New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-23
RAp1n TRANSIT AMENDMENTS.

Tho amendments 10 the Rapid Transit act de-
lvernd to the Legislature yesterday In behai
Of rho Commission have been pretty accuratel!
foreca sted in its formal and informal statements
md on 4 first reading Of the somewhat torlhl
dahle document no striking novelty appears
II will he noted ut once. and with general SAT
isfaction. we think that the Commission mas
abandoned the scheme for an issue or New
yorl, County bonds for the construction OF
ronid transit roads which should he and remain
nm asset of the county. That plan has NOT
horne discussion well practical objection
which Il was impossible to overcome arose at
.once from the determined hostility or the
municipal administration. Moreover II the
scheme was not unconstitutional, it had the
onneorance Of being an avoidance OF the CON
stitution which tended to dscredit II. and FOR
This and other reasons many substantial clu-
1ens who are not In awe of Tammany could
mot nersuade themselves to accept the Com
missions view. The abandonment of the
county bond scheme has consequently not hurt
but improved the prospects for rapid transit.
The Commission now proposes three alterna-
tives namely that rapid transit roads shall be
constructed by the city in general accordance
with the original act. or. if that appears I'M
rocticoble bv contract with some existing
railroad company. or by granting the FRANCHISE
for construction and operation either to an eN-
listing company or to a new one formed for the
nurDose The Commission. in n word Is not
willing 10 abandon outright the plan Of munic-
inol construction. and indeed seeks new pow
ers which might facilitate that method, but, at
the same time it would make the way smooth
for the employment Of private capital. and APP
narentlv incnes 10 the belief that rapid transit
must be provided by that means. This IS the
conclusion 10 which the community has
recently been coming. and this official invitation
70 corDora ions and capitalists will not starlle
ANYBODY ON the contrary. our impression Is
that II will find strong support In public sent-
mont The need for underground roads Is
moro and more urgently felt. the attitude Of the
CITY government and the condition Of the city's
finances discourage former hopes of prompt
relief through use Of the citys credit, il they
do not actually preclude the possibility Of such
relief and naturally, therefore, the people are
disposcd 10 look with favor upon plan for the
enlistment Of private resources. There is
nrcyalent belief that the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company regards the underground
franchise with favora belief which of late
neither the Commission nor the company has
TO say the least. seen fit TO discredit II that
should prove 70 he the solution Of the problem
now officially contemplated, we suppose no
strenuous objection would be raised. provided
that the city's interests were wisely and care
fully protected AT every point
Whether or not this has been done in the
amended act now submitted examination and
discussion at Albany and elsewhere must de-
termine. As an illustration Of the need for
close scrutiny we may cite the clause relating
10 temporary exemption from taxation of the
holder Of the franchise which, reduced TO sim
pie English, appears to provide that no taxes
shall be levied before the profits are less than
= per cent. II that means anything It means
something very different from what was in
tended more important clause is that which.
while prohibiting the occupation Of parks and
certain streets, provides that rapid transit roads
may be constructed and operated across them
below the surface Now. II n road were built
across and below the surface OF Union Square
strip of the surface might and presumably
would be devastated during the whole period
Of construction II is serious question
whether such license as that wou.- be favor
ably regarded by the people, great as their de-
sire for adequate transportation facilities is
known 10 be. II Is certainly n detail which
needs 10 be considered with the utmost care.
In general the amendments appear 10 meet the
requirements Of the case so far. as II is under
stood. Without some definite knowledge Of