New-York tribune., 1902-07-25
ALDERMEN UNBENDING.
AN AMENDED 2. r. R. FRANCHISE
TO BE READY BY TUESDAY

Mayor Low said yesterday that he expected
that an amended Pennsylvania Railroad tunnel
contract would be his desk by Tuesday after
noon. 1t is understood that Tuesday Presi-
dent Cassatt Vice-President Green of the
Pennsylvania. President Orr of the Rapid Tran
sit Commission, and Borough President Cantor,
or some other representative of the Board CT
Aldermen, will confer over certain modifica-
tions of the contract.
President Cassatt did not see Mayor Low yes
terday. Mr.. Cassatt did not come to town.
The railroad will be represented by Vice-Presi-
dent Green in all conferences until Tuesday.
While it is believed that the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company would make some changes in
the proposed contract. to meet the objections of
President Cantor and the Board of Aldermen, no
oner in that direction will be made by the rail-
road company until the contract has been con-
sidered by the officers of the municipal govern
ment and the Rapid Transit Commission, and
plan satisfactory to them has been evolved.
Alexander Z. Orr, president of the Rapid
Transit Commission, was early caller at City
Hall yesterday. AS the Mayor had not
rived, Mr.. Orr left the City Hall without seeing
MI Low AT the meeting of the Rapid Transit
Commission, in the afternoon, the tunnel fran
chse was informally discussed by Mr.. Low and
Mr. Orr.
A b. Boardman. counsel for the Pennsylvania
Railroad. said that far as he was aware. no
new step had been taken by the railroad COM
pany, nor had any arrangement been made for
conference at the present time
"Of course at this time conference might
occur without me knowing anything about it,
said Mr.. Boardman. But there is reason for
a conference between the Pennsylvania people
ard the Rapid Transit Commission at the pres
ent stage.
Our position is lust this The proposed
franchise meets the approval of not only the
Rapid Transit Commission. but also the Mayor
end Controller, President Cantor and the Board
OF Aldermen not satisfied with il. Let the
Mayor and Controller. il they think the fran
chise is good thing for the city. do their best
10 reconcile the other members OF the admins
tration. There no notifications or changes
in the proposed franchise that could suggest or
think of at the present time"
Alderman Elias Goodman, who is a member
of the Committee on Railroads of the Board Of
Aldermen, said that ne had doubt the fran
chise would ultimately be passed by the board
Alderman Goodman of the few mem
bers of the board who voted in favor OF the
franchise.
THE unfavorable report Of the committee and
the action by the board, were undoubtedly due
largely to the talk in the newspapers about a
strike which made many members of the COM
mittee. as well the board feel indignant The
discussion of the franchise. which has occurred
since Tuesday has also helped 10 clear up many
points which before seemed OBSCURE ambigu-
ous and have reason to believe that many Of
the aldermen have experienced a change of
heart 1 believe the franchise will be passed
with few or no changes"
Alderman McInnes. vice-president Of the
board and leader of the majority. spoke in the
same vein