New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-26
ELEVATED DIRECTORS MEET
PRESIDENT GouLD's LETTER ENDORSED.

A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO NEGOTIATE WITH
THE RAPID TRANSIT CoMMlssIoN-LTTLE
HOPE OF ANY RESULT OF REAL BENE-
FIT TO A LoXG-suFFERING PUBLIC
rhe Board OF Directors Of the Manhattan E''s"'-
cd Railroad Company met yesterday at noon l"e
ras,,ng was private and lasted about an houi'
After the adjournment George J. Gould sal" '"v
meeting was entirely harmonious ana sa"si"N'o,'
He said further: Upon the motion OF MI S"e'' -"
letter which l. as president 81 the COMPANY ""-
dressed to the Rapid Transit Commission was n'
proved and the propositions it contained were ~
dorses special committee composed OF Marcel
ms Hartley T. NJ Galloway, NJ. sage ana my sen,
was appointed to negotiate with the commission
Replying 10 an Inquiry Mr.. Gould said 'h"' .''e
minnie adopted by the Commission was not dis
c,,e~el hv the directors. tor the reason that II
had NJ, been received and consequently could not
be officially considered. Personally he refused %
make any comment upon the minute pupisheo !"
the newspapers. until his colleagues had had an
opportunity 10 express their views upon II
O. p Morosini OF the directors SAID ai'e'
the nect!n, that the Manhattan company was
prepared 10 fulfil all that IL had promised or sug-
ges;ed In the matter Of improving and extending
the elevated s. stem. The report OF the speVl"'
committee when made public. would he hald'
sufficiently prove the companys sincerity The
directors he declared all in favor OF I'M
mediate DEVELOPMENT OF the railroad. and oii'cu.-
,ies which nigh. arise such. for instance as cross
Inc Broadway would not be allowed 10 interfere
with The activity with which the work OF extension
would Re pushed. All propositions shown 10 De
!mpracticable would be laid aside anu 'He Pi1O''-
cable ones proceeded with
Nhileit was understood that the question OF suoS'
tuting electricity Tor steam considered no deii-
mite information obtainabe either from MI
Gould or the other directors who were seen as they
lef, the meeting.
COMMISSIONERS NOT HOPEFUL.
Now that people interested IN the development OF
q practical scheme OF rapid transit nave mao uHe
10 read and study Mr.. Goud's etter ana 'he Ooiii-
mssioners' reply thereto they do not hesitate 10
express the opinion that real rapid transit Is no
nearer realization at the present moment IMAM Il
was FIVE or six years ago. Upon every side II Was
agreed Yesterday that the enargements OF the
elevated system proposed by Mr. Could cannot -
any appreciate degree meet the pressing oeHailuS
that exist FOR greater facilities. Despite Inc ID
vorable tone that permeates the resolutions ADOPTED
al the meeting If the Commissioners on MONDAY
the members OF that body do not disguise their
feelings that Mr.. Gou.ds plans Will 80 only niue
way in relieving the congestion that is seen almost
every moment Of the day upon the surface ana
elevated lines. From remarks made yesterday III
answer 20 inquiries. more than one OF the Commis-
siorers said enouyn TO make II apparent that IN
their opinion the additional lines would not make
travelling n the city any more convenient ior the
great bu Of the population. and that further uls-
fe1lrement Of the citys thoroughares ny the erec-
ton Of more elevated structures would be in'oier-
ahc While intending to give the deepest con-
sheraton 10 any suggested improvements coming
from the Manhattan people. and willing TO assist
the company so far their power extends. the
Commissioners convinced that no overhead ex-
tensions will prove an effectual substitute Tor an
underground system and that the tunnel project.
while proba bly, destined remain in allegiance DUR
ing the life Of the present administration Will
eventually he carried through on the lines planned
by the Commission
Members of the Rapid Transit Board who were
seen yesterday refused TO comment upon the alb
sence Of all reference by Mr.. Gould TO the ques-
ton Of compensation TO the city for franchises
which may he granted to the company. Hitherto
the Manhattan company has emphaticaly stipu-
lated that il should be requested TO pay COM
pensation upon any extension It may make. and has
sought TO be in Identified against suits for damages
brought by abutting property-owners In the opin-
ION OF many people definite understanding as 10
the position the company will take upon these
points should have been insisted upon by the Com
missioners before entering into negotiations 10
the details Of the proposals submitted by Mr. Gould
Attention was drawn yesterday TO the fact by
who discuss the latest phase of the situation
that the Improvements now put forward by Nh
Gould differ very little, comprehensivey speaking.
from those proposed several times before and that
the difficulties which prevented their being
carried into execution heretofore will come 10 the
surface again, with me result once more that the
ManndtdnS
merely in another block to the progress Of rapid
transit
directors OF the Manhattan railroad yesterday no
satisfactory replies could be obtained TO inquiries
to whether the compensation question had been
considered The silence OF the company In this re-
gard is generally viewed with some suspicion. for
Goulds plans Will come TO fruition
FEASIBILITY OF ONE PROPOSAL.
The feasibility OF carrying into effect OF
the proposed extensions OF the elevated system
a subject OF debate yesterday. The refer
ence was 10 the legality. under the provisions Of
the Rapid Transit act. OF constructing branch
OF the elevated roads connecting the West Side
lines with the cOmpany's terminal the City Hall.
ai1 49, 49, CO. rointed oi, nv the Rosr5 in ;.s
resolution the act specifically forbiis the
struction OF an elevated railroad over Broadway
states that no elevated railroad shall be built
'on" Broadway south OF Thirty third-st, but.
cordng to the Interpretation OF some people the act
does not prohibit the crossing OF Broadway by
Was Submitted to nm YESTERDAY said that the coun-
SCI Of me Board without going very exhaustively
the matter. I'D held that the statute clearly
intended that no elevated structure should be al
opinion said that If special legislation could De
would De ADVANTAGEOUS. because the public con,
venience would be net by connecting he East and
proposition OF the Manhattan company. ne said i;
could not be carried out as matters now stood. be
cause The COmmissio advised that Il had
power TO extend the privilege.
The Board on Monday authorized MI Orr 10 IN
Tte the company 20 submit promptly foTmal ap-
plica;ors COR It's extensions, and 10 state specfca
routes and within what time II will construct
such additional structures may be specified IN
The Communication emb0dying these suggestio
viii be sent. Mr orr said yesterday, to Mr. Gould
to-day
WOULDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM
Commenting generally upon the situation Mr.. Orr
said further There can De doubt II the