New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-24
LEARNING WISDOM.

That the protests against the granting OF a
perpetual franchise for the croSstown branch
tunnel under Nnth-st. We're timely and judicious
is shown by the fact that the Rapid Transit
Commission has yielded TO them and stipulated
that the tunnel property may be taken over by
the city at an assessed valuation after twenty
five years. Thus the SiXthave. line and the
crosstown branch are put on the same satisfac
tory basis, excepting for a small space near the
river which is properly a terminal. This trans
action marks the progress which the city has
made within comparatively short period IN
dealing with the privileges which 1t has to be-
stow. Tine people do not need to be reminded
of the immensely valuable franchises which the
municipality has virtually given away in time
past The evidence Of such profiigacy aboundS
on every hand. 1t is safe to say that New-York
ought to be deriving from the multifarious
rights in the streets which it has surrendered
almost gTatuitouSly as fast as they were asked
for, a revenue large enough TO have made the
burdens Of government light.
OF course it would not be fair TO complain of
such losses without due consideration of the fact
that the use of all these franchises has con-
tributed greatly to that metropolitan develop
ment which permits terms favorable TO
the taxpayers to be exacted from the promoters
Of new enterprises AS they think of the vast
profits which the first subway is sure to produce
during long lease the people are naturally dis
posed TO regret the conditions of the contract
and the assertion is sometimes heard that if
the commission had shown sitter temper cap
ital would have adopted different attitude
without much longer delay. But it is easy to be
wise after the event. and it ought not to be for
gotten in this day Of eager competition for I'M
derground franchises that the commission long
searched in vain for men courageous enough to
accept what 1t had to offer, even on the terms
which now deemed too liberal. 1t is an I'M
denIable fact that the Manhattan and Metropo-
tan companies great corporations which were
avarfcious Of new privileges and could command
ample resources-abandOned negotiations which
they found they could not conclude to suit them
selves 1t is not improbable that If the commits
sion had held off year or two longer the eyes
Of capitalists would have been opened TO the
opportunity which was going begging; but many
years had already elapsed. the demand for ad-
ditional transportation facilities grew constantly
louder. and the commission was daily urged to
do something or else retire from the field
But even though the first subway contract
might have been more satisfactory to the tax
payers If it had been delayed a short time it
has led to clear comprehension of the value
Of similar franchises, imbuing the public and,
we think, the commission with determination
10 make good bargains hereafter The Sixth
ave. and Ninth-st tunnels agreeabIy illustrate
the new view which has come to prevail and If
may reasonably be hoped that a still more strik-
ing Illustration will result from the competitioD
Of the marlborough and Metropolitan comDanies
for the East Side subway which the commission
Is planning.