New-York tribune., 1906-12-22
P. R. Il. GETS FRANCHISE
YIELDS PITAL POINTS.
Comes to Terms Nth City Deer NezO
YorB, Connecting Railroad.

a few minor details are arranged the company
will go ahead with its great scheme OF improve
nent in Queens, building double track bridge
across Hell Gate at Wards and Randalls Island.
and giving the company convenient system OF
distributing freight within city limits
The conference at which the company came
TO terms with the city was held yesterday after
noon at the Office OF Mayor Mcclellan n was
attended by the Mayor. Assistant Corporation
Counsel Hoyt. Dock Commissioner BenseI and
Third Vice-President Rea OF the Pennsyivania
system
The railroad yielded every vital point, and
the terms which will now be recommended by
the Mayor 10 the Joint conference COMMITTEES OF
the Rapid Transit Commission and the Board
OF Estimate and ApportiOnnent for it's approval
apparently fully protect the city@s interests. Or
the eleven points under contention the railroad
yielded seven In addition. concessions Of i'm
portance TO the city points which did noe
figure in the original negotiations were made by
the railroad. The points yielded by the city
were given up without hesitation as the Mayors
original stand on them was the result OF a mis-
understanding of their import These points
OF minor Importance compared with those which
the railroad yielded
The railroad grants increase in money
compensation OF 10 per cent over the terms
offered the road by the Rapid Transit Commits
sion when it first took the subject OF the fran
Chise up These are the terms WHICH the MAY OF
took issue with at the time. The railroads con-
tention in refusing additional compensation then
was that the city would be largely compensated
by the great increase in the value OF property
by this great public improvement This argu-
ment was purely hypothetical when It was made.
Since then. in mere anticipation OF the construc-
tion of the road. property values along it's route
have increased % per cent With this proof
before i'm the Mayor felt justified in fixing the
at 0uIVr
cent in excess OF the terms proposed by the
Rapid Transit Commission.
The New York Connecting Railroad is run
from about 65th street. South Brooklyn through
the boroughs Of Brooklyn and Queens, and
across the East River. the new bridge to be
erected. TO the Borough OF The Bronx. where
connection is 10 be made with the New York
New Haven & Hartford Railroad Compauy's
system The Rapid Transit Commission fixed
terms for this franchise which the Mayor after
careful study. regarded as inadequate. The con-
tention made by the Mayor was. in the main.
that the cty's interests were not sufficiently
protected in the building and operation OF the
railroad. and. Furthermore. that the compensa-
ton TO be paid for this great privilege was in
sufficient
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company for a
long time fatty refused to consider any other
terms than those proposed by the Rapid Transit
Commission Its officials refused 70 meet the
city's representatives. or TO confer in any way
on the subject It was impossible 10 discuss any
notifications of the terms. or any coInpromise
proposition so the Mayor was compelled TO hold
UP great public Improvement.
II was not until recently. when the railroad
company made application to the Board OF Esti-
mate and Apportionuent for permission to close
certain streets in the Borough Of Queens for the
construction OF a terminal yard that the Mayor
was able to got the consent OF the railroad on
ciaIs to confer The Mayor proposed that both
the Sunuyside yard project. in Queens Borough.
and the franchise for the road be taken uP
Jointly at this conference. and this was agreed
10 by Mr.. Rea-
In addition to the Board Of Estimate. board
composed Of local elected representatives %
The city's borough divisions acting with the
Mayor is to pass all subjects which may
come up relative 70 the further extension Or
changes in the railroad from the way which IL
is now laid out as well as any readjustment %
terms at the end or the twenty-five year periods
in Mace Of the Rapid Transit Commission. which
IS not responsible TO the citys elected officers
Both the Connecting Railroad and the terminal
yard in the Borough or Queens are integral
parts OF the Pennsylvania Railroad system
Work on both Is now in progress. which viii
enable the railroad company to land freight and
messengers in the city Of New York directly
dealt with
It is expected that the city Will derive sub
stantiaI increase IN the taxable value OF prop
erty by the building OF the Connecting Railroad.
and a further advantage VIII be gained by
making II possible 70 connect the Jamaica Bay
shore with the railroad system. for connection
bv rail with the New England points and BY
transfer float system to the terminals OF the
railroad now on the Jersey shore
The disputed terms in which the railroad makes
concessions with important additional terms. now
stand follows:
The width of the right os way over or under any
street or road open or tn use or hereafter 20
be opened across the route of the railroad company
shall not exceed one hundred feet ia width
The plans for the proposed bridge and for all
passenger stations shall be submitted 10 the NIu-
nicipaI Art Commission for its approval
None of the property or tne ralroao company
shall in any way be- used for adverJisug purposes
The definition OF local passenger traffic is changed
20 include the carriage OF passengers between any
points within the present limits of the city o.
New York excepting only such transterTence of
passengers travelling beyond the limits OF the city
business of the various connecting roads. II leaves
the question OF passenger rates be settled by the
Board OF Rapid Transit Commissioners. the Board
OF Estimate and AppOrtionmeut and the Mayor.
whenever In the future the company is able % uss
this road for such purpose Under the terms Or
local traffic would have permitted any OF the con-
Meeting roads 70 have charged such fare as they
pleased between any point on the road of this
company and any point on the road or one OF the
connecting lines within the limits Ot the city with
out obtaining the consent OF the local authorities
Under the amended definition OF local traffic not
only the question OF passenger rates on this road
alone but the question Of passenger rates this
line when used In connection with other connect
authorities for adjustment. No modification OF any
OF the terms conditions OF the contract shah be
and Apportionment and the Mayor OF the city Of
New York
In addition any alteration which Is required 70
, be made sewerage or drainage system