New-York tribune., 1908-02-18
Reform CLUBS PLANS.
C;tY Should Control It's Public Utili-
ties. Sags CaIUin TOmkirS.

Calvin Tonlins president-elect of the Reform
Club, outlined yesterday the plans OF that organ
ization for the coming year. MI Tomkins has
taken the Craftsmanship of the committee on mtI-
nioipaI affairs and intends 10 carry in this
rnittee discussions similar 10 those conducted by
the committee on city affairs of the Municipal Art
Society OF which he is also the chairman
The dominant idea of that committee is that the
cf+v should control its public utilities in ef-
Tective way, and that this be accomplished
best through maintaining the power OF re-entry
by the city payment of compensation 10 be
determined at the time Of making grants for trans
portation lighting telephone service and other
public utilities
Mr., TOmkins said
The transportation needs Of the city for many y
years 10 come are likely 10 pe IaF IN dilc9 @ "a
while comprehensive transit plan may be practl-
caiIv outlined at the present time its realization
is sun far OF. As a consequence OF this state OF
affairs Of the grea' est importance thal tIle
city should maintain sufficient control over I'll new
subway routes to enable 1t to compel physlcal con
nections between them and continual readaptalonms ms
Of means TO ends, such as Lle snCo - ~
and transfer OF passengers at 1llIerS7cIlns
Readtustment OF this character will be continu7
ally necessary as the transportation system , ana
10 have a system Of unrelated routes. whicn'
through lack of co-ordination or plans ana serEce
viii Introduce additional complications ana serious
IL TO on nv mind the necessity for this continual evo
y I-tl1 Ireorganizaton and readaptation const-
tutes the future crux OF the transportation prop
best service is for the city TO keep control over
eI-er,y transit line which shall hereafter be bllt,
"a 4bfs | think can only he accomplished by the
SIssEashusetts and Wisconsin system. through the
power Of re-entry on payment OF prearrAAged III
TINS Is fair to both parties rs It leaves the con-
~ n rhe CITY and avoids undue risks 10 private
cayf+aI believe it would be found unsafe ana
,r9asira bic for private capital hereafter 10 uhdeI
ttnAe of +ubc control. which is. Of course, linked
10 n corresponding public responsibility to private
rFba 5av for the long term franchise which could
canitaiized has PASSED, ana private n
aztore must look to smaller and safer returns Tor
T~frcfrIe shall become generally recognized, l pc
- +ia+ urvate enterprise and private capital
In affectfValv supplement the city's efforts 10
r-avfla an adequate transportation anu AShung
svsteTn sufficient for the rapidly growing needs or
III Tb e. feforrn Club committee Will also advocate
adOntion of the principle Of excess condefnna-
ron in connection with public improvements. This
Tas haen recommended by the City Improvement
lso,nr1iseiou and Is generally availed OF by Eng
REORGANIZATION of street and park systems and siunl
districts It provides that In connection with great
T5rbiir improvements the city shall be empowered
nj only 10 take the necessary land cor the specific
jr1provenent at its then value. bat shall also be
ntrrirted 10 acquire the surrounding lands. with
me Intention or leasing selling them under suit
able restrictions the higher range or values 10
be established after the improvements shall have
In this way public improvements such the
extension OF Sixth and Seventh avenues the widen
ing of -9th street and the acquisition or new
.Grtl house site. be made seH-5ustainlng enter
trses In other words, the city would buy the land
at its unmprOved value and dispose OF It at the
improved value. incidentally obtaining Lhe needed
improvements.