New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-11
NEW RAPID TRANSIT BILL.
Essential Features Of White and
ELbe~g Measures Combined.

Albany. March e-rae senate Cities COMMITTEE,
to-day took Up the question of rapid transit legis-
latou for N-w-York City. and decided 70 make a
new BIN. which viii combine all the essential feat
ures Of the FIsherr bill and Senator Whites several
rapid transit bills
The essential feature OF The EIsberg bin is its
provision fer short term leases 90 the subway sys-
TEN extensions and the careful safeguarding Of
the contracts. The White bills according 20 state
ments given out by the Rapid Transit Comms-
sion ar she -irre OF taeir introduction abolish the
limit of 100000. with Its contingent provisions
FOR an additional 100000. on the amount Of bonds
aUthorizol be issued for rapid transit construc-
zion. end 20 substitute power IN the Board Of
Estimate and Apporuonuent. the present local au-
thorty having power to make appropriations. to
FIX such limits.
One OF the bills provides for several detailed
changes Of the original act which the Rapid Tran
SIT Commission believes are in the interest Of the
public. one change puts beyond doubt the right
TO lay out a rapid transit route over bridges and
viaducts. Another provides for change Of cectri-
cal subways or Co1duits from street TO another
with the consent Of their owners and lessees This
change would not give any new right to the owners
OF any subway conduit. but transfers this right
from one street TO another in a where the
transfer would serve rapid transit convenience SIN
another provides for the assent OF the Commission
ers OF the Sinking Fund, instead OF the Board OF
Estimate and AppOrti0umeut. to any sale of prop
erty he'd by the city for rapid transit purposes.
Another Is made In order facilitate the acqulsi
ton b. the city OF easements for rapid transit pUr
poses.
The concluding amendment authorizes the neces-
sary occupation OF short spaces OF streets during
the building Of railroads.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Guy said to-day
OF the bill:
I am informed that the Senate Committee
on Affairs of Cities has decided to report for
printing bin Incorporating ali the features Of the
various rapid transit bills or course / cannot
judge OF The bill until II in uIiLteI form, bat
the position OF The city admins .raU11 on the rapid
transit question IS that all future developments Of
the underground system OF rapid transit should be
subject 10 the approval and final determination Of
the Board of Estimate and AppOruonment. not
merely As TO amount OF money That shall be eE-
pended from the treasury at any one time, hut
also as 90 the plans for such extensions Of route
or new underground routes.
This is matter OF vast concern 10 the city. IN
volNIuE many millions of dollars which should 20
into tho city treasury, and important property in
te-ests OF citizens No indeIen dent commission
should have final power over the questions In
volred. but such powers should be vested in the
chief executive officers of the city. namely, the
Board Of Estimate and App0rti0nmeUJ and the
Mayor. As o the other details OF the bill, shall
probably receive Instructions 10 the Mayors
views when tha bin comes up FOR consideration.