
everything il applied for Numerous modhca-
tons however, are made, especially IN the mat
ter of the time in which the extensions and i'm
prOvenents to be completed The time con-
di,ions desired by Mr.. Gould and his associates
we're so elastic, and so many contingencies weEe
provided as legal excuses for possible delay.
that had their propositions in this direction been
accepted there would have been practically no
limit to the period when the obligations attach
ing 10 the concessions had to be carried out But
as was pointed out in The Tribune when the
committee was appointed. the Commission Is
determined that this time there shall be no repe-
tition OF the dilly-dallying methods which have
heretofore characterized the dealings of the ele-
waited company with the Rapid Transit Board
SEVEN SEPARATE CONCESSIONS.
The Commission is willing to give seven sep
aratc concessions to the company to extend and
improve its services; hut at the same time a
positive and defined limitation Of period is
drawn for the completion Of the extensions.
Heavy penalties arc provided in case the work
is not finished in the prescribed time.
Another pertinent item which the company
has hitherto consistently neglected 10 consider
that Of the amount Of rental it is willing to pay
for the extensions has been settled by the Com
mission. Rentals varying from two 10 five per
cent a yea" of the increased earnings that will
likely accrue to the different branches of the
system in consequence Of the improvements
have been fixed.
AS was expected. the Commission refuses 10
allow overhead tracks 10 dcfaCe the Boulevard,
and declines also 10 allow the company to con-
struct tunnel under the thoroushfare for the
reason that it would interfere with the under
ground plans decided upon by the Commission
route along Amsterdam-ave IS suggested as
a substitute. The Rapid Transit Commissioners.
however show their desire 10 meet the wishes
Of the Manhattan directors by consenting 10
allow an elevated structure 10 he carried along
Centre and Canal SITS. across Broadway, from
the city Hall station. with a diversion OF the
route at Watt-st. to the West Side lnes AL
though the Board gives assurance Of legal
right To construct this line. the members state
their willingness 10 join with the company in
an application to the Legislature to amend the
statute so as to put the right beyond question.
The convenience Of the company has also been
considered in the matter of the concessions
themselves. At one time the committee of
the opinion that permission to make one ex-
tension should be dependent upon the agree
ment of the company TO carry out all Of the
plans laid down. Now. however. 1t has been
decided that seven separate concessions should
be granted. and the option is given to the. COM
pany to take or reject what il peases. But
once having accepted one or more of the
cessions. it is specifically laid down that the
company must carry out the extension to which
the concession applies suit will he entered
against the directors for breach Of contract by
the Rapid Transit Commissioners in the name
of the city.
THINK THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
The opinion was held yesterday by many peo-
Pile interested in rapid transit. who obtained
knowledge Of the provisions of the committees
report. that the Manhattan company would re-
fuse the concessions in face of the strict con-
ditions upon which they are 10 be granted.
These conditions, a matter Of fact. were made
known 10 the directors Of the Manhattan COM
pany Tuesday. They were asked for their
views regarding them, and whether they would
be acceptable or not The company's repre-
sentatves evaded answer. They were unable,
they declared TO say whether It was within their
financial ability To carry out the plans They
wished TO pre- Pre- estimates Of cost. 10 have the
details elaborated 10 determine what rental
they could pay. and. finally with characteristic
procrastination. they asked for still further
time for investigation and consideration" The
committee. however. fatty refused to be a party
to more vexatious delays.
In our opinion the committee asserted. mo
useful purpose will he served by further delay
on the part Of this committee or of the Board.
The problem presses for solution. and the facts
are perfectly well known. ihey nave peeh ior
years under the minute consideration both Of
this Board and Of the Manhattan company. The
Board has long desired from the Manhattan
company an application which would enable the
Board t. act. When finally the Manhattan COM
pany, on January Fl last seven weeks ago.
submitted such an application, we fell bound 10
assume that they had carefully considered their
own ability to d. the things which they asked
leave to DO, and all other elements Of the prob
lem. Moreover every day IL adding to the diff
hcul,ios of the situation. So long as the Man
haitian application is pending the considera ton
Of other plans looking TO a solution 81 the rapid
transit problem is necessarily deferred. The
preparation Of the certificates with their neces-
sarv detail Will occupy Il little time. And dur