davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
A BID FROM METROPOLITAN
OFFERS TO BUILD THE UNDERGROUND
ROAD.
THE PROPOSITION LOOKED UPON FAVOR
ABLY BY PRESIDENT ORR AND MR..
R1vEs-WOULD BEGIN WORK SOON
MAYOR VAN WICK ATTENDS
RAPID TRANSIT MEETING
FOR THE FIRST TIME.


At last after long, weary walt and In
Vulnerable setbacks. the underground rapid
transit railroad seems in A fair way OF taking
tangible form The Metropolitan Street Rail
way Company. taking time by the forelock
yesterday submitted to the Board OF RAPID
Transit Commissioners a proposal to build the
underground railroad system upon the route
and plans adopted by the Commission. The
Metropolitan company stpuates, however that
1t shall acquire the franchises in perpetuty.
corporate privilege which the trainers OF the
city charter uncompromisingly set their faces
against. and provides also that no greater com
pensation shall be paid to the city than a
rental Of > per cent upon the gross receipts ot
the operation OF the road. Moreover, the com
pany reserves to itself the right to pay moth
ing should It's receipts be insufficient, through
neglect Of operation or inadequate service. to
show a surplus Of j per cent upon the cost OF
construction and operating expenses. In such
event no condition seems to be made whereby
the franchise shall lapse and the property re-
vert to the city. These are details, however.
which the Commissioners, who have throughout
manifested the single purpose Of safeguarding
the interests Of the city. will undoubtedly see
are determined to the advantage OF the COM
munity
The bill now before the Legislature empower
Ing the Board to resort to private capital for the
construction OF the road. and for granting a
franchise in perpetuity, has not yet been passed.
But in the minds Of those no are logically and
politically competent to add two and two to-
gether the offer of the Metropolitan company
at this stage leaves doubt that the bill VIII
receive the assent of the Legislature.
THE OFFER NO SURPRISE
To the readers of The Tribune the proposition
formally made by the Metropolitan com
pany will come with surprise. For over
eighteen months this paper has consistently
pointed out how deeply the company had It's
fingers in the rapid transit pie, and that when
the time came for the underground road TO be
built. the contract would go To the capitalists
Of ;he Metropolitan company. Until the present
Tammany administration came into power there
was every probability that the Commission
would be able to carry out It's plans in their en-
tirety and would thereby have preserved the
road to the city. Tammany. however. when it
secured control Of the ctys affairs. quickly
knocked this arrangement on the head. At the
outset the mouthpeces Of Tammany openly ridt-
culed the whole project formulated by the Com
mission but later they modified their opinion
sufficiently to acquesce i'm the advantage Of an
underground system, but, using the debt-mt
bueaboo as ii came to be known lever, in
sisted that the scheme should be left to private
CAPITALISTS. At the time there was no hesitation
in many quarters in ascribins the attitude taken
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28

They are willing 10 organize new corporation;
hereinafter called the Tunnel Company, when shall
agree with satisfactory guarantees OF peri man f
operate the underground rapid transit road on @ ,me
route and plans Of the Ccmmsson win sone me p1s ts
sble notifications In detail. as 10 spdSe Iol s.'
tions. places Of access width OF tunnel etc etc,
which may be suggested by engineers % ana approved
by your Board. and upon the following terms
Frs-The road 10 he constructed In TWO sections.
Cs) The first section. from the southern terminus
TO a point between Fort George ana the Shp Ndldl'
TO be constructed Immediately, the work 10 DE com,
menced within three months ana 20 pc coHlpielt1u
hin thrty-sx months after the right Is acquired
cbC The second section TO comprise the remainder
Of the entire route on both branches TO be com
menced a. soon as the net earnings from the opera
,Ho go ,ha abroad upon the first section shall he
sufficient pay per cent upon the actual cos' o
construction and equipment and to be competed
within twenty-four months thereafter
Reasonable provision TO be included In the con-
tract for extensions OF time IN case 9t t,sa,io
or other delay for which the runner Company u
second-The railroad to be operated in connec-
tion with the Metropolitan Street Railway ana 10
no leased 10 the Metropolitan Street Railway COM
pany in perpetuity. or for term pracuc;atXg X squr
alent thereto. for rental 70 the runner IN Supny
OF per cent upon the actual cost OF construction
Third-The fare on all cars or trains except those
hereinafter described express. to be hve cents
This to include all cars or trains run on e ,ne & ou.
side tracks. All passengers carried for I'VE Gemss %
~ the NetropOlitan Street Railway Company for
an additional fare OF three cents Conversely all
messengers over the surface lines or the Metro
politan Street Railway 10 be entitled to be car
ried over the Tunnel Road on cars ana trains
other than express for fare OF three cents In ad-
dition 10 the present surface railway fare.
~ tbn Netropolltan Street Railway Company and
we'll as by transfers, unless II shall be determined
that the running Of the same cars on both rodus
would unduly interfere Win the capacity vi SPccu
OF the Tunnel Road.
Track connections with the surface lines for the
eon,E,uoss sns5er ai,ptions psSs 30 be estabshed,.
iaj AZ or near Thirty second-st for the LeSins-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
SAMOAN SITUATION UNCHANGED
FURTHER CONFERENCES IN WAShlN"iO''
But NO PROGRESS TOWARD
A SETTI EMENT

