New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-22
COMPROMISE TUNNEL BILL
ROOSEVELT WILL PROPOSE A NEW
SCHEME ON MONDAY
FIFTY-YEAR FRANCHISE WITH TWENTY
FIvE-YEAR RENEWALS. AND NEW
BARGAIN WITH EACH EXTENSION.
TpY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBrxE.l


TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNEl
Albany. April 21.-The report Is current to-
night that Governor Roosevelt on Monday night
will send a message to the Legislature giving
his latest views on the New-York Rapid Transit
bill In this message, 1t is said, he will dwell
on the unwisdom Of granting perpetual under
ground railway charter Yet, according to re-
port he will not insist on the franchise being
limited to fifty years duration, but will COM
promise on the plan Of a fftyyear franchise
with a provision that the city authorities may
grant extensions for periods of twenty-five
years On each occasion OF the renewal OF the
franchise II is asserted the Governor would
have a reappraisement of it. In other words. a
new bargain would be made at intervals Of
twenty-five years.
II the Governor does make such recon-
mendation to the Legislature it will receive most
serious consideration, for there Is keen desire
on the part Of the leading members to pass some
measure which will give NewYork a genuine
rarid-transit system The bill can easily be
amended, as the Governor has promised to SEND
in an emergency message regarding It, NO
amendments, therefore, would necessarily de-
lay its passage.
UNDERHAND WORK.
Some one appears to be attempting to block
the pathway of those who are seeking to give
New-YorlI a rapid transit road. They are en-
deavoring, for instance, to prevent the passage
of the constitutional amendment introduced by
Serator Stranahan at the request of the Greater
New-York Commission separating the debt Of
the counties of Kings. New-York, Queens and
Richmond from that OF the city. This amend
ment was adopted by the Legislature of 1888,
and only needs to be adopted by the present
Legislature to reach the people at the polls next
fall Controller Coler Of NewYork was report
ed in to-day's Tribune saying:
The constitutional amendment relieving the
city OF the Indebtedness of the counties has now
been so far advanced that a vote on 1t may GER
tany be expected at this session Of the Legis-
lature. so that II can go to the people this fail
It's adoption will enable the city to build the
tunnel
Were the Constitution so amended Controller
Coer also asserted, the city could easily devote
S1OO0OOOO a year to the tunnel without in any
way interfering with the municipal improve
ments already contemplated.
Senator Stranahan's constitutional amendment
went through the present Senate without oppo-
siton, but to-day 1t had a strange experience in
the Assembly. When II came up on the order
of second reading Mr.. Kelsey moved that it be
ordered to second and third reading declaring
that it was acceptable to every one. but. to his
surprise Mr. Aids said he had received word
from Senator Stranahan that the latter desired
some amendments made to II. The measure was
therefore not advanced. but sent TO the Commit
tee on Rules Later Senator Stranahan, when
informed OF what had occurred. said he had sent
no one 10 Mr.. Aids with any such request. On
the contrary, ne opposed to any amend
ment If the measure was amended ii might as
we'll be killed. for In that case the work of the
Legislature OF 1895 would be undone. 1t would
have to pass yet another Legislature.
THE RASCAL NOT EXPOSED.
Mr. Kelsey receiving this word from Senator
Stranahan informed Mr.. Aids Of what he had
heard Mr. Aids went over to Senator Strana-
han and asked him about the matter, and
learned that he had been grossly misled. Mr.
Aids said he could not remember who II was
that brought him this alleged word from Senator
Stranahan Senator Stranahan said tonight:
Mr.. Aids promises me that he Will withdraw
his opposition to the amendment, and, therefore.
| think 1t will pass He could not remember
who told him that | said the amendment should
be changed, but that is not to be wondered at
for there are lots of people who come to me
daily and say things, whose faces and names
cannot remember | presume 1t was some de-
signing rascal who is seeking to defeat the
amendment 1t is a most material part or the
Rapid Transit enactments. and hope it VIII be
passed Immediately by this Legislature and be
approved by the people at the polls this fall