New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-18
THE RAPID TRANSIT BILL.
IT'S AUTHOR DEPENDS IT BEFORE COM
MITTEE.
A., nrrKMAN AND AssEMBLYMAN FISH ARGUE
NOR MAYOR GRANTS MEASURE WITH
OUT EFrECT-THE BILL TO BE
FAvoRABLY REPORTED
1nv TELEGRAPH TO TIE THiDuNE-i
FAyoRABLY REPORTED.

Albany Anrr 17.-There was hearing OF great
interest given this afternoon ny "ie " ,u',',.
road Committee upon senator fa's'"s ""r,u ,l''
hill The authorities of New norN oPlo0 ~ ~
through ex-Corporaion Coun' / bechin""' wiz '
, srooc. !, criticism of it. and in advocacy OF
Mayor Grants Rapid TRANSIT o''i' ,.s, 49,,
r,pued ably TO all criticisms ana IL aoi' " W.
aro - ,,s hill Assemblymar Hamilton FISH, IT,
,ol,a o,,end-nc the Fa,sctt bill 10y naming III IL
Cor state RAND Transit Commissioners 'hc scn"c'c"
,eccp,lv named for Rapid Transit Commissioners pS
,,aror Grant senator Fasseu cNpressco HIS "ii','N
rose IN accent an amendment eA'eliu'"s '"0 'rO'''
., tho act over all cities having above lV'Ooo IN
b,htants thus obvat.nS the present. ooJo0uo" u Ms
~, chat II creates state Railroad Commissioner with
"''i ''" ,i,o, IN only one city, that Of New
- IL accented amendments offered by citizens
- prooh,vn exempting streets in that city from DC
cuna,ion by elevated railroads winch are no" ca
cmp,cd bv law He also presenter IN dnehui'c".
continuing the present prohibition OF the Ouiuhs OF
elevated railroads Printing House square south OF
rrankfort-st on second-ave below IwaniythlN-''.'
on Nassau-st.. PARK ROW. bIV"u""s 'o"'' Va '"'
ST. Broad and Wan SIS.
vr Rcekman who was the first speaker said In
substance: Il have already spoken at considerable
length upon this bill. 1t is unnecessary for me TO
enlarge upon the necessity Of rapid transit in New
York 1t is local subject peculiar to New->orK on
account of the geological conditions G.aughter)
Tammany tigers ana Olhcr dDlnldl>. suPP'9''
interrupted senator Fassett. There was general
Isurb and Mr. Bcckman blushnc. said Geological
conditions of course, mean Qaughter) lie then
proceeded detailing the attempted rapid transit eSsla-
ton Of several years past. lie said;
Mayor Grants Rapid Transit bin Of 1889 represented
the mature opinion OF Ncw-York on that SUBJECT IL
rosscd the Senate failed to pass the Assembly IL
has en rcntoduced this year and j. again pressed
Senator Fasset bill is also before YOU II l. obvious
tina, some legislation is needed to supplement the RAPID
Transit legislation Of 1879.
Mr. Reekman then gave in detail the defects of The
law of 1875 and explained why it was that II could
moi he used to give rapid transit to New York. Proper
comnensation TO the city he said. could not be Sc
cured under that law for such valuable franchise
as that of rapid transit road would be- lie eNtollcd
Mavor Grants Rapid-Tran bill. giving lis good
features.
Are not any Of those features in this Fassett bnl!'
INQUIRED Chairman Kmball.
they are in the Fassett bill in a different form.
Bp, the great difference between the bills is that the
Fassett bill provides state Rapid Transit Commis'
sion and Mayor Grants gives a Rapid-lranslt com
mission appointed by the local authorities. 1t is
an invasion Of the principle Of home rule
Mr.. Beckman, you have ideal home rule
rndcr the present constitution and laws - inquired
Senator Fasset.
We don't ask for ideal home rule" replied Mr.
peelnan We only ask that the home rule we have
now shall not be lessened." The speaker continued
would call your attention the unfortunate result Of
nassng the law creating State Board OF Aqueduct Com
rissoners. You remember that the Legislature iepeaeu
tina. law because OF It's unfortunate results.