Washington. March 27.-The lively DISCUSSION
Of Samoan affairs in the foreign press seems ~
be the SEQUEL TO the developments OF last "eeN
which have not been followed by any mater '"'
change in the situation. Secretary Hay mas heiu
further conferences with Ambassador Won iio'-
leben. of Germany. and Sir Julian fau"'eio''
the British Ambassador, but these 1t - 90"
positively. have not advanced the supJec' 'o""'
q settlement The Berlin report in one OF 'he
London papers to the effect that the "e' ',a1
had determined to abandon the support oi o. ",' O.
taafa in order to induce the United olate0 horne
withdraw Chief Justice Chambers Is "''
ont by any propositions made here. .,. ,hot ~
II is the view OF the State Department 'i.% S,
tbe Germans should withdraw support I"m nr
Nataafa the trouble would pracucally pe Nor, U
as the Kingship is at the bottom OF ,nc Pr, i,,
affair Thus far however there has Deen nu Lam
tiroation that the Germans would anamToo alIiro
Mataafa on the contrary. the unders,anunTre 20
has been that the contention between ,,'iior in
and Maletoa would 60 over To await lur' ,ima
formation. the only action in the mean Gnr- ,lr
being restricted to the controversy p'eo,'S ,,,nic
man American and British consular anu ''
ipal officers
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28

bv the Tammany leaders TO the influence OF
either the Metropolitan or Manhattan company.
Both corporations IT stated publicly. were
STRUGGLING TO obtain on their own terms the valu-
able underground franchise through Tammany
aid The outcome OF 1t ALL and the probability
that the Metropolitan company would undertake
tho tunnel project was exclusively told In The
Trtbune Of January f. 1893. when member Of
the Commission speaking through its columns,
said
"It is certain-and speak with positive knowl-
odge-that the hope OF a speedy beginning Of the
underground road lies in the decision Of the
Netropolitan company. Hhis company has the
recassarv capital for the construction Of the
work AT IT'S command and has behind IL men Of
sunc,ent influence to obtain the consent OF the
rnunicipal authorities II they decide To under
take the contract 1t is certain that while the
present administration persists in disfavorng
the protect no other body OF capitalists or con.
tractors will bid for the work. 1t Is recognized
bv CAPITALISTS and by the Commissioners that it
would be useless TO enter upon the work unless
they were I'm accord with the administration
The obstacles that could be placed in their way
nv the city authorities would be practically in
surmountable In a sentence. the Metropolitan
street Railway Company holds the immediate
future of rapid transit in the hollow of Its
hand. as It were. Let that company resolve that
IT would be to It's advantage to build the tunnel,
and Tammany will raise no opposition"
MIR VREELANDs DISCLAIMER.
few days after that statement was pub
lished the Manhattan applied TO the Rapid Tran
sit Commission for permission TO extend its ele-
waited roads Then the Metropolitan company.
In a letter dated January IL. 1893. signed by
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
PLANS To LESSEN TAXES.
GENERAL BROOKE's DEGREES FOR THE AID
OF TIE PEOpLE

