New-York tribune., 1909-06-26
OUTERBRIDGE TALKS
TRANSIT CHIEF ISSUE.
Political GuerrIlds Need Erpect
Little from Hundreds Chairman.


Committee of One Hundred, says the predominatns
issue of the approaching Mayoralty campaign Is
transt-the extension of the existing transit sys-
tens or the installation of systems at the min
imurn of expense to the taxpayers
He considers of nearly equal Importance the eco
nomicaI administration of the municipal govern
ment It would appear from his observations 10
Tribune reporter yesterday that he has little hope
of improvement in economical administration until
there is a and better charter He says that
the Committee of One Hundred will not nominate
candidates. but that 1t will take a lively hand IN
the campaign by educational methods and indorse
candidates in either party whose nomination "oulu
seem TO be guarantee of efficiency after the can
didate is in office
Another important declaration by Chairman out
erbridge yesterday that he had little falth III
mushroom political organizations sprlnslng INTO
existence on the edge of campaign unless uey
were made Up of large numbers OF suostahual
people. He intimated clearly that the Comml''ee
of One Hundred would have little or nothing TO DO
with the minor organizations which were pressing
for popular attention.
II did not seek the Office CT chairman OF the
Committee of One Hundred, said Mr. Outerorldse'
who is a tall slender of fifty. or horlo co'h-
pexion, gray hair and strong features. l had
hoped that the committee would choose some one
else for its. head. l am essentially man oI ou9i-
ness. / never enrolled in a party of9dhlIa-
ton and 1 guess IT is safe TO class me as an lhoe
pendent
What, from your point OF view. is the issue Oh
the campaign"
Transit said he. The people are thoroughly
awake 10 the need OF better transit taclltes' dhey
have watched the operation of the first SUBWAY an"
have noted the extraordinary increase in real estate
values in the district affected. They reason thar
other subways serving other districts Will similarly
affect estate values and similarly increase the
popularity of the city. The people are fuiIy aIlNe
to the transit situation and the handling OF that
issue is going 10 be the leading feature OF the dp-
preaching campaign, in my Judgment
OPPOSES MUNICIPAL OPERATION
How does the Committee of One hundred stand
with reference to municipal construction and op-
Grafton of subways?"
Speaking fer myself" said Mr.. Outerbridge' 1
have no hesitation in saying that I ndorse the
general features of the Travis-Robinson bill which
gives the city control of its subways and permits
of their construction by private capital with re
version to the city equitable terms. | am per
sonally opposed TO the building of a subway unless
the city first obtains tenant 10 operate It, The
Cassidy committee in its inquiry into municipal
methods laid bare the fact that the city was not
able purchase its own stationery economically.
10 say nothing Of It's other supplies If IL is not
able TO purchase comparatively minor supplies. how
could II embark on such an enterprise as subway
construction and operation with any hope OF doing
the work economically?
q opposed to any system that would permit
of the building OF a subway into territory that
would not yield paying trafiic. Such course
would he highly satisfactory TO the people i'm
mediately benefited, hut the subsequent operation
of the system would he very burdensoms TO all the
rentpayers and taxpayers. The rentpayers and
taxpayers practically the same footing In I
this respect, although rentpayers do not seem
10 grasp the fact II the city should embark on
the construction and operation OF s1bways not /
financially feasible from business mans point Of
view, the cost OF maintenance would fall all the
taxpayers and TentpayeTs as whole, and the small
householder not served with the new subway Sys-
TEN would find his rent or taxes much increased /.
without knowing just how it happened.
Il know of ElarinK ilustra ton of how
not TO build and conduct public utility than the
Staten Island ferry. That ferry system Is 4 right
fine thing for The people who II, but It is
ing the taxpayers Of the city a whole $I.000.o0o
year The city collects only 81 900 900 q year
in taxes from Staten Island real estate. so that by
maintaining the ferry system II Is making them a
present Of all the taxes they pay This is fine for
the people who are directly benefited by the ser
vice. but it is very bad indeed for the city.
NATURE OF MR.. CRoMwELLs JOB
Il know Borough President Cromwell. and he
certainly Is a pleasant man to meet He has been
elected again and again because he has obtained
such disproportonate share OF benefits for the
people Of Staten Island. His politics count for
nothing in face Of that fact Doubtless the voters
there. from purely selfish motives. Will keep
electing him. in the hope that the benefits will
tinue flow to them Mr. Cromwell has TO pay
for what he obtains in the Board Of Estima,e and
Apportionment by voting. without regard to merit,
for things asked for by the other borough presi- .
dents l speak Of this in no censorious spirit as
affecting Mr.. Cromwell, but as showing that the
municipality Is making a grave mistake In hand .
ling public utility 1t handles the Staten Island .
ferries.
- appeared before the Mayor as the representa- /
tive of the Chamber of Commerce when the Travis /
Robinson bill came up before him. and favored the
bill then. do nov, because IT provides for the
of private capital in the building of subways.
It also provides for the building OF subway Us on the
assessment plan-that is. by assessing the cost of
the project the property directly benefited.
in favor OF this feature. In the the
present subway 1t is shown by an examination of
the tax books comparing a hve-year period ante
dating the building of the subway with the five
years following its construction that real estate
half mile either side of the route clear into The
Bronx had enhanced in value that the city has
actually collected sS4 .000.G00 in increased taxes
When subway route is laid down in the right way
a large increase in values be reasona bly, ex-
pected and that is why I favor the assessment
plan provided for in the Travis Robinson bill"
Are not some of the members of the Committee !
of One Hundred-men like Mr. Curtis and Mr
Coakley. for instance-radicaIly in favor of mu- D
nicipal construction and operation of subways?"
Yes. they rational men. when they
find themselves in a minority they do the best they
IN the circumstances"
WILL SUGGEST FIT CANDIDATES.
How you going 10 handle the Endorsement
of candidates?''
Il the whole committee said Mr. Outer
bridge The executive committee will be the real
working body of the organization. The Committee
of One Hundred will not attempt an enrolment
the nomination OF candidates of its 1t will
try bring about the nomination and election OF
the fttest men. I pretty certain 0hs with a
significant smile) that the committee will chase
around after the politicians, trying TO induce them
to nominate their friends. It strikes me that the
big parties will the wisdom of listening to
suggestions from the Committee OF One Hundred" .