New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-25
RAPID TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES

The memorial OF the Rapid Transit Commits
sion which submitted to the Legislature
yesterday contains clear and Straightforward
account Of the doings of the present Board and
its predecessors, and OF the position in which
the undertaking rests, leading up to a
statement OF three possible courses In respect
TO which legislative action will soon be invoked
II Is worthy OF note that tAe name of Con
troller Coler, who is ex-officio a member of the
Commission, but who until lately has evinced
no interest IN Its proceedings, Is signed to the
memorial. though it Is expressly stated that his
signature does not commit him 10 the scheme
Of issuing New-York County bonds for the con-
struction of underground rapd-transit roads
which should remain an asset Of the county
On this account II is convenient to consider that
proposal first, especially as the Commission. ex
Guiding the Mayor and the Controller. has here
tofore recommended II.
The Commission, as the memorial says, is
advised that legislation authorizing such an
Issue OF county bonds would not be unconstitu-
tional. but 1t Is also a fact that It's cOnstitu-
tionality is open TO question and would have to
be determined by the Court Of Appeals More.
over, the municipal administration. which has
three years more Of lfe is strenuOusly opposed
10 the scheme and would interpoSe great, II
not insuperabe. obstacles. Whether justified
or not It's hostility is practical objection which
cannot wisely be ignored. and it has seemed TO
us from the first that for both these reasons
doubtful validity and municipal opposltlon-the
plan which the Commission has preferred was
unlikely 10 win legislative or popular approval.
But IL deserves to be thoroughly discussed here
and at Albany, and its advocates may succeed
in making out stronger case than we antici-
pate.
Two other alte: natives are suggested In the
memorial. one OF them being the original plan
OF municipal construction and ownership which
the people approved by n vote Of more than
three N one in 1894, and which the Commits
sion has been endeavorng 10 carry out
since The virtual exhaustion Of the clty's
borrowing power has prevented progress on
this line for q year. bu, hope Is now ex-
pressed that the margin created by the great
Increase in valuations, together with the reve
nues from the sinking fund. will take care OF
all Indispensable improvements Of different
nature and still permit rapdtraDsit roads TO
be built without serious delay. in sections cost
ing 100000 each. on municipal account. The
implication is that the Controller Is not opposed
10 this proposition. which has the great merit
OF retaining for the city the ownership Of prop
er,y OF enormous prospective value md which,
moreover. stands on the basis Of public consent
already granted by an overwhelming majority.
II has 10 be considered. however. that the sit
uation has changed and that a test which was
decisive at time when there appeared TO be
no other way Of meeting an imperative require
ment does not as perfectly apply to-day. when
private capital may be ready TO embark in the
enterprise.
And this brings US to the third plan. that OF