New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-14
OPPOSES ELSBERG BILL.
City Club Arayed against Mr.
I1inS on Transit Measure.

William NJ. WINS. ex-senator John Ford and
others who it is said. backed by the Citizens
Union Lave entered on a vigorous campaign to
make the rejuvenated Elsberg rapid transit bill
a law. The bill. in its new dress, had hearing
last Tuesday and Mr.. WINS goes to Albany
to-day to look after the interests of the measure.
The trustees of the City Club are unan-
imousy arrayed against Mr. WINS and the
measure thai he and his associates are striv-
ing to make permanent. They have prepared a
substitute bul which, it is said. was drafted by
George l. Rives and Frederic Hinrichs This
bill is TO increase the power of the Rapid Transit
Commission, while the Elsberg bill, as now
framed, has for of its objects the limiting of
the powers of the commission. The Elsberg bill
also prevents. prohibits. the letting of con-
tracts for construction. equipment and operation
to party The ultimate object is to compel
the city TO build and operate its own subways.
Some clauses in the old Esberg BILL Mr.. WINS
said yesterday, his party was willing TO acce ut.
and others they were not. The old bill Sc d
he, lis a last years birds nest The whole new
growth of operation shows the necessity Of going
further than the old bill goes. We want it to
be compulsory for the best interests of all con-
cerned. that the bids and the contracts for the
construction and the operation of the subways
be separate"
Lawrence WELLER, secretary of the City Club
confidence in the ability and integrity of the
Rapid Transit Commission, which haG been
shown by its work since its advent into the
municipal government The City Club ne said.
had always been in favor OF the old Elsberg bill,
the spirit q. which had been right. but that since
its alteration it could not support 1t in its pres
ent form
The twenty year limit for all contracts is a
feature Of the Elsberg bill which the City Club
believes would prevent contractors from bidding
on the new subway routes already laid out.
Albert B. 30 .rdran. of counsel for the Rapid
Transit Con, mission. said last night that the dan
ger OF the Elsberg bill in its present form
that il cuts down what tie city could offer. if
outside capitalists wished TO invest their money
in subways. Said he:
There cannot be any subway built with the
has a FIFTY years lease with option for
newal for twenty-five years The maximum that
can be offered under the Elsberg bill induce
capitalists to invest. is twenty years with TO.
newaI OF twenty years. 1t Compels the lessee to
al the expiration OF the lease? We are per-
whe thcr the bill becomes a law not. Meantime
We await a decision of the Court OF Appeals about
the constitutional contro! of the streets
Municipal construction is out OF the question for
good under the present conditions Ask the Mayor.
He will doubtless tell you that he is in favor
of committing the city 10 pay for even one sub
petion of work already in hand that must take
precedence The present subway cost 100000
Another one Of the same length will cost 50.oDr'p
Tie public Will not permit abuttng property own
ers 10 be disturbed they were before II means
building all of il the section on lower broadway
was built, which means far greater expense.
The Increase Of longitudinal travel IN NewYork
is so great that 10 keep Up with the procession
We must build a four track system every -FOUR
Tie civ Conditions now are better than be-
fore the present subway was built