New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-01
IETROPOLITAN'S CONDUITS
III TO RESTRICT THEIR USE TO
LIGHTING AND RUNNING CARS.
AY RESULT. If SUSTAINED. IN SECURING
TO THE CITY GOOD ANNUAL FRAN
CHIsE FEE-RUMoR THAT STAND
ARD OIL rs THE PRIME MOVER.

Business men were inclined to think yesterday
nat ~ there be any truth in the amended adage,
when corporations fall out. the taxpayer comes
" his own" II seemed likely that the action
Fought against the Metropolitan Street Railway
aompany TO prevent 1t from using for any o'her
Irpose than the propulsion and lighting OF It's
Ars electricity carried through the conduits along
rs surface railway tracks would. II the aHega-
tons contained In the complaint shouid be estao-
shed on the trial Of the cause result in the Metro
bltan company being compelled 20 pay the CITY
handsome annual franchise fee which otherwise
light be lost to II. This view is founded on the
NOR that the Standard Oil Company. through
!, control OF the Consolidated Gas Company Is
1e prime mover in the suit. and also taxes II TOT
ranted that the Metropolitan company is really
,out TO make some other use Of its electric power
is possible that both premises are wrong
No official o, the Metropolitan company could be
md yesterday who would admit that that cor
ration intended to sell electricity from It's con-
Its for heating or lighting anything else, and
ne attorneys for William II. Rieger, the plaintin IN
the suit would not affirm deny that Mr.. Rieger
was acting in the interest Of some corporation
which does not appear In the complaint Never
theless they issued a formal statement OF inc
reasons why the suit was brought and In IL they
ssert positively that the city Is about 10 De
lronged
STATEMENT OF THE PLAINTIFF
Here Is part or the statement Haue u! James
ehell & Elkus. OF No. 50 Pine-st. attorneys for
te plantif:
This action is brought for the purpose of en-
lining the Metropolitan Street Railway Company
ON using the subways which they have built
%aSs ' @hch s4 re 10 supply feScy
Lighting and Po sU ,BS bu Without yT hg the
smpany paying the city anything for such a
lie way. il may be that the Metropolitan Street
.ailway Company; instead of carving on suc1
5ntract with some other corporation, which will
arry on the business directly with the pubic
~ believes that by the actions OF the defendant
great and serious loss Ras accrue" sGd ,uc,denav
sG nd c yeE %; Sa are
bformed that responsible parties are are ~. %'ns ~
nm 10 tne city Tor the same privilege which the
fetropolitSn street Railway Company Is usurpihs
7 propose TO usurp for nothing. ,o
No permission has been granted to me faii" fS
lmpany either by the Municipal Assembly or f 1y
NJ other purpose than that OF operating It's street
way The charter prohibits the sranIng OF yos ar
"a then only after certain formalities are COM
He'd with and price is paiaM e 9eTelGr Street
lsllway Company and its ofhcers have mace nv, iIo
ese conduis and the electrical conductors either
hced therein about to be placed thereln. 10 d
rp Dass OF sTppVng Electricity to the public FOR
atine. lighting and power purposes LOT p oye
adii SfO seen to TO be enormous re
Il would n ppear from this statement that the
Lnubished reports that the Metropolitan com
~ was not laying for nothing far more cond1i's
II needed 10 run It's may nave hhd
t,,ation in feet and also that the city tds
other Immensely valuable franchise to dispose oi
hich is greatly desired by one or more corpora
bns
OFFICIALS CO-DEFENDANTS.
Tn. suit was begun in the Supreme Court on
fursday BY the service Of summons ana COM
Lint No temporary injunction will be procured
l. attorneys say nut order VIII be asked iof
, examine before trial. Messrs. Nreeiand brauE'
over RYAN Flkins. Widener and certain ohcerS
d employes Of the company. By whose evidence II
kboped to prove TO the Court that the company
nurpose to sell electricity from It's conduits 10
who NAV wish to buy it, James +. keatng'
,lntSsioner of Highways, and Henry 3 keerhy;
,u,missIoner OF Public Buildings, Lghung am, any
,nnlies have been made defendants 10 the sun
so and the Court will be asked TO restrain thein
ON granting to the Metropolitan company an!
rmit TO use its electricity for any other puIposSS
an IN onerate and light its cars. 1t Is reported
at the Company depending on these OH OH,
asioners for a permit which would be practca.iIy
anuiyalent 10 a franchise for the use OF 'he Gnu"
onduits which they have constructed. l., a,,,.o
Mr. RIeger the plaintiff. is not engaged M dCtNe
rsiness hut has an office at No IL East IWeh'!-
So ~ where he manages his own rea! estate