New-York tribune., 1903-04-14
TO DROP BOSTWICK BILL.
No More Tunnel Contracts To Be
Let This Year.

Mayor Low yesterday decided that. on ac-
count of the hostility to the Bostwick RAPID
Transit bill and the need of more time to dis
cuss the city's transit needs. he would not urge
any rapid transit legislation.
The Mayor indicated in an interview with
Tribune reporter that no more contracts Ior
tunnels will be let this year
Senator Elsberg, who introduced the Cllzehs
Union bill providing for 2 three-cent fare and
operatior of an independent subway system on
a short term contract told ex-senator Ford that
his bill would be passed this week Mr.. fora
predicts that if it is passed the mayor WIZ
sign it. although it may not meet his views as
nearly as did the Bostwick bill after the Mayor
had amended it.
.Wiu there be a compromise on the Bostwlch
and Elsberg bills. so that only one Dill VIII "e
introduced?' the Mayor was asked
.ssfv idea" replied Mr.. Low. "is that the pest
solution of the question now is to have no legis-
lstion at all but to wait year, just as we dld
after rhe tunnel accident suggested necessary
;ronroveuents in the New-York Centrals ter
r,ina1 Bv waiting a year we can have sum
cien+ time TO discuss rapid transit plans' anu
determine what is best to he done in the way OF
legislation
IT will he remembered that on account of the
tunnel accident a bill was sent to Albany oe-
signed 70 enable the New-York Central to make
necessary improvements in its terminal a Dill
framed At that time was afterward withdrawn.
because it was found to be too broad IN It's
some and too extensive in the powers it gave TO
+,o oononanv After its withdrawal we had suf-
ecian. time TO determine just what the physical
needs of the situation were. AS a consequence
more rerfect bill was drafted. which IS now
before the legislature"
Have you advised Mr. BostWlck with regard
TO your views?
It saw Mr.. Bostwick this morning. said the
Navor. "and We came TO the conclusion that 1t
was best for the city to allow the so-called
Bostwick bill and other rapid transit measures
TO remain in statu quo"
Then will the Bostwick bill be withdrawn?
mo. it will not he withdrawn. but it will not
be pressed
Then the city will not be enabled to award
any contracts for tunnels within the next
year,
THE rapid transit law replied the Mayor,
allows expenditures for tunnel construction up
TO S55,O00O00. There is still leeway Of about
S120000G0 I understand. Generally speaking
I do not believe it will be wise for the city to
udertake any very extensive new contracts. AS
I already have stated, it will need the re-
mainder of the year to determine just what is
needed. The process OF. letting q contract is a
tedious one. as all such matters have to go 10
the Board of Estimate and Apportionment and
then to the Board Of Aldermen for approval
The effect of the Mayors decision, provided
the legislature takes the same view, will he tc
delay the comprehensive plans arranged by
Chief Engineer Parsons. Mr.. Parsons's plans for
Manhattan alone call for an expenditure OF
more than S50O00O00. If further latitude is
| allowed to the Rapid Transit Commission, II
! may have a detrimental bearing on the com
! Lletion of the City Hall and Bridge station Of
/ the subway. John B. Mcdonald has not heer
! able TO push the work as fast as he wanted TO
| as Chief Engineer Parsons was not able 70 de
| eide what he would do about subway connec
| tions for the Brooklyn Manhattan and Will
/ iamsburg bridges. He viii now have to g(
/ ahead and build some sort of station at the
/ end of the Brooklyn Bridge without reference
| to future subways-