New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-01
TIE NEED or DELTBERATTON.

Controller Colers advocacy Of municipal con-
struciion Of underground roads is another strik-
ing instance of the unexpected happening. The
Controller is certainly not closely affiliated with
Tammany Hall but hitherto there has been no
public reason 70 think that his views on the
subject Of rapid transit differed materially from
those Of his colleagues in the city government
For months after he entered office he attended
nc meeting of the Rapid Transit Commission.
nor afterward when earnestly opposing the
scheme for an issue of NewIork County bonds
for rapid-transit purposes did he embrace the
natural opportunity 10 say good word for the
original plan OF municipal ownership against
which Tammany has been supposed 10 be irrcv-
ocably committed. Considerable surprise is
therefore sure 70 be excited by the Controllers
present argument that. through the increase in
valuations Of taxable property and the probable
adoption Of constitutional amendment reiev-
ing the city Of $50 100000 Of county indebted
ness. lust ahead of us is way. plain and
simple II secure the construction of the rail
way and retain it in possession Of the city
which he thinks will soon he in n condition 10
spend $10O0OO00 year for the purpose II
should be added that Mr. COler, though he
speaks thus strongly in favor Of this method.
does not assume an obstinate and unreasonable
tone but says with excellent sense: AT the
"yerv least all ought 10 unite in desiring and
insisting that before anything is dOne-eXcept
ito give The Commission the powers it asks
"for-theYe should he full discussion Of the
proposition
Such discussion being as we have insisted.
essential 20 q satisfactory settlement of one Of
the most important questions ever submitted TO
the people. or 10 an official body representing
their interests. the Controller renders a public
service by dwelling on the immense prospective
value Of the rights which the Metropolitan COM
pany is prepared 10 acquire on It's own terms
81 for one" he says do not wish 10 go down
''to posterty rs an official who was unable to
see beyond his nose and gave away princcly
franchises for song; and he continues:
Does any one know what he subway privilege
IS worth? l have been figuring over it. and |
have come 10 the conclusion that it is worth
more than the railway itself. Yet full control
and disposal OF the subway Will be granted gra-
20 the Metropolitan people If their pres
ent proposal is accepted. In that one pat OF the
fra nchise there half dozen franchises |
should Ike to have what Just OF them Will
bring in. II will give the Metropolitan people Il
virtual monopoly OF the carrying Of heat. power,
air, light. telephone and telegraph wires, II not
Of the businesses themselves. In this city. No
one will be able TO compete with them as car
rier OF pipes and wires for In the tunnel the ease
Of access and repair will be ideal.
is there any provision in the proposal Of the
Metropolitan syndicate by which the city can
pet in the future increased compensation?
No: they orly say that they VIII pay > per cent
of the gross receipts. No matter what vast
revenues the subway and railway may be re-
.urning fifty or hundred wears hence. the sue
SCISSORS OF the Metropolitan people will still.
ar as any prefent provision 10 the contrary is
concerned, pay only per cent Of the gross
earnings OF the railway alone. II they or any
,ther private capitalists are 10 have the great B.
franchise In perpetuity IT is our duty To look
head. To be deliberate and secure for the people