New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-02
ELEVATED AND SURFACE ROADS.

ELEVATED AND SURFACE ROADS.
MR.. BLISS BILL REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE
on cTIEs-THE GENERAL STREET RAILROAD
BILL
10y TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
ALBANY, May 1.-The bill prohibiting the
elevated railroads OF New-York from occupying any
streets south OF the City Hall not already laid
their routes introduced the Assembly by General
George H. sharpe this afternoon. This the bill drawn
up by George Bliss, of which copy was given
in TIE TRIBUNE to-day. Speaker AvOrd
ferred the bill to the Committee Ciues-an act
which greatly astonished the Committee Railroads,
who thought they had monopoly OF rapid transit
legislation, since the Seebacher bill authorizing the
elevated roads TO change routes fell into their hands
Mr. Bliss bill is especially intended to protect Nassau
st. from invasion. The Committee Cities had a
suaon during the session. and resolved to report the
bill! faycraby tomorrow.
Another railroad scheme, and one OF great magnL
tude so far the interests of NewYor concerned
the elevated railroad scheme, considered by the
Assembly at It's afternoon session. This Mr.. Hurd's
General Street Railroad bill Under tins guse 1t is In
tended by the promoters OF the bill to authorize the
struction of raj road Broadway, in New-York City.
II understood that the hackers of the bill the
ers Of the Fory-second Street and ST. Nicholas Avenue
Railway Company. This cOgrany IN tue Fall
Of 1873 obtained permission from the Board
Of Aldermen OF New-YOrk to extend their track
from Teuhive. eastward along Fort ysecond-s to tho
East River II has since been held by the Courts that
the Board OF Aldermen have no power authorize such
an extension OF the track OF the road. Mr. Hurds bill
il 50 drawn that the company would &c enabled TO reach
Broadway however, and occupy that tLoroughfare
throughout Its entire length. IL would also empower
show perfectly good title to 1T to the Courts. One
sruction OF any new railroad under the act In any
street Of New-York above Fourteenth-st.. ex-
cept where the streets are 100 feet or
in width. This provision OF course excludes the
Twenty-thd Thrty-fourth and Forty-second-sts.-
streets which are already partly or wholly occupied.
The provision believed TO have been inserted for the
purpose OF protecting from competition the present
cross-town roads above Fourteenth-st This is very
frends OF the bill in the Assembly to-day that 1t was
railways. The bin Is also believed by some lawyers TO
contain sufficiently broad provision to suthorae the
not now upon their routes.
The bill emerged from the Committee on Railroads
two days ago. To-day at the request of MI Hurd was
special order for consideration at the afternoon
session. Mr.. Hepburn upon, the order being refused
vigorously resisted by the friends of the measure, and
they defeated the motion by small majority.
sKIRMIsHING BEGUN.
The reading OF the bill then began in Committee Of
the Whole When the second section was reached Mr.
Hepburn moved that 1t be stricken out. He then in
formed the Assembly that the section permitted the
railroads organized under 1t to issue unlimited amount
OF stock; IL also DESTROYED the provision which s in
profits shall not exceed 10 per on the Investment,
he proyison has proved the roads evadei
watering their stock but II NEVERTHELESS good one
section also permitted railroad to occupy the
track Of another without permission He trusted that
the bill would be materially amended. Mr.. Hurd said
the hill general street railway bill which he had
introduced IN behalf Of capitalists OF Buffalo who
wished TO build railroad there. The Constitution did
not authorize the Legislature to issue char
absolutely necessary Certain amendments TO bis bill
would be accepted. Mr. Grady argued that Mr. Hep
burn was wrong In the conception OF the secfion lie
ead that the bill opened the door TO competition In
street railways Under present laws there was no
possibility OF such competition.
AT this moment the hour for adjournment arrived.
and the Assembly abruptly adjourned by Speaker
Alvord The bill cannot be considered again for some
time and then not without consent OF largo proportion
of the members Of the Assembly. IL being low down
lobbyists here pushing the scheme there is doubt felt
about its reappearance soon
GENERAL TENOR OF THE BILL.
The bill authorizes any thirteen persons to form
street railway company. They will have to obtain the
consent Of the authorities OF city village to
through certain streets, and also the consent OF the
owners OF onehaf in value OF the property along the
streets selected In the property owners do not
give their consent, the railway company may
anpy 10 the General Term OF the Supreme Court
OF the judicial district for such permission. The
General Term Judges are then authorized
hearng to The persons Interested II the Commissioners
think that the railway company ought 10 De granted the
they NAV report back TO the Judges or the Cen
cra Term who thercupOn grant the streets 10 the
railway company i'll lieu or the consent OF the property
owners bi declares also that any street railway
conunny now Organized avail themselves OF the pro-
visions Of the act and alter change or extend It's route
under lt.