New-York tribune., 1903-02-17
TO ABOLISH BOARD
CITI'S RAPID TRANSIT.
Grout Fduors Municipai Control of
Sub5cay Construction.
Inv TELEGRAPH TO TIRE rRrRUxE.l

Albany Feb. Ex-senator Wagner. Democrat
viii introduce a bill tomorrow abolishing the
present Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners
Of New York and authorizing the appointment
Of members of the Rapid Transit Commission by
the Mayor The present Rapid Transit Comnis-
sioners, according to report are retained in
office hy the bill until January next. They are
70 he succeeded by six commissioners appointed
by the Mayor, who is TO be member of The
commission, with the Controller and the presi-
dent Of the Chamber Of Commerce
Senator Wagner said the bill was sent to him
for introduction by Controller Grout and MADE
the following statement:
While considerable number Of bills Grawn in
the office of the city Controller before
Tho Legislature, including the sinking fund re
lief plan measure, all OF which so far nave re-
ceived The direct approval of the Mayor an"
others responsible for the present city admins
iration. ! informed by the Controller that the
Rapid Transit bill has not, as yet, been presented
for Endorsement TO the city authorities, ana 10
that extent differs from other legislation Of the
Controller here l am informed. however,
that :he changes proposed are widely desired
and that the bill Will receive very general ap-
proyai.
The Rapid Transit law, as amended by Mr.
CIRCUITS bill, provides:
First-For the appointment Of members Of the
RAND Transit Commission by the Mayor, thus
hanging it from State 10 municipal commls-
econd-It permits the Rapid Transit Commission
20 separste the functions of construction Inalnten
nee and operation in the work upon future rapid
transit extension allowing the commission 10 pro-
1ide if IN its discretion the public interest shall
Justify the provision. that the construction OF such
railway or ranways shall be separate ana apart
from its or their equipment. maintenance ana
ororsrion or that the construction and equipment
Ina aneration or that the equipment shall be
separate and apart from the construction ana from
Thf~dEIt provides for the repeal Of the inquitous
~ exen1pfion clause. making THIS clause map
1Iicabie TO all future extension OF rapid transit
Accompanying the bill. Mr.. Grout has sent
me a copy Of letter addressed ny MIN MN uI7tfe !rl
date Of Nay 1c. 1902, to Andrew H Green ms
II 11eth clearly outlines the reason for the
,.bsnges now proposed, and in part reads as
follows:
% 6p3 T674y H6aI55e df U some m in imperial government
nut utterly at variance with the AneI1can system m
II is dearly intention of the constitution OF the
state that city officers should be elected by the
lectors Of the city or appointed by the local au-
was thought unworthy or incapable OF conducuIs
iITdertool TO create for the city commission 10
l.erforrn duties which legitlnateiy belong 10 CITY
In the thorough remodeuing of this law which is
exemption from taxation should be ended; It Is A
thing which in all governments SINCE tne & Gay t
hateful and which should never have place or eN-
Bn1 would 20 further and say that the con, con;
- @ =. m . @lJ cpIre-t % f1I+ siVrsys separatey
and with power in the city either to construct or
Ras' ~ are informed. sublet in sections, with
profit said 80 be 5000 which VII VII go l4F % lomSrq 49,
rroftsihle railways in the world There were nllt
rra real aud responsible bidders, and they the
representatives Of great sEndicates-so enormous
Vs. the scope and responsibility OF the contTdcd-
iga6 rhc contract been for construction alone
divided into sections. the bidders would nave bee
rr.41- md city could have saved the millions
know is the fashion 10 speak of this SUBWAY
zS an instance % municipal ownership. 1t may
h. such generations hence To-day II Is mere
iy a lending Of municipal credit with exeinp-
ion from taxation for the benefit OF individuals
lEuuieipal ownership means something moro than
naked ownership. 1t means ownership Tor the
benefit Of the city, not for the beneht OF great
-arDnrari.u. And whenever municipal ownership
IS ir7Yrz ctiCa hle then only recourse for the
raaple Is in the taxation Of franchises Here both
-ar7aad5eS taken from The city cannot
renefcially for fifty years. neither can IL tax
n7 sllis too al the when the doctrine OF the
rzysrior Of franchises equally with other prop
cr-~ for the first time in the history OF the
sSr4rs thoroughly established