New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-02
nor TERMS FOR THE CITY.
SENTIMENT AGAINST ACCEPT.
CIV xcr OF METRoroMrAN's OFFER

tNN cpoxrR D1sAGREEs WITH
,rR As TO MUNICIPAL CON
sTRUCTION - POSSIBLE
SPEED OF TRAINS
more the terms under wn''" '"e "v"o
Ih' s..oo, Railway people have stated their
?o.'''' -. 20 build the underground railway are
wv tho less favorably they are regarded
poke' xo~rors generally. on all sides ob)ec-
~ NJ hoirg urged TO the acceptance of the
ions o. ,,,s nronosi,ion The principal points
Ne"" ,.A ,esue is being raised are the demand
4 rpo" ,o,,,al franchise and the refusal Of the
- nav any proportion to the city or
r.o,s dcrivable from the carrying or wires
~ ,ipes through the tunnel
o." ~ o~o beginning to discern that the com
=, nat only seeking to acquire franchse
fsN dorground railroad. but for a gigantic
! !" ,ha, IN addition to being of inestimable
tho whitney gas and electric lighting
""' .n svrd,cates. will bring in an enormous
O." ~ J., rsntals from other corporations de-
~, LAYING their wires or tubes along the
! sv ~ the tunnel And yet for these ines
,,oorne-bearing possibilities the Metro
Nc" companv proposes to compensate the
4 10
''..,pts Of the railroad service.
:, attending this somewhat inadequate propo-
.-o Mr.. Whitney contends that the tunnel is
! lar. SPECULATION. and that 1t is propiema'icai
~, venture could be made to yield falr re-
-, ppon the outlay for construction even with
y. addition Of the profits attainable from the
" - the tunnel as subway.
| o,,er more or less mildly specious arguments
-. h,oucht into play by the representatives Oh
-. oompanv to Justify the independent attitude
4 - have adopted that they don't care a hans
",.,ber their proposition is accepted, that II is
/ ". hos, they will offer, and that the city can
4 1t or leave II" 1t thinks hit.
I ~.,s stand. however many people believe
4 Is from the knowledge that the majority
!, ns Rapid Transit Commissioners are anX-
". that II the road is to be built by private
4 ..,,sl the work shall be undertaken by the
Metropolitan comrany.
rnrE OF THE TUNNEL AS A SUBWAY.
r,o oninion is expressed that no one can be
20 coenizant of the future remembering
..hfi,,es = the tunnel than Mr.. Whitney and
80 who are Interested with him in developing
a. commercial scope Of electricity and gas by
AVS of the tunnel they could convey heat,
and
- n the line. where land is cheap. through the
,.,rt Of the city at merely nominal cost For
n.,encc NJ something like a dozen miles gas
/ "a water pipes telegraph and telephone wires
>, .rarp,atic tubes could be carried from one
81 ~ the city to the other at a minimum OF
,,snse Considered merely as a subway the
apnel would have immense advantages over all
suing subways. The Metropolitan company
l .nN underbid all other subways. for the rea-
can that no expense would be necessary for the
h msning Of streets. Again. ii would be an eco
n,rieal advantage for the Metropolitan COM
Many or other concerns renting facilities in the
/ tunnel to have their pipes and wires always IN
n sgA, at all points where they could be inspect
IL a rsnaired or renewed at a 1.-THE OF the cost
lvArh this work necessitates under present sys-
tens
iii Taken altogether. the belief is prevalent that
H. franchise is the most valuable which has
frs- been offered in this or any other city. Con-
vGsr Coer who has consistently advocated
II nr the underground railroad should be con-
\ r.cted by private capital, is urging that the
N crmissioners should hesitate before giving
\ nw practically for nothing franchise the
Nth Of which is impossible Of estimate He
hakly states his conviction that the subway
Ey1eges will prove greater source Of profit
ean the working of the railroad itself. NO
k6y knows what this privilege is worth" he
avs and have come 10 the conclusion that II
worth more than the railroad franchise. be-
ause II involves no expenditure Yet full con-
a over these privileges is given away to the
Metropolitan company. In this franchise there
az half dozen franchises. 1t will give the
Metropolitan people a monopoly in heat. light,
i power telegraph and telephone wires. No one
VIII be able t. compete with il as a carrier Of
Ilpes and wires If this franchise is TO be grant
III perpeuity il is our duty to look ahead and
see iha, the city is to get something cOmmensu-
rate With the privileges it is giving away"
Il THE TERMS WILL HAVE TO BE MODIFIED.
Reasoning Of this kind is gaining ground every
L osy Peopl4 40 not hesitate to say that with
he aid Of the tunnel the Metropolitan company
would not only have q monopoly in the drec-
lion pointed out by Mr.. Coler but would ulti
II haiely acquire control Of the travelling facil
II uss Of the city Such a possible contamination
\ y not viewed altogether with unqualified delight
IL those who are obliged TO travel on the lines
present operated by the Metropolitan com
II Nhy NEWCOMERS have good reason TO know
personal experience that the company has
aN always been actueted by a regard for their
"miort Even now. despite all kinds Of public
protest, II continues to dump passengers out Of
II s cars IN foul weather as we'll as fair. at the
@'aouse At Fftieth-st. and Seventh-ave. and
oher places upon its routes
can BE- safely said tina; the franchise will
:" 30 10 the company without some modhca-
"h o. terms one Commissioner at least is OPP
III l..
"hen the time comes for action public
~M VIII induce the Board TO insist that
"e snail be- some limitation on the length Of
"'e OF the franchise, and that provision shall
g ""oe Tor some part Of the subway profits
Is us wa into the citys exchequer.
ihE CITY NAY BUILD THE TUNNEL
0'er' It Is contended that If the Commits
-"--lol obtain move advantageous terms