New-York tribune., 1908-03-11
O. K. SUBWAY CONTRACTS.
COler Tries to Proue City Has Money
for UOrk.

Failure TO furnish money for the building OF the
Fourth avenue subway the part OF the Board of
Estimate no longer be attributed to the fact
that the contracts not ready The contracts for
the six sections of the subway were approved by
the Public Service Commission at its regular meet
ing yesterday. Work the printing is being
rushed. and the contracts should be in the hands
of the Board Of Estimate at its meeting on Friday
The chairman was authorized to advertise for
bids the contracts were approved by the
Board of Estimate and by the Corporation Coun-
sci.
Commenting the action of the commission in
the meeting, Chairman Wilcox said
II think are to be congratulated that the
work is finally completed on these plans, and L
hope they Will be speedily returned from the Board
of Estimate that work may be commenced at the
earliest possible date, for understand that several
members OF the Board Of Estimate, including the
Controller. reported saying at public meet
ing last September that the money was appropri-
atej and available, aside for this work so that
l assume there will be delay now, and it will be
a matter Of congratulation to all that the sub
way be commenced
-SuppIementing what the chairman says. said
Commissioner Bassett, Il think dedicated would
be more proper. for I think the word 'appropri-
ated has never been used at least properly. The
money, however, fully understood to be re-
served for this particular purpose, although not
legally appropriated
Reports Of the meeting Cooper Union to
which Chairman Wilcox referred quoted Con-
troler Metz as saying regarding the Fourth ave-
nue. subway: THE of $685. 00o8 has been set
aside for the building of the subway Borough
President Coler said practically the same thing
President MCGOWAN of the Board of Aldermen, re-
ferring the appropriation Of the money, was re-
ported have said: t'It is unfair to the city to
have that money laid aside and not used for the
purpose intended"
In spite of this Controller Metz said yesterday:
I'VE have no money for subways to-day for
there is only s11000.o0o margin between our in
debtedness and the debt limit If the commission
had approved this route last September as they
should have, the money would have been appro-
priated and the contractors might be at work
now
Mayor Mcclellan said ii great mistake to
think that money had been set aside for the Fourth
avenue subway. For money is never segregated
for specific public Improvements, he said un-
less the contracts have been certified No money
for the Fourth avenue subway has been certified,
10 money has been segregated The Fourth avenue
subway is il The same position other subways
which have been approved from time TO time
Borough President Coler said yesterday:
The intent of those who are opposing the con-
struction subways TO create. if possible, stu-
alton which will compel the repeal of the EIsberg
oeaI it are too transparent to be serviceable.
When / compelled the recognition OF the fact that
year by year system, and thus start all subway
Controller then admitted he had. it became neces
sary to resort TO other subterfuges, and the Con-
troiler now blanky states that the city has no
money for the construction of any subways. This
statement is absurd The city of New York had
a borrowing margin March ! of s39.63S.S96,
which will be increased after July to s95.517.-
J46 leaving. after $4,000 900 has been allowed
for schoolhouses. dock purposes. etc, avail
able margin after July l Of s60.517.l46, which
may be used for the construction OF subways
Il am going to Albany on Thursday 10 request
Governor Hughes 10 have made an examination
of the financial condition Of the city, with par
10 he debt inPuFrng caDacitv
~ the city" said the Borough President. Il shall
ask the Governor to to it that this fnvestga-
,ion is made by some one not opposed to the
building Of subways.