New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-27
ORR DEFENDS FRANCHISE,
Not Complete TIL aldermen and
MaYOr 4pprOUe 1t.

The Rapid Transit Commission, which re-
Gently granted franchise for a connection be-
tween the Long Island Railroad Qeased by the
Pennsylvania at Ridgewood and the New-YOrk
New-Haven and Hartford Railroad tracks at
Mott Haven, has sent letter to the Board of
Aldermen urging it 10 consent to the granting of
the franchise. which is now to come before that
body for its consideration. If the Board of
Aldermen refuses its consent the franchise fails
to become operative. If it gives it's consent the
franchise then comes before the Mayor for his
approval Should he veto it. it may be passed
over his veto by the customary majority in the
board
The Rapid Transit Board believes that the
tension of the railroads and the connection Of
two large systems will be of great benefit in
building up the open country through which the
route lies.
Alexander e Orr, president Of the Rapid
Transit Commission speaking to a Tribune re-
porter last night. corrected some impressions
that have got abroad regarding the franchise.
In the first place" he said. this franchise
was not granted under any new powers of the
board given by the recent enabling act extend
ing powers, which was passed by the last
legislature. BY that legislation asked to be
be spent in this work. and to have the de
termination of the amount placed in the hands
of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment.
We also asked the legislature to give the
same power TO lay railroads over bridges
had to lay them in tunnels under the river
THE franchise for the connecting link between
Bushwick and Mott Haven was granted unde~
Section 30 of the original Rapid Transit act.
which gave us power to grant franchises for the
extension OF any railroad tracks already in the
city.
LAS TO criticisms that the considera ton for
the franchise merely nominal the tracks are
all to be laid on private right of way, except
at such points where they will cross streets. The
city does not these streets but only ease
ments on them. For the privilege of using these
easements we have placed tax them OF five
cents foot for each track for the entire mileage
within the limits of the franchise. AS there will
be about eight miles. this will not be an inconsid-
cradle sum
In addition 10 that we have stipulated that
this franchise tax shall be TeadjuSted every
twenty-five years TO meet the increase In it's
value. We have stipulated that when the city
so as to make necessary the cutting through Of
more streets, the railroad company shall carry
the streets under their tracks free of charge.
Furthermore. il has been stipulated that when
the growth of the city makes steam power OBJ
jeCtionabe the railroad shall substitute what
ever seems best suited to the conditions at such
a time.
AS for the franchise over tho water Il not
being clear whether the city has any rights in
the matter. merely nominal tax was decided
on, only for the purpose of protecting any rights
that might be established in the future This
is the same done with the Pennsylvania
Railroad for the right 10 tunnel under the half
OF the North River on the New-York side.