New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-16
TNESED FRANCHISES.

The demand Of the people In the Borough OF
The Bronx that the Manhattan Railroad Com
pany either carry out It's agreements and build
lines for which II holds franchises or else sur
render those franchises is one which will awaken
general sympathy and approval. We are grad
ually coming 10 a realization OF the fact that
franchise carries with 1t obligations as well as
rights 1t IS not granted merely 10 be held on
speculation. but to be improved for the public
benefit. If II must lie idle for many years be-
fore being nut to use. It is better that the gov
eminent should retain possession and dispose OF
IL TO the best advantage at the time OF improve
ment. II might be worth more then and posi-
bly, public welfare would be promoted by grant
ing il 10 some other person than the Spectator
who at first stood ready TO file blanket claims on
street rights with the idea that they would have
ultimate value.
Most franchises are granted on express condi-
ton that service under them will be in opera
ton within specified time. but it Is easy for
corporation 10 devise expedients for extending
the limit They cannot acquire necessary per
mits. or they are held up in court, and If neces-
sary suit can be started by an apparent enemy
and real friend restraining construction. ana
with the permission of the defendant il can he
nursed along indefinitely, while the people who
expected a railroad line within a reasonable
time are left TO get on as best they can. Their
streets have been granted away, nobody else can
give them travelling facilities. so they can be
neglected with impunity till such time as pleases
the franchise holder Even such power as exists
for forcing corporations TO obey the provisions
OF their franchises Is not often made use Of by
our officials They do not follow up offenders
with any zeal to make them carry out their con-
tracts They grant miles on miles OF streets
under conditions that look fair on their face, and
then by neglect give the holders all sorts Of op-
portunity TO claim exemption from what they
originally agreed to do The result Is unim-
proved franchises, vast arrears Of taxes and
franchise rents and paving charges, which are
unpaid largely because city officials by careless
ness give corporations chance TO outwit them.
II is too often left 10 taxpayers 10 take proceed
ings like the present ones 10 compel the fran
chse holders TO fulfil their obligations, and In
many instances the legal loophoes are such
that the citizens get nothing for their pains
We hope this will not be the experience Of
those who are pushing this case. There can be
no doubt that the people beyond the Harlem
have been put TO serious inconvenience by the
SPECTATORS who have grabbed nearly all their
street rights and hold them idle. The district Is
magnlfcently mortgaged, and the policy OF the
mortgages seems TO be 10 leave the people
alone until they shall have made improvements
worth their while to seize. II the State Railroad
Commission has authority 10 secure for the resi-
dents in The Bronx borough the service rightly
appertanng TO the franchises granted In their
neignbnrhOod II should exercise that power 10
its utmost limit