New-York tribune., 1910-09-02
ASKS SUBWAY BIDDERS
Continued from first page.

spirit they were made and we reached
an amicable understanding.
The contract forms in their amended
shape reached the Corporation Counsel
on Saturday. He decided that. although
the Public Service Commission in ap-
proving the original forms had given to
Chairman Wilcox the power to make
such changes as might seem necessary.
It was a matter of such great impor-
tance that it would be better for the
commission as a body to approve the re-
vised forms.
Onlv Chairman Wilcox and Commits
sioners Eustis and Bassett were in town.
The latter was known to be opposed to
the forms. both originally and IS re-
vised Commissioner Maltbie was in
Europe. so in order to get q majority
vote for the revised forms it was nee
essary to hunt up Commissioner McCar-
roll. who was spending his vacation in
the Adirondacks. He was found on
Monday. but was unable to reach the
city until yesterday morning.
Bassett Objects to Forms.
An early meeting of the commission
was called, and the forms were approved
by q vote of 3 to 1. In voting against
them Commissioner Bassett. filed his
reasons His principal objection was to
the interior dimensions of the proposed
subway. which is to be two feet higher
and seven feet broader than the present
subway He declared that this Increased
the cost without increasing the capacity.
and that the idea OF equipping such an
underground road for the operation Of
trunk line cars in connection with steam
roads had been found impracticable in
various European capitals.
AS soon as the forms were approved
they were turned over to the printer. and
fifty copies were supplied last night
They Will be ready for distribution to-
day in the offices of the commission, in
the Tribune Building The folios giving
the plans and specifications for the vari-
Gus sections were ready yesterday, and
five contractors secured them.
The commission will not make public
the names of contractors and others
showing their interest in the bidding by
securing contract forms and specif1ca-
tons.
There is a separate folio for the plans
and specifications of each of the twenty
eight sections of the tri-borough route,
containing drawings and autographed
maps. These folios are sold at s. each,
or 500 for the entire set. The contract
forms are sold for 81 each, II took
twenty-five tons of paper to print the
plans and specifications, and the total
cost Of printing them, including the map
work. was about $4,000.
City VIII Own Them.
Under the Travis Robinson amend
ment 10 the "a pid transit law entirely
new form of contract for the construc-
ton. equipment and operation of the tri-
borough system was made possible.
Whether the subWays are built by pri-
yare capital or by the city the ownership
Of them will vest with the city from the
start.
In the private capital scheme, however,
he contractor who builds with his own
money will get his recompense in the
lease Of the. road for operation for q term
of wears long enough to enable him to
amortize the cost OF the road and get
rea sonable return on his investment The
CITY may at any time after ten years take
over the road upon the payment TO the
contractor of not more than the cost
thereof. plus Is per cent
This contract will involve bidding upon
the term OF years for which the con-
tractor wishes TO operate the system
rather than upon the cost Of construc-
ton. He will also bid upon the percent
age of the cost of construction he Is
willing 10 set aside each year To amor
tie the cost The operating provisions
are as follows:
From any Income and increase derived
by the contractor in constructing. equip
ping maintaining and operating the rail-
road h. will deduct annually
J. Ali expenses for administration ma m
temance and operation.
> All taxes rates and assessments. eX-
cept syecial assessments
? For the first three years OF the term
the contractor shall pay all expenses Of
maintenance a. parI-of the operating eX
peuse. After that le shall set aside
depreciation fund to be fHed by the com
! per cent # the cost OF construction
10 be set aside quarterly as an amortiza
tion fund. tThe contractor 10 name the
rate IN his bio
; An amount sufficient TO pay off within
ten years any discount on bonds issued TO
rav In. cost # construction and equipment.
. One-quarter of | per cent of the
revenue II contingent reserve fund until
such funh reaches > per cent on cost Of
construction and equipment This fund
10 be used to meet deficits in operation,
and any surplus IS 10 l-e shared With the
CITY.
= per cent, not to exceed per cent
ger snnum, payable quarterly 10 the CON
tractor and to the city a interest on cost
of construction, real estate, etc. and in