New-York tribune., 1902-04-11
THE PENNSYLVANIA BILL.

A. tho hearing Yesterday before the Mayor on
the PENNSYLVANIA tunnel bill its opponents did
NOT present strong case. The chief objections
which they raised were that the Rapid Transit
Commission is a self-perpetuating body whose
activities ought 10 he abridged rather than en-
1arced and that perpetual franchises are harm
full and improper With respect TO the nfSt oil
these objections it seems sufficient to say that
it does not so much embody an argument as
represent state of mind. There is no evidence
that the commission is distrusted by the pubic
nor any reason why it should he. 1t has labored
faithfully and effectively for the city during the
last seven or eight years. and is steadily ac-
cumulating knowledge and experience which IL
would be foolish not TO utilize in years to come
We do not believe that anybody really REGARDS
its possession of authority to superintend future
operations of the sort which it is now conduct
ing as menace to the general welfare or lm-
AGNES that its prospective relations TO the
PENNSYLVANIA enterprise will be harmful TO any
legitimate interest What was said yesterday
on this point produced an impression of artificl-
ality, as if those who used the argument were
merely introducing ii for what ii was worth
and knew at the time that it was worth nothing
at all.
Opposition TO the granting Of perpetual fran
chises when sincerely urged, it presumably
was yesterday, is always entitled 10 respectful
attention: but in this instance we think that 1t
is the letter of the policy declared in the char
ter rather than the substance for which the
opponents of the Pennsylvania project are con-
tending. They must know, though they seem
unwilling TO acknowledge the fact that the pro-
vision for revaluation Of the proposed fran
chise at intervals of twenty-five years creates
q wide difference between the grant which the
bill under consideration authorizes and others
foolishly made in the past. Indeed, it leaves
the city's interests practically unimpaired; for
it is obvious that the Pennsylvania company
could never afford to let itself be ousted by a
competitor, having once made the enormous In
vestment which it contemplates. while from the
nature of the case it is inconceiyable that the
city should ever wish to take over tunnels con-
structed by the company and valueless without
the connections which it supplied The com
pany seeks to acquire from the city nothing
which the city is now using or is likely to find
use for hereafter.
There is another point which the opposition is
constantly suggesting. but from which it con-
stantly has to run away. The bill in no sense
violates the principle of home rule. 1t is per
| missve not mandatory, and the amendment re-
| lating TO the Rapid Transit Commission is in
/ that respect an added restriction The local
thorities have full power to refuse the fran
| chise or if they choose 10 grant 1t, TO fix such
/ terms as they deem suitable. Thus the safe
| guards established in the interest of the city
| are ample, provided the servants of the city are
wise and faithful Finally. the enterprise in
| which a great corporation is ready to embark
| is one which by common consent viii be of i'm
mense and increasing advantage to the public.