The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-11


on one side a great corporation, backed
by wealth, newspapers, politicians, and
powerful financial interests; on the other,
a handful OF resourceful citizens creating
public opinion and concentrating it upon
the public interests; a contest extending
over three years; final victory with the
citizens in every detail. That is the most
significant thing In the recent political
history OF Boston.
When the first subway was built the
West End Street Railway company,
which owned most OF the surface lines,
was given the chance 10 build and own
this experiment but promptly and deci-
'sively refused. The city was obliged 10
build and own the subway itself. With
no alternative in view the West End
company agreed 10 lease the new subway
from the city.
The company emphatically insisted
upon tenure OF 30 years, the fun limit
allowed by law. a few public spirited
men. however, began 10 realize the sim.
pie but essential principles involved In
the situation. The subway was nothing
more nor less than continuation OF the
street, under the surface instead OF above
and used by one kind OF traffic Instead
of many. but still street and TO he
owned and controlled by the city like
other streets.
Its creation was OF very particular ben
eft TO the street railway corporation,
which could afford TO pay, and I'm justice
ought TO pay, adequate compensation for
its use.
Additional inventions Of transit facil-
tiles might make IL even more valuable
property in the future. and this genera
tion could not In good faith enter into
any binding contracts which might tic
the hands OF future generations and pre-
vent them from taking full advantage or
their improved situation.
From this point OF view, so years was
far too long a tenure. The legislature lis
tened 10 the men who said go and the re-
sulting lease was the direct and substan-
tial basis OF all the subsequent victories
ever the corporation.
1t provided for 2o-year tenure, with
a rental OF four and seven-eighths per
cent on the cost OF construction as COM
pensation-enough TO pay the interest on
the citys subway debt and provide
sinking fund which Will give the city
highly remunerative piece OF property,
debt free, in about 80 years but In no
event was the rental 10 be less than five
cents for every passage OF a car through
the subway. an important declaration of
the broad principle OF toll system and
a rental increasing with a growing busi-
ness.
The formation of the Boston Elevated
Railway company and the factu attendant
upon II were responsible Tor the main
contest between the people and the corpo-
ration With the cleverest legislative
counsel and lobbyists in the state, the
legislature readily yielded. From II they
secured most sweeping and valuable
amendments TO an old and impractical
charter for elevated railways In Boston.
railway locations In Massachus-
etts. with this solitary exception, are re-
vocabe at the will OF the state and mu-
nicipal authorities; but the complete set
OF locations for elevated railways which
these amendments granted them were. II
built upon, perpetual and irrevocahle alb
solutely. That was the vital point I'm the
highly generous concessions made by the
legislature.
The charter OF the Elevated having
been secured In moment OF public iner-
tia. the fight between the people and the
corporation centered on this point: 10
counteract the affect OF this extraor-
dinary grant 20 the Elevated company
and 10 keep the municipality In complete
ready and effective control OF the pub
lie utility OF transportation The news
papers, almost as a body. were lined up
against them, as well as the solid city
machine; but they were confident that
the voters OF the city could tell the differ
encc between a good business proposition
and bad one when the facts were pre-
sented 70 them clearly and simply.
When tho Washington street subway
was broached. there was no doubt az 20
the popular demand for It's construction
An organization called the Citizens assoc
citation introduced bill I'm the legislature
providing for a new subway 20 be built
by the city and leased on the same terms
with the existing one. The elevated road
began its campaign Immediately The Of
fcials OF the company quietly conferred
with the members OF the association.
Let the city build this subway" they
said "and IL will saddle itself with bur
densome property which no one will rent.
Circumstance compelled us 90 lease tho
fremont street subway: but now we have
our connecting link and our hands can
not be forced: we cannot afford TO and
will not lease any more subways
"Still. the city needs another. and We
are wiling 10 help the people out We VIII
agree 90 build the subway ourselves. We
shall own n forever. but the municipality
may. n II wishes. have n three years op-
ton. 30 years after It's completion. IN buy
II AZ cost and we shall az the same time
agree 90 take an extension of the Ire
mont street subway lease 10 1897. B."
The members OF the Citizens associa-
fion were men of the uitra-conservstlve
tyre. They accepted these arguments at
face value. and substituted for their first
sffenpt a bill In lire with these sIgges.
tons. The new bill the Elevated COM