New-York tribune., 1906-06-08
NEW TRICK NOT ORDERED
Increased Il" Service Only Recon-
mended, Says Official.

officials OF the Interborough Rapid Transit COM
pany pointed out yesterday that the public is IN
error regarding the recommendations OF the STATE
Railroad Commission :or third or express track
on the Second and Third avenue elevated roads
The popular impression. II was said. was that this
recommendation OF the State Railroad COMMISSION m
carried with 70 practical order 10 ouilo such
tracks Immediately and consequently franehise
for the use Of express trains these two overhead
branches OF the Interoorough service. The recon-
rnendations however. do not carry any power AT
all and are merely the general opinion OF the state
Railroad Commission.
The power Cor the granting OF such franchises
lies entirely with the Board OF Rapid Transit Com
missIoners of the city OF New York. and. in case
that body should pass resolutions 10 that ehect
the Board of Estimate and Apportionment would
have also grant the franchise
The Interborough Rapid Transit ConpanN- oi"
csls stated has been exceedingly anxious for these
express tracks. ever since the Interhorough com
pany became power in traction anairs- some
time ago The marlborough made application 10 the
Board OF Rapid Transit Commissioners. asking
that body authorize such tracks Public hear
iass were held. being largely attended by those in
favor We'll $ those in opposition. But the
climax came when A letter was received by the
Board OF Rapid Transit Commissioners from John
b Mcdonald. representing the Metropolitan Street
Railway interests Mr Mcdonald that he
VAS opposed the third tracks. and in such
tracks were ordered he would refuse 10 be bidder
for the contemplated East Side subway AS Mr..
Mcdonald had been the successful bidder for the
present subway. and power to ne reckoned
with in future bidding, the commission hesitated.
not desiring 10 lose OF the most likely bidders.
The subject has remained before the commission
from that time without action.
An official of the Interborough Rapid Transit
Company said:
I'VE have always been keerly anxious get
these tracks authorized. We appreciate the fact
that the residents of The Bronx must have better
transit facilities. and this was the only way Ior
almost immediate relief. The growth OF The
Bronx passenger traffic IS increasing u per cent
year In eight years. which even then would
be before the East Side subway could be
nave increased over lv pei cent Inat would mean
that people couldn't get 10 The Bronx at night
facilities and there would he trying. So
the third track idea was the one We strongly
urged, and have always urged. -. -. 49,,
f.yornr Fay of tSese trecks9 the oficai Mas asked
IT rests entirely with the Board of Rapid Tran
sit Commissioners. People have wrong idea OF
the recommendations OF the state board There
is not particle of power back Of them. and they
merely recommend 10 the city board. imagine
that the Board Of Rapid Transit Commissioners
viii probably take up the matter right away:
Public hearings should again be advertised, and
Does Mr.. Mcdonald still oppose the third
Not at all. He can't oppose them. as there IS
no opposition company now. TIE merger, recently
sition So the Rapid Transit Commission only has
the work 10 rush through; ana doesn need 10
Worry any longer whether John B. Mcdonald VIII
bid on the East Side subway or not. There is alb
sou'ey no opposition Iron Jne piq owners
along the avenues. and even possibly in The Bronx.
but they very small minority, and shouldn't
bar the work
The official was asked il the possibilities OF such
tracks had been investigated by the experts of the
Rapid Transit Commission.
Experts he calculated. Why, there iSn I an
experr in the commission You never heard
Of an expert railroad conditions in the
Rapid Transit Commission. The chief engineer
is an expert on plans. but he doesn't know much
bout passenger traffic ard doesn't attempt TO
There Of the best experts obtairable con-
nected with the State Railway Commission, who
make passenger traffic life study. When that
7o07T- G11pn
be pushed through quickly as possible .
What action does the lnterborough Rapid
Transit Company expect
We expect that the Rapid Transit commission
will either revive the Old application We made
long ago or ask for another one. In that case
there should be a public hearing or two-the mat
favoraby reported and rushed ahead