New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-14
OBJECTS TO DECORATIONS.
AUGUST BELMONT SAYS MDONALD'S
SCHEME ALMOST INTERPRETERS WITH
ADVERTISING PRIVILEGE.

At a meeting of the Rapid Transit CommlS-
sion yesterday a letter received from President
August Belmont of the Rapid Transit Subway
Construction Company pointed out that the es-
innate made by John B. Mcdonald. the con-
tractor, for decorations of stations was far TOO
low. He also objected to the decorative treat
ment OF the stations. and said
AT the same time think II both wrong and
unjust that the treatment should be made
almost an interference with our advertising
privilege, which is both a source Of revenue and
a business entertainment for the public who are
not in active business stations, given to admir-
ing decorations. think we have just cause for
compensation"
The committee appointed to meet the trustees
OF the estate of William Aston and the tenants
and sub tenants OF the property at the north
east corner OF Forty -second-st- and Broadway.
and try 70 arrange for n right Of way for the
subway at that point. reported that the demands
made were exorbitant and were refused.
The committee recommended the payment Of a
years rental to each sub-tenant plus n sum
for moving 10 and from the premises. The sum
IN the aggregate recommended 20 be paid was
$4,000 the tenants TO move back about No
vember 1. 1903.
The franchise for the Pennsylvania tunnel was
ordered sent to the Board Of Aldermen. A COM
munication accompanying it said in part:
difference has arisen over the proposition TO insert
IN the cer5llcae% of comnensation FOR
labor. The applicant company. IN a comnuilica-
sGs has esu aesn The TO IS Of the opinion
their insertion would practically add notning 20
employed upon the proposed work The advantage
been approved by so overwhelming a public senti-
ment. and the direct advantage TO the la9oring
mer Of the city of its prompt commencement, and
the far longer Indirect ADVANTAGE Of It's early com.
pour honoTabe Body viii feel able to give
approval
Fire Commissioner Sturgis in a communica-
ton called attention to the report Of the Fire
Marshal on THE Times" Building fire. in which
it was asserted that the fire originated in the
subway from the "sputtering of gasolene
lamp. Reports also read from subway en-
ployes. of which was by Albert Carr. engl-
neer in charge of the first division OF the sub
way. He found evidences of smoke in the sub
way but none of fire. and reported that he be-
leved the fire did not start in the subway. On
motion Of Mayor Low this report was referred
TO the Fire Commissioner.
Toward the close of the meeting President Orr
discovered memoranda referring to certain land
near the Postoffice on the east side, which
! the commission had experienced trouble with
! the federal government. In digging for the tun-
nei on the north side of the PoStOffice, and work.
! ing toward Broadway the contractor in
J touch with vaults beneath the Postohice. II
/ was necessary to use a part of the land occu-
! pied by the vaults, and application made
| to the Secretary of the Treasury About that
! time Secretary Gage resigned. and the subject
! his engineer to make a report the subject
! The engineer reported adversely to granting the
! desired permission, and Secretary Shaw ap-
! proved the finding of his engineer. So the sub
| iect stands now. The peculiar part of the affair
! is, according to President Orr that the govern
! ment was not aware the land desired belonged
! 20 II until survey made by the Rapid Transit
! Commission disclosed this fact.
/ After members of the commission had shown
! they thought the behavior Of the Treasury De-
! partment open TO criticism. it decided to let
! the subject rest until the next session Of Con-
gress.