New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-29
RAPID TRANSIT CONSIDERATIONS.

Referring to the new rapid-transit situation
Yesterday we said that we believed the people
were more than reconcled TO the general idea
Of Netropoltan construction and operation or
underground roads That belief Is supported
by many private expressions approving 'he
main proposition Of the Metropolitan managers
and by the prevailing sentiment OF the news
paper press but At least one OF the conditions
prescribed is open TO serious question. ana we
are glad TO observe that il has attracted M
mediate attention. The terms OF the company 5
offer contain this provision
The new company TO he entitled to use the
side galleries and other spaces in the tunnel not
necessary for railroad purposes for any wires
tubes or conductors authorized by law pelone
ing either to itself or others and TO receive 20
its own use any rentals which may be derived
therefrOm.
Now il is evident that this provision rs II
stands contains enormous possibilities, ana II
is safe 10 assume that the shrewd men N con-
troll of the Metropolitan company are not IN
the slightest need Of being instructed as 20 lis
meaning. They are we'll aware that It's ac-
ceptance would enable them 10 place IN their
tunnels or on their own terms permit offers
TO place there conduits for the transmission OF
heat light and power in all the forms when ale
now employed or which the future Is likely 10
develop in a word. that it would give them a
virtual monopoly OF many OF the chief 'equre-
ments of a highly organized civilization. 1Pat
is an immense privilege 10 ask, but the oppor-
tunity was so obvious that men OF FAR less sa-
gacty than Mr. Whitney and his colleagues
could not have failed TO see II. The provision
relating TO these subsidiary uses OF the SUD-
WAYS is nevertheless, inconsistent with the
general character of the cOmpaDys proposition
in one respect. namely, that il makes no men
ton Of recOmpense TO the city therefor III
general the companys terms are as liberal as
there was any reason 10 expect. or course
they are far less favorable to the public than
n corporation doing a similar business i'll al
most any European city would be required TO
make: but conditions in New-YOlk are pecu-
lar. and that fact has TO be taken into prac-
teal account when enterprises of great public
imDortance are under discussion. The com
nanv agrees to pay to the city annually per
cent Of It's gross receipts from the operation
of the road" but apparently IT means TO pay
nothing on It's receipts from the use and rental
of the multfarious conduits over which II re-
serves complete control.
1t seems TO us that this is an extremely
serious avoidance of natural and just claim
10 CONDENSATION for privilege which may be-
come even more lucrative than the operation OF
underground roads There is no logical reason
why any such discrimination in receipts should
be made II there is practical reason. 1t must
he derived from the relations existing between
the Metropolitan Street Railway Company ana
Tammany Hall. which encourage the former 10
demand far more than II is entitled to receive.
In our opinion the company ought TO pay and
ought TO be willing TO pay. into the city treas
nry a fair proportion Of It's total receipts from
the occupation of the tunnels and their ap-
proaches including occupation by advertise
ments. newsstandS and other mercantile appli-
ances I'm stations. lndisputaby this matter re-
! oulres the most careful consideration on the
part Of the Commission and the Legislature
As does also the exaction of a perpetual fran
chSe. There is evidence already that the peo-
pie have begun TO think of these things