New-York tribune., 1907-12-29
HALT ON NEW SUBWAYS
MONEY NOT AVAILABLE.
p S. e. Seeks Change an Transit
Lac -GoOernOr May Take Hand.

Fs,,Iding Of new subways, whose need is demon
x+-a-ed every night and morning. is impossible
,,,5er the provisions of the rapid transit law and
tbe state of the public purse. The Public Service
,-o-,-n;ssion which within few days probably
81 .aonr q route for a new subway in Manhattan.
hss not the least idea whether it will get the
money 70 build the subway
z,ao.rse of The deplorabIe situation the commits
10, believes that the Law should be changed, and
- -.euI- Of Chairman wIllcox's visit Gov
arnor Hughes on Friday fl is possible that the
c.o,e-nor's message will contain recommendations
,hs+ the rand transit law be amended as to in
7,,ce rrfvate capital TO get into subway transac-
Sons and that the constitution be amended to take
b,,ds issued bv ;he city for subway building out
of the city debt limit It is certain that the COM
-nss,an's first report viii recommend such legisla-
ton
According 70 the present rapid transit act, which
- .+e Vlsbe-e hill was passed IN 1906 after much
,-o,,h,e r1Ihic rnoney only may be used for build
.n new subvvays-Jhat IS the city must issue bonds
fo- the construction OF the subway Itself. The
c,+x,s finances now in critical state Con-
,-are- Metz has shut down vast public improve
,,,s,+s and public officials. including some mem
hers of the commission fear that further curtail-
rnent Of municipal improvements, rather than
more liberal policy. will be deemed necessary in
the future
The subway Is carrying twice many passen-
gers as it was designed to transport Elevated
roads are well patrorzed at all times, and in rush
hours are almost busy is the subway The sur
in series Of legal entanglements which seem like
lv 10 last for several years. while the receivers in
charge Of the property admit that the actual equip
r,ent is -deporable,' and they have alternative
TO berternent but the issuance o1 receivers GER
tihcates 10 raise funds
All this the Public Service Commission knows.
snd each member is anxious TO better conditions
as a-y straphanger OF The Bronx could be But
the public treasury is fiat. The remedy. the mem
he-s Of the commission have agreed is to have
uassed a constitutional amendment taking bonds
for new subusys out Of the city's debt limit as
was done with bonds for the new water supply
Such a course though, would require about three
years since g constitutional amendment must be
psssed by two Legislatures. then adopted by vote
of the people, before II become effective.
A much shorter way has been suggested. involv
ing only the amendment OF the rapid transit act in
q few particulars. One. OF course, would be that
provision declaring that public money must build
the subvays Another. most important, would be
the amendment CT the provisions regulating the
term Of operation of new subways 10 make them
more attractivs fnancers. This could be accom-
pshed by Legislature. and could be made TO
take effect Immediately
The commission does not look with favor on the
idea Of having subways built by private capital
and the term OF operation provided in the present
law-twenty yea--increased. all this
considerably Of private ownership, IT thinks But
the commission realizes fully the existing cond-
tions and the need of quick action II is not sitting
quietly under the caustic criticism which has been
comments. The commissioners know that the pop
ulatio OF the city is growing by OF thousands
each yesr; that growth OF business brings add-
tional thousands of outsiders this city; that the
spread OF population in Brooklyn. The Bronx and
Queens is presenting problems daily, and. Of
the two evils, the building Of new subways by
private capital and the allowing Of a longer term
Of operation 10 these capitalists seem TO the
raissioners much the less.
Unless get the law changed. and
induce private capital where its interest
lies. we are up against stone wall declared one
rnember of the commission yesterday.
The present situation. the commission believes IS
critical largely because the city's growth
allowed TO get far ahead Of the growth of the
transit facilities. Where subway built
several should have been Transit facilities
far behind the publc's needs that il will take
years to catch up Even in Brooklyn, where the
borough situation. minus the complications the
bridge, is fairly well in hand. conditions such
that provision must be made against the
growth OF population, which. IL is estimated. viii
double the present requirements within five years
Most OF the commissions time is being given
TO closing up pending affairs in preparation for
the report Of the first six months work This will
be presented to the Legislature early in the second
week Of January. and section OF II will deal
with the need for legislation this important
subject