New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-23
AGAINST ELECTRIC STREET CARS.
THEY WILL BE RUN, NEVERTHELESS.


THE ALDERMEN REFUSE oALLow THEM ON THE
| FOURTH AVENUE LINE-A LIVELY wRANGLE.
The important subject under discussion In the
Board Of Aldermen yesterday was the report OF the
Railroad Committee favorlng tho granting of permis-
sion to the New-York and Harlem Railroad Company
TO substitute electric power for horses on the Fourth
ave- street railway. The report takes strong ground
as to the improvements expected from the change,
which includes greater speed and diminution OF
Noise as we'll as through tho absence of horses the
taking up of less space in the streets report from
tho Corporation Counsel giving 1t as his opinion that
the consent of the Common Council was necessary was
read Alderman Ftzsmmons moved the adoption OF
the report and the passage OF resolution giving the
| desired permission. Mr.. Mooney moved to amend
this by granting the same favor all tho other street
railroads.
An effort was made to put the decision over for one
week, but President Forster decided that under tho
rules 1t could be acted upon at once Mn Downing then
made O speech opposing the resolution His personal
experience satisfied him that the invention was In
crude state that the company Itself was uncertain
as to its success Besides, 1t was dangerous 'Occu
pants of the car with nails in their shoes might
step on an exposed battery and instant death would
ensue He was In favor OF postponlng the permls-
SION asked for until 1t had been demonstrated that tho
plan was feasible and proper safeguards had been put
In and about the car
Mr. Storm replied that improvement always meets
with opposition similar to that which had just come
from the Vlce-Presldent He classed Mr. Bowling
with the opposers Of steam power when Its use was
first attempted Electric traction for street cars hal
been tried for fourteen years in Brussels with great
Success He had himself been there and had ridden
upon the cars.
After Mr.. Bowling had again spoken against the
resolution, Mr.. Conklng made an argument In Its
favor He said that he had lived in Brussels city
whose temperature much like New-York's, and
had seen the electric cars In operation there lie
could testify to their success he asserted that they
were not dangerous.
Mr.. Fitzsimmons now opened his batteries upon
Mr. Bowling, and said that he was standing in tho
way OF PROCESS he ridculed the statement that
people on these cars would killed II they had nails
in their shoes, and characterized II as a result Of
dense ignorance on the part OF Mr. Downing Tho
electric wires which killed people were charged with
1900 to 1000 horse power while the electric strength
of these motors represented by hfteen-horso
power only. Who ever heard Of telegraph wires kill
ing anybody. yet there was moro electric power In
telegraph wire than stored In the electric car
Mr.. Bowling was perceptbly angered when no
arose to reply. II he could call MI Fltzsimmons
gentleman, no would say that the construction which
the gentleman had placed upon his position was
grossly false His mental deformity, however, was so
great that IL would be unjust TO resent what had been
said by him. 81 am not surprised" said Mr.. Dow
ling that he questions the motives OF others lie
declared before he became member Of this board
that he would mako a reputation, no matter at whose
expense"
aDo you state that of your own knowledgci' asked
Mr.. Fitzsinnons
al have stated It TO your face BEFORE was the
reply
"You state a falsehood," said Mr.. Fltzsmmons.
al am not addressing you,' remarked Mr.. Bowling.
There is not an occasion when he Fitzsimmons)
has not imputed dishonest or ctSoaed motives to
fellow-men / reterats the statement have made
Mr. Bowling also opposed the resolution on the ground
that n would throw thousands OF men, blacksmiths,
staslsmsn and others out OF employment
A motion to suspend the debate and take up un-
finished business gave the angry Aldermen a chance
TO quiet down when the motor subject was resumed
Mr. Mooney's amendment was voted down. The
original resolution defcatod-ayes TO- nays IA.
The vote was as follows:
For-Fostsr, Barry Corkling, Cowe, Ftzsimmons,
Gunther Hubbell, McMunay, Renckhoff and Storm.
Aganst-Dowling Benjamin, Butter, Clancy, Hol-