The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-11
TUNNEL FRANCHISE TO PASS,
hit TNLIkELY TO CONE BEFORE
ALDERMEN TO-DAY.
Special Committee Could Not ne Got
Together Yesterday. and In Doubt
~ Its Powers. Anyway-N the Vote
Thrre'll he Less Voting for Buncombe.

II j. doubtful il the Pennsylvania tunnel
franchise will come before the Aldermen
to-day even to be formally referred to the
Committee on Railroads.
The franchise. duly approved by the Rapid
Transit Commission and accepted by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, has been
forwarded to the clerk of the board, but
IL is Understood that when the matter is
introduced to-day either Alderman Walkley
or Alderman Longfellow will move that it
be tabled for week.
The reasons for this step will be twofold
A meeting OF the special committee APP
pointed by President Fornes 10 confer
with the Rapid Transit Commission and the
Pennsylvania directors was called for yes
terday afternoon by Borough President
Cantor, who Is one Of the committee. The
stated purpose of the meeting was 10 dis
c,iss finally the subject matter which will
be- contained in the maiorlty report. favor
ing the approval of the franchise, and in the
minority report, which, II IL understood
both FresidenI Cantor and Alderm an
Timothv T. sullivan are still resolved 10
sign, protesting against granting the fran
chise unless II contains the labor clauses.
Only two members of the conference
committee answered the call for the meet
ing yesterday. They were Aldermen Suli-
van and Waikley. After waiting for nearly
an hour they went in search Of "A third Mem
her to make up quorum. but they had
not come back mp TO the time Marty
Reese began TO turn OUT the lights of the
tIty Hall
President Cantor wen, West on pleasure
trip last Friday. Before he went he urged
Little Tim" sullivan 10 look after the
sl... re fa..g
coming to the knowledge of Alderman
Walkley, determined him TO hold back the
receiving OF the franchise for a week until
Mr. Cantor returns, 40 that he may make
his position clear and definite
That IL the first reason why the franchise
NAV nor be reported to-day. The second
is that the majority Of the committee are
in doubt as to whether II comes within
their province to make any recommended
tion regarding the present form of fran
chiSe The COMMITTEES was appointed to
DISCUSS the franchise which was rejece ed
last summer by the Aldermen. The terms
of the contract have since been modified
slightly.
But while vacilIation of one kind and
another NAV tend 10 delay the passage Of
the franchise. there II really no question
but that il will be approved within few
weeks. The majority OF the railroad com.
mittee will report favorably upon il and
many of the Aldermen who voted against
it before election. because Of the cianor
about the omission of the labor clauses.
are now prepared TO vote for II on the plea
that they will yield their objections to the
demand OF public opinion.
President Cantor and other leaders OF the
opposing side are we'll aware also that UNI
less the franchise is approved amends tory
legislation may take from the Aldermen
the little power they now have of passing
upon franchises.
August Belmont said yesterday that the
awards for the sub-contracts FOR the build
ing Of the new railroad TO BROOKLYN would
not be made for a few days yet.