New-York tribune., 1906-05-26
COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.

Mr.. Belmont made a rather positive state
ment about his business methods the other even
ing at the meeting of the American Federation.
! It was evoked by Justice GaynOr's criticism of
certain features of the traction merger, for
which Mr.. Belmont was responsible. but it was
comprehensive enough to apply also to the ad-
ministration of the transportation lines under
his control. This is what he said: Il want to
"repudiate in the most unqualified terms the
"insinuation that l manage, or that my assO-
"ciates manage, these corporations in any other
spirit than honesty or correct purpose, or with
"any purpose other than complying with every
letter of the law"
The very morning after Mr. Belmont thus ex-
pressed himself an innovation was observed in
the operation of the Third avenue elevated road.
A section of track constructed Ostensiblyt for
storage was devoted to the use Of express trains
The new service has been provided only between
59th street and 42d street. but it is believed
that an extension to 9th street in the near future
is In contemplation Even if there should be no
further development of the policy, however, the
initiation of it raises the question whether the
proceeding was in perfect harmony with the
highly creditable sentiments uttered by Mr.. Bel
mont last Monday evening.
Objections to additional tracks on an elevated
line might well come from two sources Under
the impression that it would be dUtriment to
business or comfort, property owners along the
route might protest and perhaps bring suits
with a view to checking the extra service and
any preparation for it. 1t is necessary also to
consider whether the rights of the municipality
might not in some way be infringed though pri-
vate individuals were persuaded TO withdraw
their opposition. In fact, at the present moment
the latter phase of the subject Is much the more
important of the two.
The City Club, speaking through its secretary
strongly suspects that public interests are being
sacrificed by the manner in which the Inter
borough is securing an extension Of its lines.
Within certain limits If not altogether, this view
undoubtedly commands the sympathy of many
citizens. There is growing conviction that for
all facilities the city should receive COM
pensation, and we are not aware that it is get
ting any for those just obtained by the inter
borough company. Grave doubts are enter
tanned also concerning the technical legality of
laying extra tracks without the formal approval
of the authorities Nothing of the kind Ger
tainIy has been accorded recently The City
Club has rendered an excellent service to the
community, therefore, in raising and pressing
this point.
Side lights are thrown upon the matter by
the fact that in the past the InterborOugh COM
pany has repeatedly asked the Board of Esti-
mate for certain privileges among them that OF
laying extra tracks on the Second avenue elevated
road. 1t has thus recognized the necessity Of Il
sanction which has not been conceded for similar
measures on the Third avenue line. The public
wants something more than side lights, how
ever and now that the issue has been definitely
raised by the occurrences of the last few days
authoritative opinion regarding 1t Is urgently
demanded This, of course should be supplied
by the Corporation Counsel, and he should sup
ply it without unnecessary delay.