New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-14
TO SUCCEED ". B. PARSONS
@. S. RICE TO HAVE PLACE.
R. Z. Commission to ASk for Amend
ments- s-Mc4d0O Tunnel FarOred.

George S. Rice is to be the new chief en-
gneer of the Rapid Transit Commission, to sue
ceed William Barclay Parsons. who has resigned
the place Mr.. Parsons is 10 be consulting en-
gneer OF the commission. President Orr sug
gested at the last meeting OF the commission
that Mr.. ParsOns's services be retained by the
commission in an advisory capacity. The pro-
priety of appointing Mr.. Rice TO the place OF
chief was discussed yesterday by the commit
tee on contracts, ana it was the understanding
afterward that Mr.. Rice will be formally ap-
pointed Mr.. Parsons successor at the meet
ing tomorrow
Mr.. Rice has grown into the place. and the
Rapid Transit Commissioners have the great
est confidence in mis- ability. While Mr.. Par
sons has been out of town and in Europe IN
the last year or two. the work has gone on
smoothly under the direction of Mr.. Rice
Another important matter discussed yester-
day by the committee on contracts was the
proposed Sixth-ave. tunnel franchise for
which is desired by the New-Yorll and Jersey
Tunnel Company. 1t is understood that the
contract committee Will recommend to the COM
mission that William G. McAdoos application
for permanent franchise for tunnel from
the Christopher-st. terminal to Herald Square
be granted. Controller Grout has been opposed
TO giving this franchise, preferring a Crosstown
tunnel to Cooper Square. The McAdoo people
offer to build the tunnel with their own money
and pay a rental for 1t afterward. The tunnel
will be forty feet under the surface and there
will be no surface excavation. When done the
tunnel will afford quick transit between Jer-
sey City points, the drygoods district and the
theatre district Herald Square
1t was learned yesterday that important legis-
lation will be asked of the legislature this year
by the Rapid Transit Commission. Albert B.
Boardman and George L. Rives, counsel to the
commission. will report TO the commission on
the legislation desired. 1t is understood that
amendments will be sent to the legislature COW
ering the following points:
Wiping out the exemption from taxation of
Reducing the $1,000. 900 cash deposit now re-
quired. and making IT necessary for the con-
tracing company to deposit not less than 10 per
cent of the cost of the work
Wtpng out the thirty-five-year minimum
rental term and leaving il discretionary with
the commission TO make the term as short as
possible.
The reduction of the 81 100000 cash deposit
requirement is called for. say the commission
ers. because in building extensions 1t will be
almost impossible TO get a favorable bid il the
law stands as at present. II the extension should
happen 10 be a little the 81 900 900 cash de-
post would be out of all proportion to the cost
or the work. The amendment proposed would
aHofd Sufncient guaranty, and at the same
time facilitate bidding
The thirty-fve-y minimum rental clause is
looked upon in the commission as a hindrance
rather than a help now, for the reason that
with the shares of the Interborough ComDynv AT
about $50, subway franchises are more attrscti,a
propositions than they were. and the commits
sion desires to make the franchise operating
term short POSSIBLE
a separate bill providing for pine ga IIeries in
future tunnels will be sent to Albany