New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-28
MARCH %. 1899. SIXTEEN PAGES.

President H. H. Vreeland declined TO go on with
the underground scheme. remarking that the
company would not be justified in asking its
stockholders to engage in the construction OF the
enterprise If the Manhattan officials were SIN
cere I'm their desire to extend and improve the
elevated lines. 1t was asserted however ana
was so stated in The Tribune, that the Metro
politan people had withdrawn only temporarily.
as they did not regard the suddenly displayed
energy of the Manhattan directors seriously.
I'm less than two years" It was stated in these
columns on January 13, 1898. the excavation
Of the tunnel will be begun and the Metropoh-
tan company will carry out the work AMER
nine months Of parleying upon the terms OF the
franchises his company asked for "eoise
Gould suddenly broke OFF all negotiations WIN
the Commission and went to Europe he iett
unanswered letter written to him by Alexander
F. Orr. asking the elevated company 10 oeoi"e
,ror some speciic action. That letter has re-
mained unanswered to the present moment
Now the Metropolitan company declares It's
readiness to undertake the tunnel scheme.
MAYOR VAN WYCKs FIRST MEETING.
Tho Metropolitan's proposal was received yes
terdav afternoon at meeting OF the Commls-
sion. especially called for that purpose. Mayor
Van Wvck broke the resolve he made soon atter
bic election never to attend a meeting Of the
BOARD so long as the present Commissioners
were in Office Yesterday for the first time ne
was present at a rapid transit meeting HIS de
norturc from the position he has htherto helu
of ignoring the proceedings OF the BOARD dudS
IN the general belief that the municipal admihlS-
tration will throw no obstacles in the path OF the
Metropolitan company.
The corporation's offer was conveyed 10 the
Commission through the medium Of the law hrm
of Root. Howard. Winthrop & Stimson' Briefly
tho proposal which the Metropolitan people
make is that they will form subsidiary com
many to be called the Tunnel Company Whlcn
shall agree with satisfactory guarantees oi per
fornance to build and operate the undergrounu
ranid transit road. Provision Is maze TOT soHe
notifications Of detail, but, comprehensNely' the
company agrees 10 adhere to the plans anu
specifications adopted by the Commission An
eminently gratifying purpose OF the company IL
10 begin work upon the first section ot the roau
,,,,,, tho southern terminus to a point between
Fort George and the ship Canal WITHIN three
months and to complete it within thirty-sx
rnonths The road g to be operated in connec-
tior with the Metropolitan Street Railroad sys-
tom The fares on trains except express trains
oro 70 no five cents. while passengers will be
entitled 70 transfer TO the streetcars. or vice
versa for three cents. on express trains ten
cent fare will be charged. These are the salient
features of the proposition. except that the com
many stipuIates that IT shall get a perpetual
franchise.
Statements issued by Alexander r. orr and
and George L. Rives. and the unanimous action
Of the Board yesterday instructing It's counsel
"to prepare such amendments to the rapid
transit law as may be needed to enable the
Roard IN consider and act upon the propositions
~ the character Of that submitted In behalf ~
the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, show
that the company's conditions will meet with no
onnosition. 1t may he said. in fact, that all
tho provisions laid down have elSeady been
tartatiyelv agreed to. The Board Will meet TO-
morrow afternoon to receive the memorial to be
drawn no by the counsel for submission to the
Legislature.
THE COMPANY'S OFFER.
The following is the text Of the Metropolitan
company's offer: -,-
10 tho Board OF Rapid Transit Railroad Commits
csntIemen: We arc authorized to make the fol-
,ring nroposal in behalf OF clients interested IN
-" Metropolitan Street Railway Company: