New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-16

6rfr -
HOPE FOR GENUINE RAPID TRANSIT
is GETTING BRIGHTER.
A,hanv March Is (SpeciaD.-It was admitted
,,-aav nv one OF the Plat Senators that the
Nil introduced last night By Senator Ellsworth
uniting out Of Office the present Rapid Transit
commission Of New York City, was drawn with
cha object Of giving Tammany Hall control OF
rapyd-.ransit affairs in the metropolis. The
Senator did not make the acknowledgment In
c,,te so direct a manner. but in substance his
statement was Of that nature.
"The bill is introduced" he said, because II Is
racessarv to give NewYork rapid transit, and
40 progrcss can be made in that direction so
ling as the city authorities are dissatisfied with
the present Rapid Transit Commission
The proposition 10 surrender the Rapid Tran
sit Commission TO Tammany Hall for the pur-
nose Of advancing rapid transit amuses many
members OF the Legislature. They all remem-
her The tips" given out at Lakewood to buy
Manhattan and Metropolitan Traction stock
and also Mayor Van Wyck's message. assailing
the Rapid Transit Commissions plans.
q,AMMANY FOREVER BARRED.
II ,s reasonable TO suppose that one Of the
reasons why Mayor Van Wyck and the Tam
MANY Hall leaders oppose the present Rapid
rronsi, Commission is that no hope is held out
Of the Croker machine or the Plat machine
controlling the commission The commission.
according TO the terms of the Rapid Transit act
Of 1891 is self perpetuating. The law says;
vacancies which may take place In the once
so held by the persons specifically named herein
&c such commissioners shall be filled by major
wv vote Of the remaining members Of said
hoard" with almost every other office in New
York within their grasp, Il is no wonder that the
TaInYnany n1agnates have ragged over the
thought hat the Rapid Transit Commission was
10 be forever GU; Of their power.
Moreover. the present Commission was max
ing progress in its efforts 70 give New-York
successful underground system OF rapid transit.
The recent decision OF the Appellate Division of
the Supreme Court reducing the amount OF the
bonds 10 be given by The contractors for the I'M
darcround work had been most encouraging.
The hindrances TO capital engaged in the great
enterprise were apparently being removed. 1t
was just as the prospect for rapid transit was
getting bright once more that the Ellsworth bill
was introduced.
BENJAMIN F. Tracy, whose partner. Albert b.
Boardman, is counsel OF the Rapid Transit Com
mission was here to-day and had long talk
with Senator Ellsworth. Charles w Hackett
chairman of the Republican State Committee
was also at the capital busy with matters Of
legislation.
TAMMANY's COY CONSENT.
ThornAs~J. Dreamer. who represents the city
administration at Albany as Assistant Corpora
ton rcoufiseL said this afternoon that he did
not think Tammany Hall would oppose the Ellis
worth bill Opposition would be the last OF
Mayor yam Wyck's thoughts. Under the bill
he can 'afyjSint two strong Tammany men as
Rapid Transit Commissioners and two alleged
Republicans and thus can gain complete control
OF the Commission.
Comment is made here by some Senators and
Assembymen the attempt to apply the BIZ
partisan idea 10 the Rapid Transit Commission.
II is pointed out that while there may be some
excuse for il when ii is applied TO the Pohce
Board, there is such reason in the RAPID
Transit Commission. The New-York CITY char-
ter was not framed on any such principle for
other is made supreme in almost every Depart
ment Of the city government
WHAT DOES THIS MEANT
Senator Wray. of Brooklyn introduced two
bills to-day which excite interest. inasmuch as
they seem 10 bear upon the rapid transit situa-
ton. Ostcnsibly they perpetuate certain rights
Of the Long Island Railroad Company. but they
apparently also eive right to buiid under-
Ncy,-York City charter has the following para
graph added TO IL by one Of Senator Wray's
bills:
Nothing IN ms heCt.On epaH oPPis ~
consents granted 10 tunnel railroad corporations,
and the Municipal Assembly is hereby authorized
IN IT'S discretion 10 grant, W1tfout any nHltaoh as
10 period OF enjoyment, consent 10 any IahTodo
COZ poration any Of the streets and highways
I'm the citv OF New-York for the construction and
operation OF tunnel railroad underneath the sur
face thereof but all ordinances granting any such
consent shall provide for the supervision Of the
work by ,hc proper city offcials, and may contain
such other suitable provisions for the protecton OF
the city as the Municipal Assembly may deem
.Nope.
In a companion bill Senator Wray PROVIDES
that the public authorities hereinbefore re-
ferred 10 Of any town, village or city In which
such tunnel is to be constructed, are hereby
vested with the authority to grant consent 20
euch use without any limitation except as mere
ed