New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-20
CONFERRED ON TRACTION.
POLITICS AND SUBWAYS.
Belmont and Whitney Talked Com
munity of Interest" ," IT'S Said.

A Community Of interest arrangement be-
tween the Metropolitan and the Belmont inter
ests is looked for a result OF -four hour con-
ference between August Belmont and Harry
Payne Whitney yesterday. The news did not
reach Wall Street until late in the afternoon,
and when 1t did IT created no end Of comment
The retirement Of Mr.. Belmont from the Big
Four delegation TO the Democratic National
Convention is interpreted among the Tammany
men as proof that Charles F. Murphy objected
to Mr.. Belmont in that capacity. At the same
time the placing Of Mr.. Whitney IN the delega-
ton as an alternate-at-large indicates that the
Murphy men were willing to go cut of their way
to honor the son Of the man who, while living,
was known as "the boss of the boss OF Tammany
Hall"
People on the inside know perfectly well that
local Democratic politics and subway interests,
both present and prospective. are closely con-
nected Mr. Belmont is the proprietor OF the
tunnel system soon TO be opened and he wants
another somewhat like it, The Rapid Transit
Commission is soon going to authorize new
subway Mayor Mcclellan soon will sign the
bill making the way clear for the new tunnel
contract The whitney-Ryan interests are de-
termined TO get the contract for the new tunnel
The last named interests have an understanding
with Charles F. Murphy and other influential
men in Tammany Hall. Any contract or route
tentatively awarded BY the Rapid Transit Com
mission and the Board Of Estimate and Appor-
tionment must have the favorable action of the
Board of Aldermen. Charles F. Murphy controls
the board.
When Mr. Belmont. IN the interest Of "har-
mony," voluntarily tired from the Big -Four
delegation in favor Of George Ehret. the brewer.
# meant that it was considered wholesome by
the Hill-Parker men and the financial ramifca-
tions that they represent not to provoke Tam
many to the point OF revenge. Murphy. through
Mauriea Featherson and James J. Martin. inti-
mated to Ex-Governor Hill that IT would be bet
ter for the Parker interests n Mr.. Belmont
should retire in favor OF Mr. Ehret- He did So
1t is no secret among the Democratic leaders
that Judge Parker wanted him to be one OF the
deIegates-at-1arge. and that If Mr.. Belmont had
insisted he might have remained as one or
the delegation. Mr.. Belmont is conciiiatory IN
his methods however. and assented to the er-
facement Of himself temporarily 20 placate
Murphy
When the 9:25 a m Western express LEFT Al
bany YESTERDAY two of the passengers were
August Belmont and Harry Payne Whitney
They had been up late the night before at the
convention but To talk things over they got up
fairly early and together took the train for this
city. They had the smoking compartment OF
the buffet car all 10 themselves from Albany
down. and in the whole Of the four hour ride
they were in earnest consultation
According TO mutual friends I'm Wall street,
Mr. Belmont told Mr.. Whitney that 1t would be
wisdom on the part of the Metropolitan inter-
ests to plan their proposed subway, assuming
that they received the contract. so that 1t would
complement the Belmont system, thus fac1litat-
ing a future amalgdmation OF the two systems
community OF interest" lines
1t was impossible last night TO CCrrobOrate the
? story that any such arrangement was proposed
by Mr.. Belmont II was admitted that rather
strong deduction could be made from the fact
that Mt Belmont and Mr.. Whitney were to-
gether for so long time Surface railway men
are confident that al the street railway inter
/ acknowledgement surface and elevdted-ln this
city will be consolidated within three years, and
perhaps sooner than that II the Parsons plan
/ for connecting the bridges is adopted and
financed. Mr.. Belmont and his associates con-
troll the Queens Borough trolley system. along
with a franchise for tunnel under the
East River at FOrty-SeCond-st. The Belmont
people do not want the Metropolitan surface
system, however. unless that company should
succeed in getting the contract for n new sub
way. In that case. the Metropolitan would have
ample chance for expansion in The Bronx where
II controls the Union Railway franchises. and
its earning capacity would be greatly enlarged.