New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-20
STILL NO DECISION
CORRESPONDENCE ON THE ELEVATED
ROAD FRANCHISES Not ENDED.
TIE RAPID TRANSIT BOAED CONSIDERS MR.
GouLDs REPLY TO Mr. OEEs QUESTIONS
AND CALLS FOR MORE SPECIFIC

Despite tho numerous communications which nave
passed between the Rapid Transit Commission and
the Manhattan Railway Company recently relat-
Ing to the franchises for the extension Of the ele
waited system. the prospect of obtaining the addi-
floral travelling facilities is apparently almost as
far off II is needless to recount the nego-
tlations between the two bodies since the formal
Offer OF the franchises to the Manhattan
company. Briefly Mr. Gould rejected the Amster-
cam-ayc route. but announced his willingness 10
consider the other six If the compensation de-
handed reduced from 8 per cent TO onehalf
Of per cent OF the gross receipts and II 'other
necessary notifications were made in the terms
upon which the franchises 20 be issued. AS
no really specific propositions were contained In
Mr.. Goulds letter. the Commission asked for def
mite details n to what the company really wanted
and was prepared to carry out. To that request
Mr.. Could replied on "Wednesday. and yesterday
his communication considered by the Commits
soners
After the meeting the members announced that
they were sfill uncertain as TO the Intentions Of
the Manhattan directors. They contend they are
stin without the detailed information they sought
TO obtain. and Mr. Gould and hts colleagues will
again be requested TO rupply this before definite
action cnn be taken.
WHAT HE Is WILLING TO DO
Mr. Gould. however. made II clear In his letter.
which made public ut vest erday's meeting.
that his company Will construct the Wost-st. line.
from Battery Pace to Gansevoort or Horato 81.
and thence to sixth-ave.: the crosstown line from
the city Han 10 Cdnai-st. and thence to West-st.
and the fremont and Bedford Park extension. pro
vding the compensation to be paid for the fran
chises to the city can be satisfactorily arranged
between US" These extensions Mr.. Gould agrees
TO complete in the time named by the Commission.
and asserts his readiness also 70 build the neces
sary additional tracks and facilities for express
services on the Third and Ninth ave. lines. But
he stipulates he shall have Ave years 10 out
this work. instead OF the years apportioned by
~" Commission.
Upon the question to what the other
notifications" Mr.. Gould makes no attempt TO on
Tighten the Board. He casually ailudes to them
Of secondary importance relating mainly to
matters OF legal and engineering detail which may
he considered later. Tho Commissioners arc not
satisfied 10 acquesce with Mr.. Could IN this
gestion. and intimate that no franchises Will be
granted until every detail OF the com3anys propo-
sitons IS laid before them. In order that they
may have the requisite knowledge OF the companys
plans Mr.. Gould has now been asked 10 Insert In
sequence In the OF the franchises the modin-
cations which his company desires
II the president OF the Manhattan Railway Com
pany spends this demand. there seems a
sonebie prospect Of something practical being ac-
complished. especially the Commission has pat
itself on record being disposed MAKE conces-
s'ons in the rentals But. has been remarked
more than once Of late there would DE more like
Mhood Of speedler progress II tho Commissioners
and directors conferred together. instead OF con
Quoting their negotiations by written communica-
tons
With tho exception OF the Mayor and John II
starln. who Is IN Europe. all the members Of IN"
Commission were IN Attendance at yesterdays
meeting Controller Cocr present. bu, he re
rnained only a shor, while.
MR. OKRs LETTER
).
following letter to the meeting. which he wrote on
May Il to Mr. Could. asking Tor details Of TIE
notifications wished for - the Manhattan d.
rectors:
Upon the submission yesterday afternoon OF your
Board Of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners
they were Of the opinion that a nral decision Of
tho questions between ~ cosd beat DO reached u
which your company viii accept the proposed fran
chises. ouch OF them your company il willing
send me. r. possible, by Tuesday next or at least
by wednesday. the texts % the seven franchises
already sent your company. with the mod nca,ious
which your company dcsiics whether 80 90 routes.
compensation lime Of construction or otherwise.
exactly Indicated b. Insertions OF omissions. Tho
BOARD VIII thcn clearly understand the pr"ci'"
Iany wi, accept and {, eill then at IT, meeting on
Thursday. prepare its answer 10 your letter.
MIR. GOULD'S REPLY.
Then Mr. orr presented Mr.. Gouds reply which
read = follows:
Ncw-fork. May u, 1895
The Hon. Alexander J.. orr.
Dear Sir: l am authorized by the. Manhattan
Railway Company 10 transmit the following reply
e. your letters OF May 10 and l3 IN" various con
nections. extensions and additional tracks and IA
c!lites applied for by this company present con
ncct,d and comprehensive system designed 10 fur
nish rapid transit 70 AL paris ~ Manhattan and
The nronN We have always considered the Boule-
ward route an essential feature or these improve
ments our original Application was FOR an elc-
your wishes we abandoned that plan and suggested
instead n road under the bouieydtd. to DE con-
structed practically In accordance with your own
designs.
Yon now inquire n this company WIN accent any
OF ne franchises applied ior wlthout the grant OF
the franchise 10 construct railroad on the Houl.-
ward" The only Inference to be drawn from this
that you will not grant this company boulevard
franchise even for an underground railway. | re-
ssreud,c,aI 10 The pubic intcresis IT, however. M
The present time and under existing circumstances
plan Of Improvement and wiihholding the fran
chisc therefor. will. nevertheless. agree to the
suggest that the compensation be paid ,for the
franchises) TO the city can be satisfactorily
First This company VII construct the west-s,
line. battery Place TO Gansevoort or Horntio-st.
thence to Sixth-avc.. and complete II within the
period you have named. to VT. three yenrs
ST. and complete IT within two years.
Third This company VII Go MS the additional
and complete them within five. years
wonld traverse a comparatively undevelopcd region
which would be- greatly benefited by the consiruc-
non % tho road II granted the frnnchisc this
company viii al once proceed to acquire tho rieat
Of nny and # not thwarted by the abutting own
crs win compete IN" lnc within the period you
ha We named to wit. two years.
T'nnvoida bic legal delays. caused by acquiring
rights OF way or otherwise, stated In our appli-
Gallon are 10 be excepted from tho time limits
above stated.
/ have thus given categorical answers in writ
ing" as you request, to your inquiries concerning
the routes rentals and periods Of construction.
These are the Only matters II primary and vital
importnncc I'm the application The "other modi-
cations you refer TO are secondary. ma 1t seems
iIscl.as TO consider tacm until the main PROPOSE
tons are determined. They are matters OF legal
and engineering detail and may properly be left TO
The subscoucnt adjustment OF our respective coun-
sel and engineers. Very truly yours,
GEORGE J. GOULD
President Manhattan Railway Company
DECISION OF THE COMMISSION
For nearly two hours the Commissioners consid-
- ,ln loiinr md finally adnnied ihn folln,uInn