New-York tribune., 1901-04-15
JOHNSON ATTACKS AGAIN.
THE NEW RAPID TRANSIT
BILL AS A DANGEROUS MEASURE.

BILL AS A DANGEROUS MEASURE.
Albert l.. Johnson is continuing with unabated
vgor his struggle to get the contract to build his
proposed rapid transit extension to Brooklyn and
Staten Island and obtain entrance to this
city for his trolley line to Philadelphia. Mr.. john
styles himself an expert in removing obstacles
The Rapid Transit Commission he considers to be
the formidable obstacle in his path. and using
the tools of plain words and vigorous denunciation
Mr.. Johnson goes at the task OF securing It's re-
moval with all the vim and energy of man VINO
after twenty-five years of successful railroad build
ing still. Mr.. Johnson says he can, run
hundred yards in eleven seconds.
Choosing the amendments to the Rapid transit
bill prepared by the commission as his point OF
attack, he offers President Orr of the Rapid
Transit Commission explanation OF why the
bill CARRYING the amendments is being held up at
Albany, thus making 1t necessary for Mr. orr 10
ask for a special hearing before the committee
having charge Of the bill. His explanation is that
some one at Albany has been reading the BILL
which Mr. Johnson declares to be "a bill to enaoie
the capitalists behind the contractor to get away
with the so 100000 s2000o0 of profits which they
will have to the credit of their account when they
have completed the construction of the Manhattan
tunnel and then escape all the other ana furtner
obligations of their contract.
IT should be remembered, says Mr.. Johnson, that
under the present conditions the contractor mas
agreed not only to build tunnel and railroad III
the tunnel but also to equip and operate the ran
road for fifty years paying rent the interest on
the bonds issued to pay for the work ana pesioes
setting aside a further every year to provide a
sinking fund for the redemption of the oonos. ne
contractor has entirely sublet the construction
work so that SAYS MIR. Johnson, he knows beyond
a doubt that he and his friends will be from
slO0OOOO0 s2 900 to the good when the work Is
completed. The BILL according to Mr. Johnson, now
before the legislature, says that the contractor
with the consent of the commission. may assign TO
a corporation the operating part of his contract
the corporation to perform all the obligations and
accept all the responsibilities of the original con-
tractor Here Mr.. Johnson enters his first objection
saying:
of pra nas IS whch f so long as the contract is
tinuing construct and also to operate Is
that bona bart to of fh the p1Sf in whc espe
interested-the operation Of the road! Inc oii goes
with the operating part of the contract Not at all
the eSS 6oers of stock in the CONSTRUCTION comPany
and then. If the operating company is not hnan-
dumped dun back upon the people Of Nex-YOrk CITY,
best way they can.
lie also finds other ways in which he thinks the
contractors guarantors released from respon-
sibillty. In speaking of the bonds given to
the proper fuhlment Of the contract he says:
The bill would seem tread to read that the bonds now
contract continue in force after the proposed as as;
does not actually so provide. and that such a pro-
vision would be of no effect. anyway. He says
change the, contract between Mr.. McDonald's
suretes and tho city.
than o that m He SAYS that If these pass
MF McDonnid With respeci to these suretes, that
the sureties Will cease TO have the same rights
will be Immediately dscharged-disc that
is. upon the making Of the assignment and before
has been done.
Concerning the powers OF condemnation. which he
considers he the worst features of the bill, Mr.
Johnson quotes from his lawyer follows:
THE amendments on pages 20 to II inclusive con-
fer upon the Board OF Rapid Transit Commissioners
the astonishing power OF authorizing any present
chises easements or privileges which they think Mt
and vest tIle thereto not In the city subject TO the
tractor himself in fee simple absolute. There seems
to be no limit TO this power except the arbitrary
I'm this way important and perhaps indispensa-
lutely in the contractor and his successors wh~
Will thus occupy commanding N Ing, position They viii M
question of n lease of the railroad comes up.
venting the city from undertaking the Operation OF
the railroad tsG an ana shey could M pr9oa6y so ar
ship contemplated by the Rapid Transit act a
After detailing his objections to the proposed
amendments Mr.. Johnson says:
challenge Mr.. Orr TO answer squarely the follow
FFirst-if the pill passes and If the next day an
on he bond w and or on w he s9i s
bond become entitled 10 immediate exoneration?
Second-Will the new corporation to be approved
by the commission be competent to contract with
the board either for construction and operation or
for construction only for operation only, while
existing railroad companies will not he competent
to ton ne Whs the ana
Thrd-Wn a way be open by which If the COM
mission pleases. present and future contractors
lawfully acquire a title in fee by condemnation
proceedings 10 important and necessary railroad
adiuncts-terminas and functions with other roads.
for example?
Alexander E. Orr. president OF the Rapid Transit
Commission. at his home. No. 102 Remsen-st
Brooklyn, begged to be excused from seeing re-
porters last evening In regard Mr.. Johnson s
statement. He said however. that he would see
them to-day at his Office in the Produce Exchange
Building.