New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-03-11
OPERATING LEASE DESIRED.

OPERATING LEASE DESIRED.
In order that we may raise private capital,
and inasmuch as it viii be necessary TO provide
for the amortization Of the entire cost of the
extensions within the period Of the operating
lease. i viii be necessary that the extensions be
made under an operating lease from the city for
Substantially the same term as that under which
the existing subway is being operated. Under
such contract the city would be the owner Of
the entire subway system from the outset and
would come into possession upon the expiration
ot the term Of the existing contract.
Second-Tile construction Of a third track on
both the Second avenue and Third avenue ele-
waited lines. This Improvement will furnish the
earliest possible relief 10 The Bronx, inasmuCh
es it can be completed within eighteen months
II viii Be necessary that these additional tracks
should b. built under a franchise similar TO
that under which the existing elevated tracks
built.
ThiTd-The Iengthening OF the platforms in
the existing subway stations so 10 permit the
operation az six-car trains on the local tracks
and ten-car trains on the express tracks. This
Improvement viii increase the capacity of the
existing subway By than p per cent. and
can be completed within ten months. 1t should
be MADE extra under the existing subway
contract
EXCEPT in the case OF the cost Cless than 81
oeeo00} of the Iengthening Of the stations Of the
existing subway, all Of the improvements above
outlined. estimated to cost $4,000, 600. would be
made without resorting 10 the funds or credit Of
the city
We are confident that 1ye can obtain the neces-
saTy capital 10 carry cut the foregoing improve
ments i undertaken an entirety and the laws
ana the city authorities to enter into the neces-
sary contracts
We are prepared to submit TO you whenever
you wish the plans which have been prepared
oy our engineers.
Sr. shonts's present proposition is decidedly
reminiscent CT a. letter which he sent to the old
Rapid Transit Commission in April Of 1907. The
commission had advertised for bids for a num-
Der Of contemplated subway routes. and none
had been received Mr. Shonts wrote the
commission however. and offered TO build the
Lexington avenue subway north and the Sew
enth avenue subway south at cost. provided the
city would furnish the money and would also
give the company permission TO third track the
Second avenue and Third avenue elevated lines
on perpetual franchise basis.
The commission countered with the sugges-
uon that Mr.. Shents supply the money. Under
his plan the commission intimated that it would
consider the third track question favorably. Mr..
shents never replied to the commissions letter.
THE SUBWAY ROUTES IN DETAIL.
An elaborate map accompanied Mr. Shonts's
letter 10 the Public Service Commission. This
map showed that the route Of the proposed West
soe subway extension would be from Times
square down Seventh avenue, through the pro-
posec farick street extension, through Green
S'eh Village through Varick street to West
broadway, to Greenwich street. and thus TO the
oe'ery. where # would connect with the pres
A- subway The East Side extension
9uo lie north under Lexington avenue to 13lst
.1ise. then under the Harlem River and under
-hifo avenue to 149th street, where connection
'''o be made with the present subway. II
YES noted that provision was made for a
Io~ay uneer Canal street, connecting the East
and West sides
was the general opinion that the applica-
aoh would not meet with favor in the eyes OF
: Fnohe Service Commission. but no one Of
On H. "
Imam o. McAdoo. president of the Hudson
hhattan Railroad Company. which wants
'eha lis tunnel system from 33d street and
A avenue 70 the Grand Central station. had
x,r.s conference yesterday with Chairman
'& oi the Public Service Commission.