New-York tribune., 1902-07-03
THE PENNSYLVANIA TUNNEL.

II has bner ranorted that the Board OF Alder
men was inclined to hold up the pennsylvania
Railroad tunnel franchise by way OF indicating
its stern disapproyal of the powers conferred
on tbe Rapid Transit Commission in the act re-
latiny to that undertaking and of the manner
in which they have been exercised. But If the
Aldermen have seriously considered the adYlsa-
bility of such Il proceeding, their action IN re-
ferring the franchise to the Committee on Rail
roads would seem TO show that they are not
disposed TO declare war just yet, though prob
ably not reconciled 10 the situation; fer the
committee can hardly be expected to report be-
fore next week, when the board will adjourn
for the summer vacation, and if no vote is taken
prior to adjournment the Mayor will soon gain
full and final control of it, under the provision
Of the charter which limits the authority of the
aldermen in such cases to period of six weeks
after favorable action by the Board of Esti-
mate and Apportionment If, therefore, the
aldermen choose to abdicate their functions
and to consider that course a protest no par
ticular harm will be done, though the commu-
nifty would rather have seen them give their
approval to an excellent arrangement
If the aldermen had decided to fight the fran
chise they would doubtless have cOntended that
it conferred great privileges for an inadequate
compensation, and therefore q bad bargain
for the city. But that is not the fact, and at
tempts to make it appear to be the fact have
failed. The Pennsylvania company has shown
entire good faith in the matter from the outset
Its responsible officers did not pretend that
they were actuated by any other motive than
self-interest, while clearly pointing out the ad-
vantages which the public would derive from
the execution of their plans. They made no
effort to influence legislation at Albany. and
when the time for negotiation with the Rapid
Transit Commission arrived they did not adopt
haggliDg tactics but promptly agreed to terms
which seemed fair to men as capable and
straightforward as themselves. The result is a
considerable revenue to the city from be-
stowal of rights which involves no present or
prospective sacrifice on the part of the people.
It.is true that the franchise is granted in per-
petuity but that was a condition essential to
| the carrying out of the scheme. Obviously the
company could not afford to acquire at great
expense facilities of which it might be deprived
at some future time, perhaps capriciously or
under the pressure of improper influences. But,
though perpetual, this franchise differs radical
| ly from such perpetual franchises as have been
| unwisely bestowed in the past and as the char
ter fOrbids for the future In the first place the
compensation is to be readiusted at compara-
lively frequent intervals, so that the grant
might be described renewable on terms satis-
| factory to the city rather than as permanent.
| In the second place, it gives the company pos
| session of nothing which the city has used or
| was ever likely to use. There is, consequently,
| no loss of convenience or of potential money
value to be reckoned as an offset to the benefits
| which are expected TO result from the opera
ton of the tunnel. The franchise is not an
| alienation of public resources
These considerations have been fully and re-
peatedly set forth, and we should not have
| thought il worth while to state them again ex-
cept for the possibility that the Board of Alder
| men may yet find itself incapable of resisting
| the temptation to delay the beginning Of work
on the tunnel by an adverse vote 1t has al
ready manifested its jealousy of the Rapid
Transit Commission on more than one occasion,
and perhaps is sorely tempted to do so now,
| though we much prefer TO assume that ma
| jOrity of its members are not so destitute of
sense and public spirit as their Obstructing of
| this enterprise would prove them to be.