New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-22
A COCKER" IN 1T, PERHAPS.
STRANGE DISCLOSURE ABOUT ATTAIN
TIC-AVE. BILL.
ONE OF ITS ADVOCATES FORCED TO ADMIT
THAT IT WOULD MODIFY" THE
RAPID TRANSIT ACT.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

RAPID TRANSIT ACT.
fsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Albany Feb 1.-THE hearing to-day on Senator
Marshalls bill authorizing the Long Island Railroad
Company 10 tunnel under the East River and run
trains from Cortlardt-st. Manhattan. to Flatbush-
ave. Brooklyn. underground proved 20 be Of re-
markable interest and may throw considerable light
on the rapid-transit situation. The hearing was
given By the Senate Committee on Cities and a
large body OF Brookynites was present TO hear
what said.
Two members Of the Atlantic Avenue Improve
ment Commission. Eugene G Blackford and E +.
Linton. addressed the committee in behalf OF the
bin. bu; the most interesting part Of the hearing
came when Major z II. Hobbs was speaking IN
favor oft. He interrupted by Senator Grady
and asked II he thought It proper for the Long
Island Railroad Company TO have a perpetual fran
chise. Major Hobbs replied that he did In such
case this. where a twenty-five year franchise
would be Of no value. The railroad would have 70
risk 10000 This a vast sum 70 invest on
franchise whose existence would be only for twen-
ty-nve years.
The provision in the New-York City Charter
for a twen;y-dye-year limit TO franchises was
compromise" said Senator Grady. and Il is well
known that the Greater New-York Commission at
first thought they would not permit Of The grant
ing OF such franchises on any Limit. and hen put In
this twenty-hve-year clause Why should not the
c,y authorities build this tunnel for $4,000 and
lease the Use OF Il 10 the Long island icad?'
II would reply 20 that answered Major Hobbs,
that this enterprise VIII not interfere with the
principle Of twenty -hve-year franchises 20 be ap-
piled TO ali other kinds Of corporations"
Senator Raines remarked that II the charter %
New-York City were amended so 70 permit az
franchises Of longer duration. amendment TO the
Railroad law would be required. and Major Hobbs
eSreed with him
Then Senator CoTey became curious and learned
that Major Hobbs claims that the Long Island
Railroad owns the land on Atlantic-ave. in fee
from Flatbush-ave. eastward and also that the
railroad had leased for ninety-nne years the sur
face right OF the avenue from the Atlantic Ave-
nue. Street Railway Company. Senator Coftey then
said:
Is 4 not true that this land on Atlantic-ave re-
verts TO the Atlantic Avenue Street Railway Com
pany the moment you abandon it, You ask the
city to pay hal, the expense Of depressing your
tracks. ard yet YOU want 20 gain without cost 10
yourself the right also 70 operate street surface
railway. Il does not seem 20 ne that you are
making modes, request Why DO you not build
your underground road. but abandon all thought
Of building this surface street railway?
Major Hobbs replied that the Long Island com
pany controlled The right 70 build a street rail-
on the surface OF Atantc-ave. This right
was disputed by Senator Grady. and he also said
the city owned the land below the surface in At
!a-t!c-ave Senator Ford then asked a important
What effect" said he. will this act have on
the rapid-trausit situation In New-York2 VIII not
your act virtually repeal the Rapid Transit act?
I: seems 70 any corporation could build an
underground road under your bill IN New-York"
"Our act would modify the RAPID Transit act"
answered Major Hobbs.
Moreover" added Senator Ford. you propose to
give this underground railroad in New-York And
Brooklyn a perpetual character
That IS the provision now answered Major
Hobbs
Then Senator Elsberg Joined In the fray. 1T
seems 20 me" he said 70 Major Hobbs that YOU
aim 90 have a sunken railroad q street surface
railroad and an elevated railroad That Is a con-
siderable privilege 10 ask
Z F Linton. IN defence OF the bill said It would
save human lives which were frequently sacrificed
IN Atlantic-ave. Senator Grady interrupted him
with the remark
The point - that you want the city 20 eNpenc
so 81 a mile IN sinking those tracks and yet you
desire also the privilege OF having stree-ral"ay
franchise You want double franchise
The Long Island Railroad Company does not
wish 70 sink its tracks" declared Mr.. Linton
Let me give you a pointer Mr. Linton" said
Senator Grady and that is tha; the Long Island
Railroad has not been here opposing this BILL
The hearing ended ar this point