New-York tribune., 1875-02-04

that tbe report should be published paper OF the
Society, but not conveying its unanimous
opniop with this understanding 10 VIII pass into the
hands OF the Printing Committee, and 1t Is said that
within week or ten days proofs will be Issued to the
press The Society adjourned about p. after Ses
SUGGESTIONS AT THE CITY HALL AND
ELSEWHERE.
PROJECTS AND ARGUMENTS BEFORE THE COMMIT
TEE OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN-ADDREssEs
BY S. E. CHURCH AND TIE HON. JOHN B.
HAsEIN-THE MOVEMENT AMONG THE BUSINESS
MEN.
Messrs. Purroy (Charman) Shandley, Bill
lings Rowland and Cole. constituting the Special
Aldermano Committee to Investigate and report upon
the question rapid transit met yesterday afternoon,
in the Adermens Chamber for the purpose OF listening
to any gentlemen who had views advance or informa-
ton to give on this topic. Among tho more conspicuous
persons in the audience, which filed the room,
were the Hon. John b. Haskiu, 8. L. Church-both OF
whom spoke-aud Tax Commissioner John Wheeler
The first person who addressed the Committee was D.
E. Church, who said that he had no time then 10 set
forth fully what had to present TO this Committee
but would do hereafter because he had been re-
ouesed by those with whom he acting. TO ask that
before any final action taken further hearing
might be given to other gentlemen not here to-day to
nresent their views He said there question be-
fore any community which there was so unanimous
an opinion as there is in this city in favor OF arapid
transit road The City Treasury has lost more than
during the years since 1860, when was first
proposed TO build a rapid transit road, aud 1t re-
fused to take measures. II. i'll 1860, some
sOCOlOOO, say, had been invested by tho city
in rapid transit road. 1t would have saved this year
COO IN taxes and to the city. Mr. Church
then explained tho provisions OF Senator Moores bill
now before the Legislature and the constitutional
amendments which affect this question bearing
special legislation, showing why Senator Moores Dill
would probably fall because OF its running counter to
the amendments. lie spoke in favor OF q road being
built by the city, and expressed the belief that private
cantal would never do IT, There too strong OPP
poston IN the sreetcar corporations for any private
company to overcome. THIS was the reason that none
OF the proposed rOads--he Gilbert, and the Under
ground &c-werc built, though it. was well known
that any OF the proposed lines built would return
large revenues. But, in his opinion, none Of
these roads would ever bo built The city
must take the matter IN hand. For SOOO.ooO
rapid transit road could be built with double track,
from the Battery to Harlem River. The amount was
comparatively small 1t might be said that there would
be corruption the road built by the city, but he
CITED the result Of the Croton Adueduct scheme
TO show at least the possibility OF the re-
verse being the case This was denounced as
swindle when proposed, and 5000 were
bill for the opening of the Erie Canal. He expressed
bimself in conclusion very much In favor OF helping
the Greenwich Elevated Road. which was succeeding
fairly though failure TO being what the city
wanted Ii was too from the center Of the city aud
was only local accommodation.
f. g. Smith, an inventor residing in the Twenty third
Ward produced plan OF q pneumatic road, either
derground or elevated. which he said would As miles
an hour and carry passengers to Harlem for four cents
each.
After a moments silence, the Hon. John b. Haskin
called the attention OF the Committee and made
speech OF 20 minutes showing with great force and
energy-it being tho main point OF his remarks-the
opposition which the Board Of Aldermen would ineva-
bly, encounter from the city railway companies. He
began:
Ihave como here from the Twenty fourth Ward to
make some practical observations for the settlement OF
this question First, desire to congratulate you upon
being presented here TO the citizens OF New-York as
committee OF the local legislature convened by COM
muncaon Of s chief executive officer TO pass judg-
hereafter on the report you shall su0lt upon tne
most important subject affecting the interests OF our
city that presented to the city for It's con.
sideration have resided this city all my life. aud
remember the introduction OF the CrotOn water, ana
vantages which could have given to u.s. yet say
that the consideration OF this subject eh OF
ends of New-York is important for the
purpose OF hqudatng the enormous debt OF this city
now over SJOO OOand OF providing residences for the
moor and the middle classes than any subject pre-
sented to the Common Council. remember the Charter
NJ
| remember before that We had convention here 10
form city charter in which took deep interest and
in which advocated the election OF heads Of depart
ments by the people. 1 remember from 1857 down,
owing TO the civil that the State Legislature year
after year took. away from the people Of this city
ments those powers which conferred upon them
10 which they were emitted and among those powers
il ths treated OF by Mr. Church. giving them power
to construct a rapid transit railway.
want TO say here, at the threshold or the discussion
by this Committee that you are TO meet with combined
opposition to whatever you are to report, whlcn can
only DO overthrown by that strong arm OF puOhc
opinop which throws corrupt men out OF office, ana
mus good men their places. This opposition will be
rghtful because IL IA opposition which has had the
peOpe of this city and the people or his State by the
throat for years and kept them subjects
ereigns-I the combined railroad monopoles that
own your and Sate, and have your Legis
ature To grind for them nOs for the people. lap
plauseI
Here the speaker read from the OF the State
Engineer on Railroads for 1917 in reference TO this
bpation OF city railroads here, which, he said, "hith
eIto has kept New York from having rapid transit and
will unless the united force OF public opinion
through you representing the city, and through the
State Legislature shall obtain 1t for u.s." This report
gave the capital stock and earnings OF the roads for
1874 Having shown the immense revenue accrung
from these railroads Mr.. Haskin continued;
Last Winter had occasion TO bo before the Legisa
lature In relation bill for cheap transit on Hsr
lem Road look the list Of the Committee OF the
Assembly, whose Speaker old friond. the Bald
Eagle OF Westchester," and found IL headed by
man named Lincoln, aud the Senate Committee by Sen
al Bskreg Those Committees were Owned-I assert
II bsldy-by the railroad interest OF this btate and
declare TO-DAY that the Committee VI the Senate. known