Havana. March 27.-General Brooke sent out
for drafts Of two important DEGREES which will
be PROMULGATED I'm the course Of the next few
davs These were briefly explained to General
Aiger one does away with the Spanish taxa
ton system Under its provisions all municipal
/ assessments are 10 be applied to local admins
tration.
To understand the bearings Of this. it should
be kept in mind that the entire island is divided
into 134 municipalities" the term municipality
being used 10 include country districts as well
as towns and cities The tax on city realty is
reduced to a single rate of per cent on incomes
in Havana. Matanzas Sagua. Cardenas, Glen
fuegos and Santiago; in other cities to Il per
cent and on rural properties to = per cent.
Those ruined 10y the war and those that arc not
I productive arc exempted. while all sur-taxes are
abolished.
What Is known as rcpartimento-the tax on
beef and cattle and the imposts on articles Of
prime necessity like food and fuels abolished.
The municipalities are not allowed TO lay any
export or import taxes. The question Of excise
is left 10 the municipalities. but taxes on city
and rural real estate and on commerce and IN
dustry are to he turned over. 10 be applied To-
cally
Numerous rules under this decree are made
for the collection of industrial licenses ana IN
ternal revenue Liquor taxes are increased from
80 10 100 per cent. according to classification
and all taxes are made payable IN money OF the
United States or It's equivalent
The other decree about TO be issued grants
one year from April !. 1899 10 debtors whose
Indebtedness existed on January l. 1892. "A
period of grace. during which mortgages can
not to be foreclosed or property sold for either
principal or interest For this purpose rural
property is classified as follows:
First-Propertes completely destroyed. includ-
Ing sugar plantations whose machinery is
ruined three years extension
Second Properties which. though not de-
stroyed. are non-productive at present two
years extension.
Third-Propcrties only one-half OF which is
productive. one years extension.
After these various periods, debts OF SJnO or
more are To be- payable in six annual install
nnents one at 10 per cent Of the amount. two at
IL Der cent and three at - per cent Debts or
less than 1000 to be paid In three annual
iustalments Interest due credits secured by
mortgage and not paid in the time fixed, either
because the property destroyed or unpro-
ductiye. Is remitted. and the responsibility OF
the debtor for that period Is cancelled Elaborate
regulations are made for interest not paid on
partially productive property
The decree which is long and intricate. leaves
debtors free 10 make any other ARRANGEMENTS
with their creditors which they may desire.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
ADVANCING ON MALOLOS
TROOPS TAKE .UARILAO AF1ER
HARD FIGHTING.
MANY INSURGENTS KILLED AND TAKEN
PRISONERS REBELS IN RETREAT.

Manila. March PA thousand Filipinos conn
posing the rear guard OF the rebel army. which
is retreatng on Malolos. Aguinaldo's headquar-
ters, made a stand to-day in some strong en-
trenchments about Marllao across the Marilao
River In the engagement six Americans were
killed including three officers. and forty we're
wounded
The American forces advanced from Meycaua-
yam the brigade commanded 10y General H. o.
Otis being on the left Of the railroad y nd Cen
eral Hae's on the right. They eventually dis
cerned white roofs and steepes among the green
trees beyond the river.
The rebels had an unfordable river in front OF
them. and they poured in fire effective that
II showed they were veterans. probably members
Of the native militia which the spaniards organ
lied.
The American artillery put dramatic end ~
the battle Approaching, under cover or me
bushes. to about sixty yards from the trenches'
the arterymen emerged upon an open space
commanding the town. When the Americans ap-
peared they gave a yell. and the Filpinos were
panic-stricken. about hundred seeking safety
in flight. while white flag was raise by those
who were in the trenches. who also shouted
Amigos" CFriends,D.
MANY PRISONERS TAKEN.
Colonel Funston, with twenty men Of the Kan
sas regiment. swan across the river to the left
OF the railroad bridge and captured eighty pris'
onars with ALL their arms.
The Pennsylvania regiment captured forty
prisoners.
Bv this time the right Of the Fipinos was de-
moralized.
The Americans refrained from burning the
town. and are resting there tonight
General Otis's brigade is crossing the frame
work bridge. General Hales brigade remaining
OH the south bank of the river.
The United States Philippine Commission pro-
noses 10 issue proclamation Immediately arter
the rebel government at Malolos Is dsperse''
believing that tn. most effective moment 10 80
cure the allegiance of the natives VIII pe a,''
,bev have received an object lesson ot the
Americans power -.
cereraI Mac acArthur's division spent the night
and morning at Meycauayan. the next s'a.'on
hevond Polo After reconnoitering ne pusne"
along the railroad this afternoon toward Ma
lolos
II the statement Of thirty-fve prisoners cap
,,red to-day is true. the main body OF the
enemy has retreated to Malolos.
There are no more trenches TO encounter AZ
though over thirty villages, including the larger
".,,en,orts of RuIacan and Guiguinto. intervene
FILIPINO PROCLAMATION.
,.r, railroad station circulars have been
a,oa signed by the Filipino commander-in-
ln,o, Antonio Luna. ordering all spies and pear-
80 ~ news to the enemy 10 be shot without
vial and instructing that all looters be treated
1, tho same manner Further. all towns aoan-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
ORDERS FOR AMERICAN LOCOhOTIJES
GREAT NoRTHERN's AWARD sTrRs Up COMMENT
IN ENGLAND-sUPERIOR FACILITIES HERE.

