New-York tribune., 1903-02-28
CIRCUIT WANTS RIV4LRY.
Belmont Would Not Stand IN Way
of Cfy O7cne1shiD.

Controller Grout will at next Thursdays
| meeting OF the Rapid Transit Commission in
| troduCe rCeoluton instructng Chief Engineer
William Barclay Parsons to furnish an alterna-
tive plan for the proposed new East Side tunnel
projected in Lexington-ave Instead of having
the tunnel join the main subway al Fortieth-st
| and Park-ave-, under this plan it would go from
Yonkers to Coney Island
1t is clearly evident said Controller Grout
yesterday to a Tribune reporter that the best
interests of the public will not he conserved by
having the control of the subways of this city
wholly in one company 1 aware of the fact
that President Orr thinks that one system
should control. that free transfers may be
had all over the city. At the same time do not
believe it to be good public policy to have the
control so centralized. The Belmont Nc Donald
syndicate is the greatest municipal transporta- =
tion monopoly in this country to-day.
Chief Englreer Parsons has submitted COM
prehensve plan for subway extensions. 1t is
now under discussion. and subject to amend
ment in the judgment of the commission 1
consider it to be in the interest of the public
that should have an independent road from
Yonkers to Coney Island. so that it can be oper-
ated independently. This would afford healthy
rivalry between the operators OF the subway
now building and the newer independent one.
AS soon as the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany appeared in the field as a bidder for the
Brooklyn extension the Interborough Rapid
Transit Company saw that it's interests de-
manded that Vt submit low bid. This it did.
and the city saved $6000000 If the Belmont
people can underbid others for new indie
pendent system, we'll ana good That is their
privilege But it seems to me to be bad public
policy to go building subways that only
extensions and additions to the Belmont lines.
thus making conditions that are practically pro-
hibitive of competition in building and oper-
ating. a new East Side line could he built
either down Lexington, Third, Second First
ave. and continue to Brooklyn. l understand
that Mr. Parsons's Brooklyn plans include a
new tunnel to Brooklyn The new tunnel should
be built as a part of the East Side line
When asked about r. Fulton Cuttings sug-
gestion with reference TO the city acquiring the
lease of the subways held by the Inter
borough Rapid Transit COMPANY. Mr.. Grout
said:
What inconceivable folly It would be for the
city to buy back in 1903 contract made in
1900 before any knowledge is obtainable as to
the value of the contract! Not car has been
run in the subways yet. How does any
know that it would he wise for the city to ac-
quire the lease? 1t is pig in poke now What
woul' ~ailroad men say of company that sold
a privilege, and before any information was
obtained about the value of the privilege bought
it back at an advance of millions of dollars?
Mr. Cuttings other suggestion. as contained in
his rapid transit bill. for the separation of the
construction and operation of the subways is
excellent
August Belmont declined to discuss at length
yesterday the rapid transit situation but said
Il have comment to make about the pro-
posed plans discussed at the meeting of the
Rapid Transit Board on Thursday. What I was
quoted as saying on that day was just as much
in the interest of the municipality as in the
interest of the Interborough company. and I
am willing to wait for the future to prove the
correctness of this statement.
$50 far as the suggested municipal ownership
by purchase is concerned. if any serious public
demand for it arose l certainly would not
stand I'm the way