New-York tribune., 1907-10-15
FERRY THREAT A BLUFF
SO CITY OFFICIALS S4E,
Brooklyn Company Trying to Force
Purchase of It's Property.

Notices posted by the Brooklyn Ferry Company
Of New York that II would abandon soon the opera
tion of it's ferries running between Manhattan and
Williamsburg seemed to be regarded yesterday IN
the light OF a stupendOus bluff to force the city
into buying the property of the company.
"Sandbagging'' the word used by Mayor Nc
Clellan in speaking Of the company's action. Other
city officials expressed the opinion that the posting
Of the notices was simply attempt TO force m1-
ncipaI ownership of the ferries and the purchase
by the city of the Brooklyn Ferry Conpany's hold
ings for 100000. James ID. Bell. Assistant Cor
poration Counsel. said that the company had
perfect right TO the operation OF its ferry
lines If it chose. providing its leases had terml-
mated.
Each of the seven lines that the company oper-
ates between Williamsburg and Manhattan Is leased
separately to the company" he said. IT do not
know when the leases expire. probably difFerent
times but 1 think that each lease expires the
Brooklyn Ferry Company would havelthe right to
discontinue the operation OF that line but IL Ia
In n way a common carrier corporation II would
not have the right 10 refuse TO operate any line
until the lease OF that line should expire II IL did
take such a stand the city probably could collect
damages"
Mr.. Bell said that each lease expired the law
required that the city advertise for another operat-
ing company and grant the highest bidder lease
for not longer than twenty-five years.
What If the company should refuse TO operats
It's ferry lnes?' demanded Mr. Bensel Commits
sIoner of Docks and Ferries; the situation would
not be alarming think the city might collect
damages from the company if it dscontinues opera
ton before the expiration Of its leases The COM
pany holds leases that expire shortly and
others that have already expired"
The Brooklyn Ferry Company has offered It's
property 70 the city for s13OoO.OCO The valuation
placed upon it by the Dock Commissioner Is
si15O.375 Mr. Bensel made the following detailed
estimate:
f TMeve ferry houses and iventyone
twenty-five ferryboats OOO
Total ....... .s4l5os75
The Commissioner said that If the city were to
take over the ferries 1t would have TO operate them
at a loss and expend as we'll more than SO00O
to rehabilitate the system. 1t is said that the
pany has been operating the ferries for time
a loss and that its hope to retire with large
profit lies in the city taking over the ferries at
"a favorable price From the Department ot
Docks and Ferries II was learned that the company
owed the city in back rentals approximately $4,000
Following is a report prepared by Commissioner
BenseI showing the financial status OF each ferry
line controlled by the Brooklyn Ferry Company:
Roosevelt street Manhattan to Broadway. Brook
Grand street Manhattan, to Grand street Brook
Iyn; lease expires MAY l. Is1s; annual rental Sg0
Grand street Manhattan 10 Broadway BrookIyns
lease expired May l. 1893 (holdover); annual rental
East 10th street. Manhattan. TO Greenpoint
Brooklyn: lease expires MAY / 1898; annual rental.
East 23d street. Manhattan. to Broadway. Brook
lyn' lease expired May l. 1904: annual rental $3.50;
last payment on October, 15 1895.
East I'D street. Manhattan, TO Greenpoint. Brook
lyn, lease expired May l. 1875: annual rental 6750
. last payment. August J. 1897.
East i2d street. Manhattan to Broadway. Brook
lyn: lease expires December I. 1911 annual rental.
$4,000: last payment. September l. 1905.
Mayor Mcclellan said yesterday that be was op-
posed 10 the city acquiring the property except
n last resort and with this statement other city
authorities agreed The Committee Docks and
Ferries OF the Board OF Aldermen recommended TO
the board that the expenditure OF S3OoOOOO for the
property would be a good investment by the city.
but the board put the matter IN the hands OF the
Dock Commissioner. the Board OF Estimate and
the Sinking Fund Commissioners, who decided that
/ Il too high.