Mr. peekman then read 10 the committee Governor
Hills message 70 the Legislature denouncine the
Board of AQueduct Commissioners and Mayor Hewitt
letter To Governor HUI afterward thanking nm lot
signing senator Fassctts bill turning out of ohce the
Aoueduct Commissioners. Assemblyman flsh, WHO
was one of the Aqueduct Commissioners thus dis
missed from Office smiled grimly Mr. Beeiman read
this letter of Mr. Hewitts. Mr.. Beekmdn then con
tinued
Arc you not passing bill for State Rapid Transit
Commission which YOU receive Gov
amor urls approval? This question Of home ruie Is
not a new one We have our state Governments with
their provinces and city governments with thelr
right q, local control over matters which strictly
local The Constitution says that city officers shall be
elected or appointed by the residents Of those cities ii
IS violation Of the Constitution TO appoint men who are
70 act I'm only city through the Governor ana the
Senate The local authorities must understand much better
than the Legislature who the proper men 70 govern
local AFFAIR bill also gives the Rapid-Tiansit
Commissioners power to run through the Battery
PARK 10 sanctions additional tracks on ThirdaNo and
NInth.avc 1t also they may extend their terminals,
That t. IL may extend tracks at the Brooklyn Bridge
over the SPACE in front the stats Zitung' building
i, would control Of the EapdIisnsit system
into the hands Of the New-York Elevated Railway Com
pany. You permit the elevated ROADS TO eAtenu ther
tracks
Doesn't Mayor Grants bill prevent the extension
Of the elevated roads upon the Boulevard p! inquired
senator Fassett.
1t does replied Mr.. Beeknan, but that will
be DONE if it is DONE by the local authorities
Wouldn't local control be given if all the State
Rand Transit Commissioners residents Of New
York; inquired senator Fassctt
Il am bound to think the worse" replied Mr.. Beck
man IS and to look for the appointment Of eight
foreigners a. state Rapid Transit Commissioners Mayor
Grant has appointed citizens Of the highest char
"a. r., nicaic apc 10
cry that he would not appoint worthy men,
Wonld you put them in this bill ~ inquired Mr.
Kmlan.
Il would.' replied Mr.. Bcekman, "h YOU fit the
bill otherwise 10 local needs. 1t seems to me mat
would be happy compromise. that people VINO I'VE
in New York should be appointed a. its RAPID transit
Commissioners
william C. Trnll Of the Forty second street Rail
way appeared and spoke for senator Fassetts Rapid
Transit hin. He criticised Mayor Grants BILL ana
aIyUed that 1t would be best TO have men appointed
A. Rapid Transit Commissioners who were not resi-
dent, Of New York, a. they would be most likely 70
be dislntercstcd and not connected with any hapiu
Transit scheme in NcwlorG.
senator Tas,ett said
Nh say, my bill violates the principle Of homo
rule Unfortunately there is no such thing III our '"
stituOn or in II j. theory that city shouu
lft entirely il. forces that II our large ciues
were permitted 70 stew In juice the result would
sautary II acku0N lodged that these cities are cor
rupt but is said they left 10 themselves the eood
citizens would be compelled pay attention to their al
fairs. u g. fetichthi- rule. But first YOU
would have 20 change the law Of this state There
j. an nchoae that doctrine In the Const
tuition but IT i, hot clear The cAaItcrtnkcrng OF the
Legislature o. the pat years j. phenomenal lhy
have made 300 charters. Mr. Beck
nan ac@now dces that motive power Of this disagree
nent is that Of The Rapid Transit Commission The orig
na Rapid Transit Commissioners named In my bill are a.
good and Trustworthy those named BY Mayor Grant
That IS true said Mr. Beekman.
But you don't accept my commissioners" said
Mr.. Fassctt. because Of your fetch Of home rule"
Nr Fas,ett continued follows:
But how are we to know that the worthy gentle
named by Mayor Grant Rapid Transit Com
mssiOncS will not resign shortly and De succeeded BY
the average Of Tammany appointments. III i
all a question Of confidence II IS true ! did vote
for Mayor Grants bill. | did II under pressure
This year lad the audacity 10 formulate plan !
in .l.lil. fDrln