The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-13
HOPE TO KILL ELSBERG BILL.
RAPID TRANSIT BOARD WILL ASK
MAYOR TO VETO 1T.

Rives Declares That II Would Leave TIT
Interborough Alone in the Field oil
Bidding for New SUbways-B0ardmaI
Hint at Belmont Holdup Scheme
The Rapid Transit Commission will urge
the Mayor to veto the Elsberg bill. At a
meeting Of the board held yesterday counse
were directed to prepare a memorandum
similar TO the one sent to Albany in OPP.
position TO the bill, pointing out that the
provision in the bill limiting the terms OF
future contracts 70 a twenty year period
with a twenty year renewa would make
impossible the investment Of private capita
in new subways.
George L Rives. one of the board
lawyers. in drawing the attention of the
commission yesterday to the Objectionable
provisions Of the bill made this statement
The most serious objection 70 this bill
is the limiting of the operating term TO
twenty years and a renewal for a similar
period only. That clause will hamper the
city in obtaining competition for the pro-
jected subways Bidders for the opera
ton of the new roads would have TO provide
their own equipment, and it is apparent
that no one would be prepared to spend the
money necessary for the equipment on
so short a lease as is provided for In the
bill.
sThe effect OF the bill would be that only
the marlborough Company will be able to
bid for the new subways. It is apparent
that under the short term provision only
corporations owning power houses and
rolling stock could afford to attempt running
new subways under the limited period
fixed by the Elsberg measure. and it is mani
fest that unless the bill should be killed
all competition will be prevented and only
such subways will he built in the future
as the Interborough company chooses
Albert B. Boardman. another of the COM
missions counsel, told the board that there
seemed to be a scheme afoot to hold up the
letting of the contract for the Third avenue
route He intimated that the Belmont
interests we're behind the scheme. Mr.
Boa told the board that the COM
mission appointed by the Appellate Division
to approve the route had finished taking
evidence and was ready to report to the
Appellate Division in favor Of the line, but
that Martin W Littletoa, who had announced
that he was acting for some property
owners along the route, had applied to
have the proceedings reopened on the ground
that he wished to show by expert evidence
that the line would not at present be a pub
lie convenience. 49,.
After the meeting Mr.. Boardman said
that from the beginning the ~Interboreugh
| compan had been anxious that the Third
avenue line should not be aid out. 1t
would, he said, take traffic from the Third
avenue elevated, and moreover a subway
under that avenue would be costly because
Of the engineering difficulties Of support
ing the elevated structure while the subway
was being excavated. Mr., Boardman said
that he would oppose the ~reopening Of the
proceedings. but added that he believed
the commission would grant Mr.. Littletons
application.
When the contract for the Brooklyn
subway extension was drawn the epectf-
cations provided that the stations should not
be used for advertising purposes. Since
then some OF the large stores along the
line OF the route in Fulton street, Brook
show windows in the stations, A com,
mittee of the commission was appointed
to deal with the matter. The committee
reported yesterday in favor of the show
windows and suggested that payment for
them should be made at the rate OF 81 per
square foot per month.
Before the report was adopted Mr.. Rlves
said he had received a letter from 6. W.
Wickersham, counse for Mr.. Belmont,
Directing to the granting Of the privilege.
In his letter Mr.. Wickersham reminded the
commission that it had refused to allow
the PETERBOROUGH company to display
advertisements IN the stations, although
| they were willing to allow the stations to be
used for advertising purposes in the shape
of show windows. The commission adopted
the report of the committee subject TO the
! approval Of the marlborough company"
be opened with the company with a view
to Tea ching an agreement for dividing the
revenue from the windows between the
| company and the city.