New-York tribune., 1905-01-20
RAPID Transit AnENpnEyrs.

Efforts TO have the Rapid Transit Commission
legislated out of existence are renewed from
time TO time. and there are indications that they
will be unusually energetic this year. 1t is not
so certain, however, that the number Of citizens
who would like 10 sec them succeed is large and
increasing There is, Of course no doubt that
the commission. whose original members were
named IN the act creating it. and which is self
perpetuating is an exception TO the general rule
of republican government. But those charac-
teristies of the commission. deliberately provided
TO meet an emergency, were Overwhelmingly
approved by the people Of this city, and thus far
have been justified by results
The contract under which the first subway was
built and has gone into operation does not con-
stitute suitable precedent for future under
takings of a similar nature, and. if there were
good reasons to suppose that the commission
considered only few minor notifications TO be
needful in the public interest, the people would
unquestionably insist on having the control Of
rapid transit affairs transferred to other hands.
But we have seen no evidence that the commits
sion is either Indifferent TO public sentiment or
indisposed TO recognize changed conditions
few days ago il unanimously declared its utter
hostility to every scheme involving the use Of
the parks for railroad purposes Yesterday its
chief engineer sharply reminded the INTERIOR
ough company that, whatever contract No. I
not permit the obstruction and DETACHMENT Of
subway stations.
The bills Just introduced in the legislature at
the instance Of the commission also seem to US
TO show q proper regard for the public interest
If the amendment designed TO make ell Of con
tractors tunnel property subject to taxation
does in fact, as some think, exempt his real
estate now taxable, that error can easily be cor
rected. The other changes proposed are evidently
meant to meet demands which have been gener-
ally urged. and if they are opposed it will prob
ably be because of q desire to get rid of the
commission altogether than because they are
unsound In principle The provision relating TO
the construction and control Of pipe galleries IN
future subways is eminently wise Such ducts
are Indispensable; they should always be at the
service of the city, and ii is a great pity that
they were not built on those terms In connection
with the first underground road.
The policy indicated by the amendment which
would enable the commission to make an operat-
ing contract for any period Of less than fifty
years is correct but we are inclined 10 90 fur
ther and limit subway contracts TO a term Of
TWENTY-FIVE years with the chance Of renewal
on q reyaluation Nobody doubts that vast
amounts Of money are now eager for Invest
ment in such enterprises. Commercially and
otherwise the first of them is a great success.
The proposition which repelled capital for so
MANY years has been demonstrated. The city IS
no longer compelled 10 sue; it is in position TO
dictate But there would still be grave danger
In confiding its rapid transit interests TO Tam
many Hall The present management is incor-
ruptible and the pretence that II Is inferior IN
wisdom TO the organization which usually gov
erns New-YOrk appears TO Us ridiculous.