New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-05

ir that way. But for many reasons among
which Is the question OF the debt limit. the Cor
poraton Counsel has never approved the form
OF contract under which the Commission wished
TO advertise for bids. II was because we began
10 despair Of ever getting city money 10 build
the road that were pleased TO receive from
the Metropolitan company proposition to build
the road without city funds. The proposition
OF Mr.. Esler's company seems to be a very fair
che. 1t remains to bs whether or not he
represents the capital which he implies that he
does. ! am informed that IN a rough draft Of
the letter which he sent to the Commission yes
terday he had paragraph including the names
Of the men behind the enterprise. and that the
list contained the name OF W. ". Astor. Mr.
Esler is represented as having said that tn.
wealth Of one Of the men behind him was
greater than the combined wealth Of ali the
men who arc stockholders in the Metropolitan
company. This statement Of Mr. Esler together
with the sudden arrival Of Mr. Aston from Eu-
rope. might give color to the rumor that Mr.
Aston is interested in the proposal OF the Me
tropolis Contract Company. But notice in the
letter which was actually received by the Com
mission from Mr.. Esler that the name Of Mr.
Aston as hacker had been eliminated. would
be glad II men Of Mr.. Astor's known financial
standing did become interested in the efforts to
give rapid transit TO the city The situation in
general is that. whereas think the new agree
ment between the Manhattan and the Third
Avenue roads is a good thing for the public
and Will undoubtedly be a profitable thing for
both Of those companies, II Will not solve the
rapid transit question. and must still try to
build the underground road Underground
travel ia the rapid transit Of the future. In the
mean time let get all the increased facilities
we can"
CHARLES STEWART SMITHS VIEW
Charles Stewart Smith. while not willing 70
discuss the Metropotan's proposition when
seen by a Tribune reporter yesterdav said that
he favored the construction OF the tunnel nv
the city on the same plan the Boston sub
way was built That subway. he pointed out.
cost $50 600 less than II estimated 70 cost
But there is so much need for the under
ground road" Mr.. Smith said that II we can
not get II built by the city must turn to
I rvate capital In short. my proposition is this
Build It with city money II we can hut by pri-
vate capital II must We not committed
to anything. Our appeal to the Legislature Is
simply TO increase our powers. so that we may
construct the tunnel by private capital II We
are compelled To resort TO that means"
II was asserted Yesterday that the Manhattan
the Rapid Transit Commission for permission
70 extend the elevated structure. 1t was said
that Mr. Gould was willing now 70 pay the price
which he refused before to pay for the add-
tonal franchises No confirmation Of this pur-
pose could be obtained yesterday ut the offices
OF the company. Charles A. Gardiner the at
torney of the corporation. said he had not heard
Of anv intention Of the directors TO apply for
the right TO make the extensions. and gave II ne
his opinion that the report arose from the state
rent made by Mr. Gould that tho arrangement
with the Third Avenue company would mean
the extension Of the elevated ser--ice IN the
region north Of the Harlem and across town.
Moreover on Monday night Russell Sage In
formed a Tribune reporter that the new agree
.nent would make unnecessary any further de
velopment OF the elevated system Mr.. Orr also
said Yesterday that while the C omission
would listen 10 any application from the Man
haitian company. he did not think the city
wanted any more elevated structures along It's
streets.
/ Albert J Elias president OF the Third Avenue
company. expressed himself yesterday as being
we'll pleased with the new alliance Il think.
he said, that a practical solution Of the rapid
transit problem has been reached. The equip
mont OF the Manhattan system with electricity
I enable
miles an hour. and the transfer system will en-
able US 10 reach all sections. I would not be
surprised to see in a few years a continuous
service between Yonkcri and Coney Island"
ONLY BY A SUBWAY.
Albert B. Boardman. one Of the counsel to the
Commission, dictated the following statement;
The chief significance of the alliance Of the Man
/ haitian and the Third Avenue companies from m q
rapid transit point Of view Is that II indicates tnat
there is another Richmond in the neIa, ne 80" ke
| Solved nv any transfer system or by any or the
otner Hnnss moT 70 ne Unworthy OF serious con-
sideration II New York Is 10 grow IN any neaIlny
way new provision mus ss. " nam pa .sengers up
and down town during the commission hours al d e
combined This can only be done by the cohs''uo-
ton OF subway. , r,..,o. ,ha.
the Manhattan Elevated Railway Company Is
railroad" and not street rallroau coz
poration, and that It is legal for saVlhsso ~
TO invest their deposits In It's nonds II Ihe.E
have other and more far-reaching enects imam
the opening up Of new market for the sna a. -
OF the company. The elevated INES ~ 'iIH ~
cision will be brought under the operation OF
the law governing steam railroads, instead OF
that which controls street railways IN CITIES.
Fx-Judze Dillon. counsel for the Manhattan
COMPANY commenting yesterday upon the ~ u
/ cision said that II touched directly upon the
legal status OF the company. Inc AttoiheS
/ General" he added decides that savings banks
may invest their FUNDS IN the MdHhat'al' "0i 49,.
because il is a State. and not a street or CITY,
/ railway OF course. the city Of YORK mas
no more Jurisdiction over the Manhattan than
II has over the NewYork Central Inc rodu
u.ae orqanized under the general statute II
does not seem 10 be clearly understood Just "ha'
authority the city Board Of Health has over
the road It cannot make us put IN wooden OF
metallic mating on the floors OF the cars IoI
| instance The only way II can act is n declare
such or such a thing public nuisance IL IS
then question Of fact. II we refuse 10 opey
he %.
.ba Roard Of Health would have 70 take the
/ question before the courts 10 have IT Judiciary
/ determined whether or not II was nulsdIice
go abould he abatAd The Board order
ror,,n,.ad but n carnOt regulate tnt