%
IN NATURALIZATION FACILITIES HERE.
London. Marcn 27-The order for twenty loco
motives given by the Great Northern Railroad Com
raDv TO the Baldwin Company. OF Phlade phia Is
causing much comment In engineering and official
circles here The contract stpulates for the dellv
er, Of the locomotives in four months, and # seems
tbat the British manufacturers needed eighteen
months to do the work
II J. Watts chief locomotive superintendent Of
tb. Great Northern Railroad. who IS now IN the
Tinted States with other English railroad men
studylng the American automatic coupling system
writes that he Is surprised at the great capacity Of
the American works
II s learned that further orders. fIom the Indian
and Australian Governments, have been given to
the Baldwin Company.
The same capacity for speedy delivery secured
for Americans the contract to build the Atbara
bridge in the Soudan 10 the intense disappolnt-
nent OF British firms. none OF whom, however, we-e
able TO guarantee the delivery Of the necessary IRON
work within the prescribed time.
In contrast with the promptitude of the Ameri-
rams # may he mentioned that the Soudan Rail
rond had 70 wait four months for small bridge
Weighing thrty-one tons.
II will perhaps be found that all the first orders
given for locomotives for the Soudsn VIII be for
those Of American construction.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28

nMs

doned by the Filipino troops are first to be
burned.
While deploring :he existence OF war the CIR
o,,,,r maintains the undeniable right OF the
Fuipinos to defend their homes lives and iands
against "would-be dominators. who VIII XIII
them and their wives and children adding that
this motive ought to impel all Filipinos to sac
riflce everything. ,,
The shelllng OF Paranaque was not premedi'
tated The monitor Monadnock anchored on the
town. and the insurgents. emboldened by the
lorg silence Of the warships on guard duty
opened fire on her with muskets, with the re-
suit that one man was killed and three were
wounded The Monadnock then destroyed hair
the town including the church
The Washington Regiment had an exciting
experience and displayed much gallantry. The
soldiers found a band OF insurgents concealed IN
a stone house over which the French flag was
living. A private volunteered TO set fire To the
building He did so. and the troops approached
when II was burning The Fipnos had appar-
entity fed The advancing troops, however were
met with a sudden volley from the balcony OF
the house The building was cleared OF the
enemy in short order.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
Mr.. CHOATE HAS SEVERE COLD.

ENGAGEMENTS CANCELLED a EsTloN OF MS
SONS ADMITTANCE TO THE MIDDLE TEMPLE.
London. March 2.--Joseph II. Choate. United
States Ambassador. is confined 10 his room with
severe cold and has been obliged 10 cancel his
engagements for the immediate future.
Joseph II. Choate jr. has decided 10 study law
IN the Middle Temple. and has applied for admit
lance His intention Is interesting Just now. as
discussion is raging among the Benchers as 10 the
adviea blity Of admitting aliens TO the English Ba.
the question having arisen on account OF the appi-
cafinn OF q ChinAman.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
TELEGRAPH RATES TO INDIA.

vIcERoY FAVORs FIFTY PER CENT REDUCTION
or THE TARIFF To EUROPE
Calcutta March N.-In the discussion of the
Indian budget IT, the Legislative Council to-day the
Viceroy Lord Curzon Of kedeston. Endorsed the
suggestOn OF the Indian Chamber Of commercs
thai the telegraphic tarin between Europe ana
India be reduced 20 per cent The Niceroy sald ne
had placed this matter among the dozen important
questions which he intended 10 take up
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
GERMANYS PLAN ABANDONED

Berlin March 27.-The National He''""e
to-day SAYS the German proposal TOT ''' p''
tion Of the Samoan Islands may be res'' 'u''
abandoned. owing tc the little responS'' ''
ticularly from Great Britain, receiver ."
suhipCt.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
,,vcu,vcr OF RIGHTS PROPOSED.
cEssIoN OF PART OF AFRICA FO" ~
LAND FISHERIES

London. March 2L-The PARIS C"''S'o ,tat
-. t~t,at sbould cede Gambia Cat the mouth
of ,bo River Gambia. Western Africa and Soko,o
Ghe most important Of the Honssa f fhe ash
INC riehts Of the French on the Ne" ,,IIlu," ,,
Treaty shore. | believe. howeNcr' ma lnat ~" WIN
,,,a,",t lion for the rights will hc pecunlarH.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
GENERAL HALE WOUNDED.
GOVERNOR THOMAS AND THE GENERALS
FATHER DO NOT BELIEVE INJURY

FATHEK DO NOT. BELTENE r TNJCKf
TO BE SERIOUS
Denver March l7.-An evening paper says:
In the victorious charge the insurgents
at Polo on Sunday General Hale fell wounded.
It is Thought seriously. while directing the ad-
vance.
"A dispatch reached Mrs. W. r. King the
Generals mother-in-law. reading as follows:
Hale slightly injured. IRVING
THE message was evidently sent to allay any
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
FR4NCE'S LANDS IN AFRICA'

.-,vr,,rvr WITH GREAT BRITAIN SUB
,,1TTrD TO CHAMBER or DEP'' ''Ir''
nj. March 27-In the Chamber of Deputies
. sa,. tho Minister OF Foreign Affairs NJ Del
Yo.sh rreso,ted the Anglo-French Convention
regarding Africa.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
SoUNDARY ARBITRAToRs ADJorRv.

s.,, w. March H.-The arbitrators IN the boun.
49,. aispute between Argentina and Chill held
noon sN meeting a. the Foreign once this after
'"o adjourned until after Easter.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
NEW PARTY DISCOURAGED.

The projectors Of the new patrlo'c 'upa"
rartv which was TO have alliances with hel'het
the Gomez nor the anti-Gomez wing OF inc orisl-
nal revolutionists arc rather discouraged al the
outcome Of the meeting at the Payrct Ihea.re
Yesterday. at which the birth "f the new or
ganization was to he celebrated. Partisans both
Of Gomez and Of the Assembly were on nahu
aud confusion marked the proceedings at every
stage The chairman Or. Torra -Albas' was
forced 10 resign the gavel and many oi the
speakers encountered marked hostility. II was
decided however. 10 complete an organization
bv wards in Havana to prepare the people 10
vote intenigenty at the elections to be held TINS
summer for Constitutional Assembly Senor
Carlos Dc Ia Tore is tho head Of the newly
chosen City Committee
The arrival # the City Of Paris filled the
streets and hotels Of Havana to-day more con-
spicuously than ever with American tourists.
despite the near approach Of the quarantine pc
riod. The tide of travel is still setting strongly
10 cuba. and March's health and weather rec
ord fully justlhes continuance Of the rush
well into April.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28

SECRETARY HOLDS CONFERENCE
WITH THE GENERALS.
SEVEN MILITARY DEPARTMENTS TO BE
MERGED INTO THREE-SUIT AGAINST
IA LUCIA"


Havana March 21-Secrctary AlgeTs nrst
dav ashore has been busy one. He landed
from tie ingalls, at $3.50 o'clock, and was at
once driven TO General Brooke's headquarters. at
the Hotel Trocha Vedado where yesterdays par
tiaI conference with the commanders OF the
various military departments was resumed
Generals Ludlow, Lee. Wilson, Hasbrouck'
Bates. Chaffee and Humphrey took part with
the Governor General and the Secretary IN the
discussion of the changes made necessary III
the military administration by the Withdrawn
Of a considerable share OF the American FORCES
and the approach OF the unhealthy rainy sea-
son It Is now understood that the seven exist
ing military divisions Will be merged into three
departments, one each for the western central
and eastern parts OF the island.
The disbandment OF the Cuban army being
now assured, political conditions are likely to
permit gradual relaxation Of the American
military occupation. No radical steps in this
direction will be taken. however. until the
forces under Gomez paid off and scattered
and work on the neglected sugar and tobacco
fields begins
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
REVIEW AT BUENA VISTA.

After the mornings conference Secretary Al
ger took luncheon with General ana MIS-
Brooke. General and Mrs. Chaffee also enter
tanning a number of guests. In the afternoon
2 visit was made TO General Lees camp at
Buena Vista. end what is left Of the command
there was reviewed by the Secretary OF war
Mr. Alger and his party will go to Matahzas on
Wednesday. and to Cienfuegos the day foilo"-
ing
II appears now that the action rsce"''S
brought against LA Lucha" for criminal iipe'
under the old Spanish code was not nsutu'eu
bv General Ludlow himself but by the flsca' ~
Ia Audiencia Of Havana. a funcuoharE "ho III
former times was supposed to take notice OF any
reflections in the newspapers upon the Oro""
or its local representatives. The Fiscal hoIu-
over Spanish official. has published caIu III
which he states that in an attempt 10 es'aphsh
responsibility for the publication OF certain
statements in LA Lucha" tending to BRING INTO
disrerute public officials Of the United states
Government he entered suit against the ohcnd-
ing editor without consultation and without IN
struction on their part.