New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-21
E.SLER nv PHILADELPHIA.
FINANCIAL VENTURES OF THE HEAD OF
THE METROPOLIS CONTRACT


METROPOLITAN
Street Railway Company have professed that
they have withdrawn altogether from the tunnel
project. it is generally believed that they will
eventually be among the bidders for the con-
tract. In point of fact. the Commissioners are
inclined TO look upon the Metropolitan Railroad
as the legitimate operator OF the underground
system. and To regard II as the only responsible
possible bidder yet m the ield 1t IL true that
two other syndicGtes have stated their willing
ness to construct the road IEder the conditions
provided in the act IL stands. Ore Of
these syndicates incorporated a couple Of
DAYS ago under The name OF the Manhattan
Transit Company. Its principal incorporators
are Bert Ress. q lawyer, Of Brooklyn and
Thomas c. Mellefont. OF London England. who
Is staying at the ST. Denis Hotel The other
syndicate is known the Metropolis Contract
Company. Of which Frederick r. Eser is presi
dent. The representatives OF both IN csc con-
Germs have asserted that they have the neces-
cary capital behind thcn TO undertake the work
Of building tbs tunnel. but neither has as
yet properly assured the Commission of his
financial responsibility their propositions have
not so far received serious consideration by the
Board. A dispatch from Philadelphia gives the
following information regarding the career OF
Mr.. Fsler In that city. -,-,
yers' Club Frederick f. Esler became promi
nenty known as a contractor. In that capacity
he stands to-day at the head Of the Metropolis
Contract Company bidding TO build NewYork
Cfty's rapid-transit system for lump sum Of
S3O00OO0O Until this proposition was made
the name OF Frederick p. Eser had all but been
forgotten in this city but r has not been so
many years since MS activities were known and
felt here. His last great undertaking was in
1893. when he had charge OF campaign head
quarters in the Twentieth Ward. fund OF
$4,000 was supplied TO defeat the reelection
Of Thomas NJ. Hammett as Select Councilman.
The desired end was obtained. and since then
this city has seen little OF Mr. Esler. he
turned TO New-York. Early iii life Mr.. Eser de-
veloped genius for politics. There are some old
time Democrats still living who can tell a tale
OF the disappearance OF some of the City Com
r,tttee's records on critical occasion. and
their publication in newspaper
From banker MI Es'er became promoter.
1t was early in the eighties that Esler entered
into the rapid-transt fever in this city. and
launched the Philadelphia and Northeastern
Elevated Railroad In Front-st He interested
Charles II. Cramp in the scheme, and Mr.. Cramp
and others put UP money. The late George H.
Boxer once president OF the Union League. was
made president. Amos r. Little and Walter
Wood also went into the scheme. Three or four
years were required TO get bill through the
Councils The progress OF the Northeastern
Railroad was further blocked in 1883 by an In
vestigaton into alleged bribery. The commit
tee did not ind the allegations proved. and the
bill was passed. The concern became known as
the Northeastern Rapid Trans, Company. The
construction of the road was delayed until
nearly the time limit which was extended.
Finally a hundred yards OF construction were
put up In Front-st.. north Of Market-st suits
were begun by property -owners in the Supreme
Court and IL was decided that the highways Of
a city could not be used for that purpose.
Another undertaking Of Mr.. Eser Was the
Philadelphia Illuminating Company. II obtained
privileges for public lighting Esers company
was organized with q capital OF SJooOto. and a
plant was established. which was bonded for
$4,000. The Third National Bank advanced
5000 on some OF the bonds. The Fort Wayne
Jenny Construction Company furnished electrical
apparatus, and Albert F. Moore put UP the wires.
The Esler company proceeded to bid for public
lighting IN the district supplied by the Brush
company, and got years contract at 20 cents
q light per night The bid Of the Brush
company was 40 cents. Poles were erected.
and the Esler company began business. Until
the Esler company reached out for commercial
work everything moved smoothly. 1t was WITH
out the bounds of their privileges ana Chief
Walker Of the Electrical Bureau sent cut men
TO cut the wires Eser took the matter into
court and was beaten. Mr.. Esler. when the year
was ND went out Of business. Subsequently
General Louis Wagner became president Of the
yeorganized Third National Bank and proceeded
to recover the amount of money owed 70 the
bank by TIE Esler company. The General sued
for attachment, and he got the plant. The Fort
Wayne people got nothing. Chief Walker says
the city conhscated the poles and the Third
Natl MI
An account OF all Esler's financial activities
in this city would FIJI large volume. The pres
ent manager of the Fort Wayne Construction
Company In this city remembers Esler very
well He sold him the outfit for the light and
power plant referred to above. To use his own
words. knew the Eslers. and might have
had better sense. But Eslcr came IN here with
a feryent and convincing narrative OF the ire