New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-07
rapid TRANSIT FACTS AND fANcIhS'

p.p,n TpsySIT FACTS AND FANCIES
There is now said TO be "a string 10 i"''
manv's apparent consent TO the consul '''o"
underground rapid transit roads the coi''''0"
of its approval being that 4 laihinaHH '""'"
for shall get the contract ms ana "'''''
morris seem 10 indicate somewhat pIe''''"'
misunderstanding of the nature OF the pioPo'V'
ontcrprsc as defined and prescribed ny '"e
Rapid Transit act. and it may be worm WIN
therefore. 70 set down a few Of the fundameh'ai
conditions under which the Commission Is mop
ing to proceed - %
Nv direction of the Legislature as many Vi
tho voters of New-York City as chose 10 40 ~
80, hollo+e o+ rho election Of 1894 for munich
nal construction of rapid transit roao 81
.oooinet municipal construction Of rapid transit
road" 4 majority OF the votes on Inc propose
iona majority of moro than three To one, d.
e. happened-werc in The Affirmative All" il
thereupon became the duty Of the commission
10 proceed 10 carry out the popular de'lSlon ~
selling the franchise 10 construct malu'aW an"
onerate such rapid transit road or roads V"lnE
- Ieqal municipal and other obstacles the iran
chise has not been sold. hut the present prospect
Is that ii can he sold before Iohg
The principal thing that the city mas con
sento1 70 give IS its credit II can borrow money
at lower rate than an individual or private
cornorat alton which IS the chief advantage 10 W.
Gained bv an individual or corporation enter
ing into the proposed arrangement. Ihe CITY
cives no money. The purchaser or me iran
cbiso &c to nav the interest on the bonds Ssuen
nv tho CITY and a sufficient additional amount
annually 70 constitute sinking fund for the re-
don,ntion of the bonds at their maturity. bolhg
all rho time under satisfactory bond for me
dna performance Of his obligations The pur
chaser Of the franchise is to do the work OF CON
strnction under supervision of the commission
# ne chooses TO make sub-conractS with ram
MANY contractors he is at liberty to do so. He
nrohoblv would take that course 20 greater or
l. $ extent but he could not he force" 10 '"N' j"
evcont nv n process Of virtual backmaiI.
rho r,Irohnser Of the franchise viii acquire
tho right TO construct maintain and for term
agreed upon operate the road or roadS' "ni'n
viii "hc and remain tho absolute property OF
the city so constructing them Uha' ~ proN'u
tho means for their constructon and "be ana
"he deemed to hc a part of the puhllc S're'N
and highways of said city, 10 be used ana ~"
loved nv the public upon the payment "i such
fares and tolls and subject TO SUCH reaSoiani'
"r,les and regulations as may be imposed ana
"nrovidod for by the Board Of Rapid lrauNl'
"Railroad commissioners in said city
Section 10 Of the Rapid Transit act provides
that all such contracts as are required Tor me
execution of the work intrusted TO the Commis-
sion must before execution, he approved as L"
"form hv the Counsel 10 the Corporation or
"othor chief legal adviser for said city ms -
rho urovison of the act which has enabled MI.
Uholon 70 hold the form of contract for nearly
,oor and half. though he could probably
have heen compelled to perform his simple MN
istorial duty by judicial process. II that course
had appeared advisable. The municipal govern
ment has no other legal control OF the a1ar'
md after Mr. Whalon has approved the form
~ contract must invent some Illicit means of
thvartjng the Commission If II is resolved 10
maintain it's past policy. II may be natural 10
assume that such is It's purpose but the imin'-
.uoto Indications do not support that asSump-
tion.
If Tammany can arrange 10 get on comforta-
il. with tho purchaser of the franchise II may
he willing 70 abandon its hostility 10 the enter
,riso and for the sake Of facilitating his work
rho purchaser NAV he glad to deal with ram
many contractors. But it is quite unnecessary
~ conclude that the city would be plundercd ny
snch an Arrangement. The more the jon COST
/ tho larger the amount the purchaser would nave
f. nay as interest on the bonds and into the
sinking fund for their ultimate redemption lie
and NOT the city would be the loser III conse
ononco OF any needless expenditure. and sell
ir+orest would compel him 10 he prudent and
!