New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-01
NO CONDUIT MONOPOLY.
LONGACRE COMPANY WINS
Court Of appeals SustGns It's Con
tention AGAINST Consolidated.

Albany, April 30.-The Court of Appeals to-
day affirmed the judgment Of the courts below
in sustaining the right OF the Long Acre Electric
Light and Power Company TO place in the CON
dUits of the Consolidated Telegraph and EIectri-
cal Subway Company cables, containing it's
wires from No 54S West 42d street. New York
City, TO Seventh avenue, and then 10 the Cri-
terton Theatre, on Long Acre Square. The Con-
sondated company was authorized by the City
Of New York to sublet space for wires Of any
other company, but refused it to the Long Acre
company. The argument UNFOLDING the refusal
was on the ground that the Long Acre Light
and Power Company had no franchise from the
Board Of Aldermen.
The latter company claimed that there was
S7ant under the consent of the Board of Alder
men. All the courts have now sustained the
appIiCauon or the Long Acre company for a
Iil"i'ualhuS compelling the Consolidated COM
Iany 10 admit the formers wires to its subways
interests identified with the Manhattan Transit
company. which owns the Long Acre Electric
Light and Power Company, said yesterday that
me decision OF the Court n Appeals sustaining the
lower court In favor of the Long Acre Electric
Light and Power Company would Law the basis for
a revolution in the lighting facilities OF New York
lily. me decision gives the Long Acre Electric
Light and Power Company the right TO lay its
wires IN the conduits OF the city. il places il
the same plane as the present lighting companies
and It makes John c. sheehan and his associates
powerful factors in the illuminating field in the
city.
The Long Acre Electric Light and Power Com
Fany is in a position to make Innovations in the
lighting field. and II is said it can duplicate the
plant Of the present lighting for SG50000. It
has nothing 10 pay for its Conduits, and its i'm
fprovements VIII be hindered by entangling al
hances with other companies nor by contracts with
other concerns. The Edison Consolidated Gas COM
5l'ahes charge Is cents a kilowatt hour The Long
progressive rates in proportion. Aitbough it will
ehaTle .,n1y, one-yl,i7 M rae1+ "a ia fr ii1I,I,s
non, II Is situated 80 II can make fair profits by
antiquated appliances and its friends say can give
us l customers the benefit Of the latest improve
Not the least Of the benefits accruing TO the Long
through it TO the Manhattan Transit Company, is
me Iact that by the decision affirmed py the Ap-
all over the city
The Manhattan Transit Company not only pro-
poses entering the electric field in competition with
the existing companies but its charter rights, IL is
asserted, form the basis for organization in CON
necuon with subway improvements on the East
Manhattan and RrooIiyr Mr. sbceban is believed
to represent prominent political banking and pos
Transit Company. Control OF the Manhattan Tran
III fea6s 70 96n 1sq 3se JGsgP s M oaoy ana
The Manhattan Transit Company was incor-
carriage Company the charter OF which gave It
me r1st 70 operaIe IN any CITY OF this state PUBIC
vehicles propelled by electricity, compressed air or
any other power. Cyrus Field Judson was presi-
set and among the early directors z. NJ.
Post Q. F. Thomas. Josenh Letter. the late Cen
eral Samuel Thomas and Camille Weidenfeld Tho
Manhattan Transit Company's charter gives il the
right TO manufacture, operate and deal in vehicles
of all kinds for transporting passengers or freight
Under its franchise tie company claims A monopoly
of passenger traffic Other than on street railway
lines and the Fifth Avenue Omnibus Line (and
with equal rights IN Fifth ayenUe). I'm the streets
Of the entire city Of New York.
The company also controls Z per cent OF the
capital stock OF the New York & Brooklyn Rail-
road Company which obtained a charter. in 1885
IT Albany and nianne! the construction Of a tun-
City Hall in this borough and the building
known the Borough Hall IN Brooklyn.