New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-02
RAP RAPIDTRANSIT BOARD
HEARING IN ALBANY.
CitizenS Union and Central FEEDER
ated Union FaUor Elsberg Bill.
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Albany March The Citizens Union and
the Central Federated Union appeared before
the Senate Cities Committee to-day 10 urge the
passage of the Elsberg Rapid Transit bill As
a result OF their arguments the Rapid Transit
Committee will be asked to declare its attitude
on the measure. and suggest any amendments
or changes it may wish With these changes
the bill seems likely TO be reported at once.
The immense profit cleared by John B. Nc
Donald and his associates in the construction
Of the present subway furnished the basis OF
the argument in favor OF the Elsberg bill. Ex-
Senator John Ford made the principal appeal
for the passage OF the bill He declared that
no other people in the world would put up with
the traffic situation existing IN New-YOrk City
protesting that the present elevated and surface
roads OF the city could not give adequate transit
facilities during the rush hours. even IL they
desired to do so. and that In other hours they
did not try TO. He dwelt on what he regarded
the failure OF the Rapid Transit Commission
TO solve the problem. declaring that the beard
had given the Belmont syndicate a franchise
practically seventy-hve years long. exempted Il
from taxation. given It $35.O0O. 900 70 build the
subway and then protected II from damage
suits. He asserted that New-York would need
n new subway every four years. and that H H
Vreeland had declared the present subway
would give no relief and that William Barclay
Parsons had estimated that IL would afford
but twenty-four hours Of relief.
Ex-senator Ford made his principal argument
on the short term lease. and the separation OF
the contract for construction from that for
operation. the two most important features OF
this Elsberg bill. He asserted that John b.
Mcdonald had received $50 10000 for the con-
stTuctiOn and then subleu II for S21, 100000.
clearing enough 10 equip the road, and on this
fact he urged the advantages OF the twenty-year
contract where the same contractor built and
operated the subway. and a teI-year contract
where the operating company was not the con-
structing company.
John De Witt Warner on behalf OF the Citi-
zens Union. followed ex-senator Ford. In the
course Of his remarks he said:
Il do not mean 70 criticise the Mcdonald
people. but think ought TO learn by that
experience. They took their gamble and they
won their pile. We played the game, ard they
entitled TO their spoils."
Controller GroUt. who happened to be present.
asked about the attitude OF the Rapid
Transit Commission in regard to this measure.
He declared that personally he favored the bill,
but that the Rapid Transit Commission had not
committed itself He suggested that the MEM
bers be asked to give their attitude. He ex-
planned that the two White bills introduced last
night were presented at the request OF the COM
mission. but did not conflict with this bill and
might be embodied I'm II.
Others who spoke IN favor OF the measurs
were Frank Harvey Field. Julius Henry Cohen
and Calvin TOmpkin5. of the Citizens Union, and
Robert c. Campbell. Timothy Healy and Her
man Robinson. OF the Central Federated Union