New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-30
BELMONT ARGUES CASE
W4NTS COMPLETE ROUTE.
Asks Commission for LeaTngton-are.
and Broadacay Subray Extensions.

August Belmont president of the INTERIOR
ough Rapid Transit Company, yesterday APP
reared before the committee plans and con-
trscts Of the Rapid Transit Commission and
asked that the commission authorize the extern
sion of the existing subway from 42d-st north
in Lexington-ave. and south from 42d-st. down
Broadway, as originally planned The commit
tee apparently was not favorably impressed
with his arguments
Mr.: Belmont" said the Controller, had
distinguished lawyers to represent him before
the committee to-day. and when he got there
cid All the talking himself. Practically he asked
that the commission hand out to him routes that
will complement the existing subway and leave
him without serious competition. Boiled down,
that is what his argument amounted to- He
wants Lexington-ave. and West Side route
handed over to him, and he doesn't want COM
peting line in 3d-ave."
III is a mistake" said President Orr. Ito as
sumo that the commission is favoring any one
competitor against any other competitor. We
have certain ideas with reference to what is
needed in routes for the proper collection and
distribution of the constantly growing traffic in
this city. We have invited the prospective bid
ders to say what they want, but after we learn
1heir wishes shall determine how nearly
those wishes win harmonic with the publc's in
serest, and the interests of the people will out
weigh anything else"
The marlborough interests were represented
at the hearing by Mr.. Belmont. Delaney Nicoll,
Julien T. Davies and George w Wickersham.
It was executive session. and a rather ami
mated one. After it closed one of Mr.. Belmont's
counsel said:
The main point made by President Belmont
was that the present rapid transit system
should be completed and the people of Man
haitian. The Bronx and Brooklyn should be al
lowed to ride 10 any part of the completed
system for single fare Of five cents. In no
other way could this be accomplished than by
the Interborough company, he said
not seek the 1nterborough franchise, and did
not go TO the legislature to get the contracts.
but the city laid out an uncompleted plan which
he had TO accept or reject His contention was
that the city officials acknowledged that the
plan on which his company had bid in
complete. and that it would be completed
soon as the city was financially able to have
the work done. He pointed out that the Inter
borough company had bid only S3.O000o0 for
she tunnel TO Brooklyn, which will cost
than S10,0o0.00o. because he desired to see a
complete system. so that passengers could
travel from any part of Brooklyn. Manhattan
and The Bronx over the elevated or subway
lines, with transfers, if necessary, for five
cent fare.
Ex-Judge Ernest Hall, speaking in behalf of
the North Side Board of Trade supported the
iplan of the Interborough company for a four
track elevated system in 2d-ave. from 150th-st.
to 4th-st. Mr.. Hall said il MAS impossible at
the present time to get seats the elevated
lFAlIls, ana TWO more tracks IN Zd-aNe would
go far toward solving the problem Congress
imam Goulden. ex-Councilman Hottenroth and
Henry Morgenthau also advocated the extra
tracks in 2d-ave
F. ". Bloomingdsle and G. L. Graf. represent
ing the Retail Drygoods Association asked for
q crosstown line in 59th-st
The South Brooklyn and Bay Ridge sections
were represented by delegations which insisted
on the building Of 4th-ave. line In BROOKLYN
Controller Grout said afterward that the line
undoubtedly would be authorized Congressman
Wilson. Rufus /. Scott and ex-Borough Presi-
dent Swanstrom, of Brooklyn. called on the
Mayor yesterday and asked him to stand by the
original report Of the Rapid Transit Commits
sion They said that the plans submitted by
the lnterborough company would not meet
traffic demands ina Brooklyn
George J.. Rives. counsel to the commission
esid That the committees report to the commits
sion would he turned in to-day