New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-10
.FAV0RS THIRD TRACK.
RICE REPORTS TO BOARD.
Most Practical Plan. He Says, to
ReHeTe East Side.

George s. Rice chief engineer of the Public Ser
vice Commission in a supplemental report yester-
day strongly recommended third tracking the Sec
ond and Third avenue elevated lines as the most
practicable way Of relieving the East Side con
geston and aTordng rapid transit between Man
haitian and The Bronx. The commission received
request from the Taxpayers Alliance of The
Bronx requesting hearing the third track
proposition.
NJ. Rices report was referred to the committee
OF the whole, and immediate action Will be
taken. There viii be a hearing for The Bronx tax
.'Inasmuch "a Manhattan. from 10th street %
1870 street is undcrlaid by rock the surface,
addltl'nal subway construction for any north and
south line will necessarily take about four years"
Engineer Rice said in his report "One Of the most
pressing necessities for greater New York prevails
low In connecting Manhattan with The Bronx.
The only possible way to accomplish this put
dditonal tracks on the elevated roads on the East
size or the city; that is, on the Second and Third
avenue L lines, which extend from The Bronx
the lower end of Manhattan
This addition the elevated facilities" he
adds, has been urged for number OF years and
the Rapid Transit Board NJ a recent meeting sent
communications to the Tnterborough connany no
ilfyinS IL that II willing negotiate refer
ence TO the affOrdlng Of additional facilities by
means OF additional tracks under certain cond-
tons
This problem is the greatest problem the com
mission has at present It means the granting of
privileges, suggested. with provisions that will
not only compensate the CITY but protect 1t In
granting additional facilities for the franchises
granted In perpetuty'
Commissioner Bassett introduced resolution
which calls for the presentation Of a payroll
Controller Metz of several in the engineering
department The roll was signed h., the chief engi-
and by H. 4. n. Holman, the auditor. This
payroll will be To the State Civil Service Com
mission, and If approved will TO he Controller.
Civil Service Commissioner Brown said yesterday
that arrangements had already been made for the
state commission certify the payrolls Of the en-
ployes taken over from the Rapid Transit Com
mission and that there could be no DOUBT OF their
being legally entitled their pay far as the
Civil Service law concerned.
II the Controller refuses to turn over to the
mission the amount required by roll his action
will he interpreted that the city authorities
Will refuse 10 supply the commission with funds
If the Controller honors the roll il will mean that
the city officials will not attempt 10 hold up the
commission.
Should Controller Metz refuse to pay the salaries
Of the commissions employees the question of the
Constitutionaly of the public service bill will be
the immediate issue. That would involve the ques
ton or with whom lies the burden of proof Should
the city attempt to hold up the commission it will
also attempt 10 force the commissioners to go into
court and prove the bill constitutional Lawyers
say. however. that the burden OF proof rests with
the city that legally it can have no right to refuse
To obey the provisions of any law on the statute
books until that law has been proved unC0ustitu-
uonaL The mere fact that the Controller. the
Corporation Counsel or any other city official thinks
4 Jaw unconstitutional. they say gives no one the
right TO refuse obedience 10 that law.
The appointment Of counsel for the commission s
using me commissioners increasing inconvenience
and anxiety Various men We're discussed at he
executive session yesterday. No conclusion was
reached.
The name Of Incorporation Counsel Ellison was
mentioned. Commissioner Bassett said that Mr.
Ellison had mot been considered az vet Senator
Page has been frequently discussed and n e
thought by many that he VIII be appointed event
ualy. one Of the commissioners said that the
Senator had been considered. but individually he
thought him mot Of tho right calbre for
counsel" Commissioner Bassett said he thought
it improbable that the appointment would be made
before next week.
The commission held it's second public meeting
Yesterday morning In the afternoon there was
the usual executive session. Commissioner Eustis
acted as chairman in the absence Of Commissioner
Wilcox. who is still visiting the President
At the morning meeting the committees appointed
TO investigate the Brooklyn Bridge crush and the
Fourth avenue subway were announced. The for
mer told in The Tribune yesterday is composed
Of Commissioners Bassett, chairman; McCarroIl ami
Eustis, and the latter Of Commissioners McCarrou
Ia asset and Maltbie
The committee appointed to Investigate the
bridge crush cannot make physical changes in the
terminal structures OF the bridge or IN the tracks
over the bridge This property belongs the city.
and for that reason is under the Jurisdiction
Of the commission. but under that Of the Board OF
Estimate. The commission can. however. order
an increased number Of trains run over the bridge
and regulate schedules and the type OF cars 10 be
used.
Commissioner Bassett said the committee had
discussed tho problem. but that II was too early
10 make any prediction. He said the commission
had the power TO order loop line from the bridge
over lower Manhattan. This has been suggested
a remedy for the crush. OF course" con
tinued Mr. Bassett. I'VE DESTROYS to cooperate
big question, and We shall consult with outside
engineers
The Fourth subway and Bronx rapid
transit problems were discussed in the executive
session.
Resolutions we're adopted requesting the State
Civil Service Commission 10 furnish lists from
which appointments can be made OF court
stenographer, three other stenographers. forty
spectors Of gas meters. fifteen inspectors Of cleo
trio meters and five statistcians.
A letter was received from Frank W. Stevens.
chairman OF the Public Service Board for the 2d
District. in reply to from the commission for
this district suggesting cooperation between the
two boards 10 obtain uniformity in methods Of
procedure. Mr. Stevens said he entirely approved
the suggestion. and Il is probable that Joint
mittee Of commissioner from each district will
be appointed.
Walter X. Harrington, superintendent of meters
OF the Consolidated Gas Company, said yesterday
that he heartily approved the recommendation of
Commissioner Maltbe that every meter be In
spected by state gas meter inspector. Heretofore
has been the custom TO inspect only few out OF
each lot sent to the state inspector.
JERSEY r. r. COMMISSION MEETS.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune