New-York tribune., 1901-03-25

has shown that every rapid transit plan Is opposed
! by at least one counter plan.
! ALREADY HAD SUCH AN EXPERIENCE
The board has already had such an experience.
After II had proposed practeable route for Man
| RAILWAY " COMPANY made a series of Counter sug-
gestons under the provision Of the act permitting
| urged upon the board not only by that company.
bat by citizens and officials Of distinction. and by
a considerable public sentiment. The board took
up the negotiation and continued II for long time
effectvely secured by extension Of the elevated
railroad system IL would not let any PRIDE or opn,
the Manhattan company several franchises. sub
stantially such it had asked for, but accom- sn
panied them with the requirement as 10 eacn tndt
the company should bind itself within reasonapie
10 thus actually provide rapid transit Inc me
haitian company declined every one OF me , lraI II
its option. and refused any really binding assurance
10 construct single additional o, mile OF II ann for
years without substantial counter obligation on lls
other rapid transit work would have been delayed
for the period Of the option and 5 ne eE sre oi bee
left without relief. The time consumed in the
The board refuses to be now put In any such
position. II has adopted plan which is WI witnin mn
probably be obtained. Whether not it be the
very best plan il is at least one which promises e
South South M Brooklyn, the board will not my opin
bandon the or pf respons
ble unless the suggestion be precise. and carry
with 1t real assurance that the new plan can oe
This brings me to your proposition which you
Il am willing to consider any reasonable pTopos,,
ton that may be offered by the Kapld & nrnnased
route dhat is TO say: the route now before o, Inc
%hPsi sonpb BTookSn s near scondaVe possible
Cbeing governed entirely by cost OF constTuctiol'
rows To- meet the debt limit objection win
say that if the Rapid Transit Commission will pre-
that am capable Of bringing sufficient credit TO
a kp
my part of this guarantee 10 charge fare not 10
TeweYork 10 the mouth of the tunnel on Staten
Island My proposition would be 10 pay
union wages upon the construction ana opefauoh oi
TOO VAGUE AS YET.
have now quoted or intended TO quote all OF
constitutes proposition. or anything IKE pr Pfopo-
sition You and every other business man ol ,Sa eH
10 justify the board in withdrawns its present plan
ana IN nGurr1g the serious delay ana Sstai Of Your
plan, TO an ascertainment OF the cost ana 10 20 me
OF the city. You will doubtless concede that the
board ought not TO surrender its own unanimous
secaring i'' responsible contractor. except upon
lay and expense. the city will not then fnd itseh
beg. therefore. 10 ask that your proposition be
made specific; and to be such IT should include: ..
the board withdraw its present plan and readopt u
With @ yGgG Gde en- yog T and oa or on the
terms prescribed by Iaw-that is TO say. sub
Donad bid dhf for 6e T0ad upon IN and The
30 M form o S WhcS ou an he de
clared to be enormously advantageous 10 the con-
is &c say so Tar as S os aerit Ie
which in the Brooklyn case would not be as oner-
cents cga ana except mat you limit the i1'e 10 'lss
seccnd-An assurance that such bidder will offer
the necessary security, which includes the deposit
Of S.05o.O0o in cash to secure construction bond
for construction and bond fol, the payment OF
rent. 1t may, perhaps. be assumed that the amount
Of the bonds, which alone within the discretion
that givs8 BY Mr.. Mcdonald That IS 10 say, the
amount Of the bonds would be less than OF those
ssp I & M M6u b a II a the 5s Gs s
couff TPiaF1S to seepf wo9d IN the the Nc
Third-Referring to financial limitations you
rightly stated before the committees that the road
might pernit Your proposition Should therefore
provide that the road be divided into sections that
the now allowed by the officers OF the city
provided in " the McBonaid contTact to build the
other sections Of the road in proper order from time
10 assume the obligation 10 so require rapidly
the financial authorities approve the expenditure:
situation left deficiency Of cost to be made up.
assume therefore il the city cannot prop
S eG0de Ihe cost 1 OF ea sn extension % s faF ar enough
zens expressed at the hearings. you will yourself
provide the means necessary in addition TO those
provided by the city.
Fourth-Your proposition must also give definite
proof OF financial ability This was required OF
MI Mcdonald before his contract made The
board would not, in my opinion, require that your
preliminary proposition be accompanied by the full
amount or security 10 be required the signing
Of the final agreement II your bid should be sue
cessfu But IL Is clear that before the board could
rightly incur the serious delay and the expense OF
The withdrawai Id Of the present plan and the prep
that such withdrawal Will not be futile and
serious hindrance 10 rapid transit. You should.
therefore, deposit under proper stipulation a
moderate amount be forfeited to the city FOR
the benefit Of the Brooklyn extension II the board
adopts your proposition and II thereafter you
should fail 10 provide bidder. I do not suggest
that the amount of such preliminary security be
with deposit of $4,000. / should not think
a smaller amount sufficient
The board will meet on Thursday at ..
m II you Will then. at early day, submit
your proposition in precise form have suggest
ed. and make such deposit with the Controller
OF the city, under a stipulation to be approved by
approval OF the Municipal Assembly. TO withdraw
the nresent application and it's amendment TO In
clude the additional route suggested by you.
/ am bound add that the board cannot, as you
doubtless understand. make any contract except
after public advertisement and after an entirely
fair, open and equal opportunity TO all bidders
This opportunity was required in the Manhattan
and Bronx II is required by law. and IL Is
beg 10 request from you answer at your
earliest convenience.
Mr.. johnson is staying at the Waldorf As
toria. He out when a reporter called there
last evening. and had not returned at a late
Controller Coler.
LULL IN BLACK ROCK CONTEST.