New-York tribune., 1901-04-16
RAPID TRANSIT COMPLICATIONS.

The president of the Rapid Transit Commits
sion has easily and satisfactorily answered the
three questions which Mr.. A L. Johnson asked
with reference to the pending amendments 10
the act Of 1894. Mr.. Johnson's manner was
serious to the verge of gloom as he propounded
his conundrums, and we hope he is correspond
ingly rejoiced 10 learn that his apprehensions
are unfounded. No job is In contemplation and
the proposed legislation contains no inadvertent
menace to the public welfare. In case any as
signment of the original contract or any part or
it is made, the security already given will re-
main in full force. Whatever titles in fee may
be obtained to property required for the equip
ment Of the underground road will be obtained
subject to the right of the city to purchase 1t at
the end of the lease Nor is there the slightest
mystery as to the main purpose OF the amend
ments Under the act it stands 1t is not clear
that n new corporation could contract with the
original franchise holder TO operate the road
that is TO saw there seems to be a discrimina-
tion In favor of existing railroad corporations,
which are few and likely TO become fewer.
Such discrimination might prove harmful TO
the city. and therefore the commission wisely
wishes TO have it removed. With these explana-
tions which Mr.. Orr has promptly supplied at
Mr. Johnson's request, intelligent citizens whose
only concern about the matter is to have the
rapid transit roads built and running as soon as
possible, will be entirely satisfied. Those who
want TO make trouble will not be so we'll
pleased.
AS one OF the commissions lawyers points
out there is considerable evidence TO show that
influences hostile to the enterprise are secretly
at work A proper and desirable change OF
route at Fort George. to which no objection hns
been made or can legitimately be made is still
Tho of fha Mnnip ira1 4
sembly. The Brooklyn extension plan. thor
oughly approved by the public after full discus
sion. makes no progress. The amendments to
the act under which the rapid transit work is
going on readily passed the Senate, but are
curiously delayed in the Assembly. A recent
effort at obstruction on the part of one of the
municipal departments suggestive of the
attitude which Tammany maintained so long in
defiance of public opinion expressly declared
al the polls in 1894. All these incidents are
yeXatious in themselves and productive of some
anxiety. 1t has seemed to us scarcely possible
that the opposition. in part ignorant and in part
selfish which had to be fought down would be
able to reassert itself. and there is in fact no
evidence of open antagonism excepting that
which Mr. Johnson so busily displays. But
there still appears TO be troublesome element
at work behind the scenes.
The legislature can safely accept IL as 1act
that the Rapid Transit Commission possesses
the confidence of this community. Mr.. Orr and
his colleagues served New-York faithfully and
sacaciously in the face of manifold discourage
ments during a succession Of years in which
nearly everybody else lost hope. There is no
reason to fear that the work now in progress
will be brought TO halt but there is posi-
bility that 1t may be delayed and that the final
result may he rendered less completely advan-
tageous to the city than 1t ought to he by such
imperfections in the law as the legislature now
hesitates to cure. In that case there will be
little difficulty. we think. in placing the respon-
sibility where it belongs. Nor is it safe to as
sulne that questions relating to the operation Of
the underground roads can be postponed as well
as not for a year or two. SO long as they are
left unsettled they are likely to encourage mis-
chieyous calculations and combinations and be-
come a source Of embarrassment.