New-York tribune., 1903-02-26
CITY CONTROL OF ROAD.
4 R4PID TRANSIT BILL.
Ipporfam Changes Made for Future
Construction of Lines.

Albany. Feb. - (Special)--Senator ElsberS IN
troduced a bill to-day. sent TO him by the tiu-
zers Union and allied organizations in New
York. modifying materially the Rapid Transit
act The bill is of a volumnous nature, chang
ing many. sections Of the Rapid Transit act IN
explanation OF il Senator Elsberg said;
The Rapid Transit bill introduced by me IN III
no wav affects the existin: rapid transit "oIh @
or the provisions of the present Ia" VIZ VIZ ~
spect rc either the contract already ! II1Ie w -
railroad in process OF constr .l,iI, !, II,
merely gives broaded powers to the hdIIt -,
sit Commission with respect 10 'iit N-.e:. =;
construction and operation of RAPID uanSi' idli-
roads H. the future The bill in no wa! ChGisFs S
the constitution organization OF 'he i'ai'u
Transit Corrr1ission.
The enactment Of the bill would aid the Rapid
Transit Commission 10 carry out the I I1I SeI,o
ra1id transit programme more adNantaSeouSlg
to The ,itv for under il the commission Wouu
have ]: rser power and wider latitude IN lts
work
The iii EXPRESSLY provides that none of its
provisions shall affect in any way any ROAD con-
structed. constructing or contracted Tor previous
20 lis Tassage-
huilt and owned by the city must be handed over
TO private control. theoretically for not less than
- in the case of the road under construction.
irs own railroads is eliminated by separating the
construction contract from operation ard leaving
il now possesses to lay out and cons truct new
roads II The city's Expense The h tdas ; 10 iLs
ii the present law which requires a cash deposit
whatever bond the commission may require The
whole matter OF cash deposit is left 10 me IlS-
HE the letting Of contracts by sections and the
saving ia the future to the city OF mlillohs oi
dollars on construction work
The hill Hberalizes the provisions relaung 70
These adjuncts should form part OF every under
ground railroad additional source OF reNenue nue.
make adequate provision for them and their alb
sence from the road now under oonstrhcnoh Is
one Of its most lamentable features:
The Board Of Rapid Transit Railroad Commits,
--si[e c6rt-s+s Tor -i,er e1irTnent at private eH-
fense. and for their operation. for period not
exceeding twenty years: or il may equip them at
the expense Of the city and contract for their
operation for pe-iod not exceeding ten years
with renewals in either case such contTact
he Board Of Estimate and Apportionment To
5ae h9PIG transit "a ms 2oas + 5rectIT if no
other arrangement can advantageouslX be MADE
NeU--1ork charter already. and indeed the present
RAND Transit act grants such power 10 pe eA-
srcised in certain contingencies.
The changes viii insure that direct and eff
cient city control of the operation and of the
character OF the service CT future roads which Is
impossible under any contract that can be made
under the present law. The present under
ground road e.. the road being constructed
protected as II Is by contract from puDllc inter
ference in the manner and method Of operation
is even further removed from city control for
SeVent give years than are the metropolitan,
She Manhattan and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
roads. which are operated under franchises;
therefore, more subject TO public control
The short term contracts for operation and the
reserve power Of the Rapid Transit Commits
sion 10 operate the roads if necessary to pro-
Tect the public interests in case bids for prl-
vata operation should be eXtortionate. Will in
sure d proper degree Of public control at all
times and conserve 10 the public whatever ad-
vantages 10y way Of improved service and re-
duced fares the next half century of progress
may bring forth. instead of nlCrtgaging all those
advantages in advance to a private corporation
Tor seventy five years, as Is inevitable under
the present law.
The bill provides that the roads, matter by
cd hall Will
o,lt imposing a penny Of additional taxation.
Within this requirement. it has in contempla-
rion rate Of fare lower than five cents It
directs that the first reduction in fares shall be
in favor Of school children next for all the
public during rush hours" then for all the pub
lic except at night, lastly for all the public at
all times.
do rot think that this bill should be opposed
by any one certainly not by the Rapid Transit
Commission. the contractor for the present road
Who Is not afTeCted-Or the local authorities in
ferested in the securing Of proper rapid transit
facilities for the growing population OF New
York.
Ex-senator John Ford, of the Citizens Union
which stands sponsor for the Elsberg bill, said
The hili prevents the making over TO one
single combination Of an enormous privilege
and reserves il 10 the city permitting il 10
have in return for the expenditure Of its own
capital. control operation, service and fares
and the possibility Of conducting the traffic 1t
self If satisfactory arrangements cannot be
made with the people controlling the equip
lnent and operation Of the present subway
Every man woman and child having interest
IN the betterment Of conditions in New-1ork
CITY should urge the passage Of this bill