New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-27
Only Minor Points OF Contracts
Remain To Be Settled.
Wilcox Says.
MAY BE SIGNED THIS WEEK
Chairman and Prendergast Both
Reiterate That Work Is Being
Pushed with Due Care
for City's Interests.

tracts for the dual system will probably
be brought to their final draft this week.
according TO the statements OF the offi-
sials responsible Yesterday.
The conferences yesterday were con-
fined To the city officials and the lawyers
representing the city and the traction
companies and were said to have been
held solely with relation to minor points
which did not call for further discussion
between officials OF the city and OF the
companies
II was reported that President Shonts
and General Manager Hedley OF the IN
tcrboroush had planned TO meet Chair
man Wilcox and Mr.. McAneny on sat
urday afternoon at o'clock, but the Two
railroad men were unable 10 keep the
engagement because of the elevated road
wreck.
Mr. Wilcox said there had been no
conference Yesterday and that probably
no further conferences would be neces-
sary.
There has been no snap judgment on
these contracts" he said. and there mas
been no undue haste about them The puo-
lie has been heard. and there now re-
mains only the physical work OF drafting
the contracts in their final form nat
few minor points remain To be covered
can he readily settled by the lawyers
who yybip the contracts into final shape
The chairman thought this work would
take about three or four days, and II ms
predictions proved 10 he correct those
who have followed the subway affair be-
lieve the contracts would be before the
Public Service Commission and Board Of
Estimate for final action by the end or
this week.
II was pointed out yesterday that II
Governor Sulzer should appoint sue
cessor To Chairman Wilcox ON February
!. which would bc next SATURDAY., II
would not bc confirmed 10y the Senate. in
the ordnary course Of events. until next
Monday OF the day following 81 the
earliest Ns the chairman legally holds
over until his successor has been APP
pointed and has qualified. there rs
strong probability that Chairman VIII
con viii be able To- finish the work when
he has devclopcd before he leaves Office.
Neither Mr.. Wilcox nor Controller
Prendergast, who said yesterday that he
did not believe any further conferences
would be necessary. would put any re-
finite limit on the time needed for the
final drafting Of the contracts. but IL
appeared from the way they talked that
they we're entirely hopeful OF finishing up
the work inside the next few days
Tho chairman and his associates WHO
stand with him IN favor Of the contracts
however. have no intention, so far as
could he learned yesterday. Of hurryinS
over any part OF these last stages OF the
work. because they realize mat su'H
haste might possibly operate 10 ihe CITY
disadvantage Entirely apart from the
question of whether Mr.. Wilcox VIII DC
r.r,nittcd 10 hold over I'm his ONCE Tor 50 ihe
ro,r DAYS or weeks after February !. they
foe, the work which has to he done
should bc accomplished just as carctuiIS
and thoroughly in these linaI stages us
I'm tho earlier proceedings.
10 ,bc work. attended TO IN that man
nor should be completed by February J.
~ co soon thereafter that Mr.. WILCOX
successor had not then auaiihed Tor '"'
Office. they you'd be better SATISFIED pu-
,,o,r attitude seemed TO be that in any
car, ;ho proper thing TO do Is to carry
rho work along thoroughly TO whatever
ooi,, ,hcv are able 10 reach before MI.
wilcox retired and IL IT Is then unIh-
,shcd the burden OF proof would bc On
bia successor II he attempted 10 force
changes In tho plans.
po-ourh President McAneny was sara
IN bc IN conference last night Win Leroy
T. Hardness. assistant counsel 10 thc
puhlic Service Commission. the man
600 ,s to draw the anal drafts Of the
co,tracts. and X. l. Rogers, Of the Inter
horoucb counsel Their conference was
said TO have been called solely 10 settle
upon final drafts In relation to minor
points.
President Mitchell of the Board OF Al
d.rmen. who Is opposing the endeaVor TO
enisb M the work before Mr.. wilcox re-
tires. declared last night that he did not
belisve the contracts would be put
through this week, adding that II they
ur.re II would be indecent haste. TWO
nass meetings are scheduled for Brooklyn
this week, DOlH w VIC '''' "'' "
night. one will he at the Academy Of
Nnsic and the other at the Bedford Y.
N G A.. and open discussion OF the sub
vav question will be the rule at each.
City Club to Suzer.
The city club. through its president,
Charles II. Strong, addressed letter To
Governor Sulzer on Saturday, which was
given out for publication to-day. II does
rot mention either Mr.. Wilcox or MI.
Mitchell by name. but refers to them
pointedIy in the argument on which the
letter is based
That argument. i'm brief, is that the
Eoard of Estimate, being an elective body.
may he taken to represent the actual sen
timeut Of the public. and that the board.
with one exception. is IN favor OF the gem
oral scheme which liz now under discus
sion.
eve believe therefore, that so far as
any action Oh your part may affect the
nr.seut situation il should. In recognition
of the home rule principle. uphold the re-
snonsible decision Of the elected repre-
sentative body of the City Of New York"
the letter says. II makes no direct arGu-
ment IN favor Of the retention Of Mr.. Will
cox until the present scheme Of transit
affairs is accomplished. but the tone OF
the letter indicates practically that as the
attitude OF the club.
ABDUL HAND SEES SULTAN.