New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
Proposed Contracts for Dual
System Turned Over to
Counsel for Their
Final Drafting.
MAJOR FEATURES SETTLED
Mass of Minor Details Still
Faces Lawyers - Inter
borough Offered Conces-
sions-Willcox Like
ly to Hold Over.

The proposed subway contracts for
the dual system were turned over yes
terday to counsel for the Public Ser
vice Commission and the Interborough
Rapid Transit Company for their final
drafting. according to members Of the
commission. Practically all the points
suggested for change have been agreed
upon, and there remains only the physi-
cal work of drafting the revised forms
II was said, which becomes the task OF
the legal advisers. The points at issue
on the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany contracts were said TO have been
satisfactorily adjusted at the con-
ference on Thursday.
Chairman Wilcox said last night
that further conferences with the
marlborough were unlikely. He said
there were one or two minor changes
yet TO be made in the provisions OF
that company's contracts, but that an
agreement had been reached upon
them, and another conference probably
would not be necessary.
Matters were substantially smoothed
out at what was probably the last con-
ference, at Mr.. Willcox's home on FRI
day night. Chairman Wilcox did not
wish, however, to fix a definite time
when the contracts would be ready for
execution. He intimated that II might
take several days for the lawyers TO go
over the mass OF details essential to
the redrafting Of the instruments.
No Reason for Material Delay.
Satisfactory progress has been made
on every point" said Mr.. Wilcox. and
! see no reason now for any material
delay. All OF the main suggestions
brought up nave been arranged for, but
don't care TO say that everything has
been settled The minor points at issue
probably will not necessitate another
formal conference with the representa-
tive of the companies. The work of re-
drafting the contracts is now in the
hands of counsel, but that may take
several days before they are ready for
the Board Of Estimate. Ne are not
employing any undue haste, but we are
getting ahead as fast as possible"
Rather definite assurances were given
to the Public Service Commission yes
terday, il is understood, that Governor
Sulzer would not rush the appointment
of Mr.. Willcoxs successor, so that he
can hold over il the contracts are not
ready to be signed before February l.
Mr.. Wilcox and his associates on the
commission who stand with him in
favor Of the contracts. however. were
not hurrying matters because of such
assurances, it was said. There was a
certain amount Of work ahead to be
done irrespective Of any other consid
and thoroughly in accordance with
every consideration for the city's in
terests, Mr.. Wilcox declared.
Still, after all was said and done
yesterday. the prospect was much more
cheerful than at any time recently
and Mr.. Wilcox and the other COM
missioners. who have been giving SO
much of their time TO the solution Of
the transit problem for the last three
years, reflected their satisfaction In
look and voice. There is every reason
to suppose that the most vexatious
question the city has ever encountered
will be settled once and for all in the
near future.
marlborough offered Concessions.
One Of the conferrees pointed out yes.
terday that a long stride toward the
final and harmonious agreement was
made at the conference at the Mayors
Office on Friday, when counsel for the
| marlborough offered certain conces.
sions which went far to smooth over
the difficulties then requiring settle.
ment.
Corporation Counsel Watson, who
was present at the conference with tho
| Mayor and later at the one with tn.
commissioners at Mr.. Willcox's home
is said to approve Of the contracts rs
| they will be finally submitted to the
Board of Estimate. AS his formal ap.
prevail Is necessary before the con.
tracts are signed, his advance opinion
| will obviate any material delay wher
4 - loo 90 nocc imam fhaV,