New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-13
THE RAPID TRANSIT SITUATION.
MR. ORR SAYS THE CITY CAN NOW con-
STRUCT THE TUNNEL-EFFECT OF
THE MARSHALL LAW

City officials yesterday seemed TO be disncined
TO venture any opinions as TO the effect OF the
Mayors veto of the Rapid Transit BILL or as to the
effect Of the Marshall bill, which has become a law.
The Marshall law gives to the Municipal Assembly
the right to grant tunnel franchise for term OF
fifty years with the option Of renewal for twenty
five wears after a revauaton. While the object Of
the bill was to enable the granting OF franchise
for the building and operation OF tunnei uhoer
the East River Mayor Van Wyck has become I'M
bued with the idea that the bill will enable private
capital to build underground rapid transit ROAD
In the city without interference oy the hapiu
Transit Commission.
Controller Coer said yesterday that he could not
foil what the effect Of the Marshall bill would be
on rapid transit plans He said the city could not
go ahead and build rapid transit road until the
amendment to the Constitution was carried, taking
out the debts OF the counties embraced in the
greater city from the regular city debt
Members of the Rapid Transit Commission were
not inclined to think much harm had been done by
tho Mavor's veto of the Rapid Transit bill. Alex
ander E. Orr said
81 do not much regret the Mayors veto OF the
Ford amendments, and do not think they would
have benefited the city. and ! do not believe that
private capital could have been enlisted for the
construction Of the tunnel under limited iran
chise I regret the veto OF the Commission ameho-
ments to provide for the construction or the tuh-
mel in sections so that the whole debt shouio not
be charged up against the city AZ one Time Inc
MAYORS veto leaves the situation as II was some
months ago. The city can now go aheao IL IL
wants TO- and construct the tunnel itself Perhaps
under the Marshall BILL the Municipal Assembly is
empowered to authorize its construction by p'iva'e
capital I am glad. for the sake OF BrooKiyh tna'
the bill was passed and signed That city can now
have its tunnel across the river.
Taw,s T. Delaheld who Is acting as secretary OF
the RAND Transit Commission until his successor sG
can he found said yesterday Of the MarshaI OH:
"This hill il an act TO amend the section OF the
civ charter providing that no franchise sha.i oe
granted bv the Municipal Assembly FOR period
longer than twenty-five years. Inc ameno t
authorizes the Assembly 10 grant hfty,year iran ran
chses to construct tunnel wholly under me CITY a
streets with a privilege of renewal on reVaiuetIoi
for tvrenty-hye years: but the amendment does hot
10 how or by whom the revaluation snal De
made nor does IL provide for any compensation 10
the cornoration at the time when the irahcnlse
shall LAPSE Under the provisions or the Din tnlnk
il viii; be feasible to construct short tunnels. out
do not think II will be possible 10 enlist private
capital in large amounts. and think that tne con
sIrrction OF long tunnels IL Impossible. especially
in view of the bills failure to provide compensa,,
ton I think that the bill was offered and passed
in perfectly good faith to accomplish wortny
obiect-the construction or tunnei unoer the East
River. | am glad II passed