New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-12
THE RAPID TRANSIT BILLS.
a HEARING BEFORE THE RAILROAD COM
MITTEES OF THE LEGISLATURE.
OBJECTIONS TO PLACING THE COMMISSION IN
THE HANDS OF TAMMANY-A PLEA FOR
THE ELEVATED ROADS.

hhNSANN
Albany Feb 1.-THE Railroad Committees OF the
Senate and the Assembly gave hearing tins afternoon
in the Senate Chamter upon the RAPID transit DIS
Of senators Fassett ard Ives EXCorporauOn COunsc!
Beehman Of New York appeared In behalf Of senator
Ivess bill saving that he did so at the request Of The
city authorities of New-YOrk. Albert T. Boardman,
Of the firm Of Tracy Mcfarland. Boardman d Platt,
appearcd TO support Senator Fassets bill. Julien T.
Davies ot New.YOrk came to speak for the elevated
railroads.
I'VE are not going TO be Obstructive to
either hill said Mr. Davies. bat claim that these
bills prevent the extension Of the elevated railway
system We think they should be amended III TINS
respect
Mr.. Beekman was the first speaker. lie skctchcd
New-York's many attempts to secure rapid transit
and argued that Senator 1ves's bin would accomplish
this AIM He narrated the city'S difficulties with the
New York Cable Railway Company. This case was
good illustration of the mischief that might be
caused by the present rapid transit law. Nor was
there any compensation, in the present rapid transit
laws for the city, where its streets or property was
used. That the real reason why the cl'y au
thorities unwilling to undertake to build RAPID
transit roads under that law. In framing Senator
Ives's bill. great had been taken
10 make it conservative and not to
invade private rights. The Mayor OF New-Nork
was authorized to appoint two men as Rapid Transit
Commissioner who not residents OF New YORK
The object of the provision was TO give tile Mayor
authority to take eminent engineers from outside OF
New York IL 1t should be found necessary. Iherc
was "a provision that after the routes had been laid
ont for the rapid transit roads, the approval of the
Sinking Fund Commissioners must be obtained. The
lioaId of sinking Fund Commissioners was the most
representative board of officials in New-iork IL
always acted with open doors. In the present case
ii could suggest changes i'll The plans OF the RAPID
Transit Commissioners which the latter could adopt
Tparn ~
missoners would hardly refuse 10 accept the advice
OF the Sinking Fund Commissioners in the face Of
public criticism.
Then said senator Cogscshan, the Board OF
Sinking Fund Commissioners are merely an ADVISORY
board.
"Yes," replied Mr. Deekman, "but this must be re-
membered that with newspaper editors powerful N
their criticisms as they are. the Rapid Transit Com
missioncrs would hardly dare to disregard reason
able objection Of the sinking Fund Commissioners
Nj Hickman then argued that the provision that
the franchise Of rapid transit road should be PIT up
auction, guarded the city from noncycd Influences
hostile to the city'S interests. In any
case the cty's dangers in this direction
had been ninnizcd Moreover. the biz guard
property owners from having their rights taken with
out due process Of law Inducements were also
offered by the act to the rapid transit roads 10 reduce
their rates of fare by providing that their annual
percentage paid into the City Treasury shall be re-
duced when they lower the fares. should tie ctY
authorities be untrue 70 their trusts, they would be
overthrow at the next election.
Senator Laughin-I notice that this bill does not
include all amendment TIA, We made last wear, pro
viding for the sale of the rapid transit roads 10 that
corporation that should have the lowest rates OF rare
Mr.. Beekman-That amendment made 10
the bill by Senator Vedder last year. have not III
cludcd it in this bill
senator LauCfn-This bill Is IN the shape IN "hIch
Vol hrouPht here Ii Il wear
Mr. Beeknan-In almost every respect 1t IS.
Mr. Beekman then argued at length that the mIl
would be d sanitary law. Tie Constitution, he further
argued provided that the local authontcs OF cites
ard towns should have control Of local railways III
them.
Mr.. Beehman. in closing his argument, cHuclscd
Senator FassettS bill on the ground That II did 10Y
compel the Rapid Transit ConmIs>o.ei' To state ID
detail az the feature, o thet pan 10, i%l' VIE
no provision for sewers, were the cOnlssIoAer'
made res pOnsibe 70 any one.
is here to oppose senator Fassett's BILL except Mr.
Ieekman, representing Iammany Hall ana MI
Davies, representing the elevated RAILWAYS
i am not here representing Iammany nan IN
terrupted Mr.. Beekman: " am here on retainer
Of the authorities Of New-Iork'
Mr.. BOardman then read extracts from all the lead
Ing New York newspapers in favor OF senator asset
bill. THE blu he said, is not opposed BY any
one except By Mr. Beekman.'
=. Whom DO you represents Do YOU represent
Thomas c. Plnttl7 Interrupted Mr.. Beeknan.
Il represent over fifty leading citizens Of New
York" replied Mr.. Boardman, who have signed
petition in favor Of Mr. Fassetts bill That petition
will be signed by 5000 more as reputable men. MI
Icehmans ~ mahes no RIo'si}n i1r cCns' oio
admits that the city made great mistake when
ii disposed OF the street railway franchises without
getting any return for them. The Mayors bA.
moreover does not provide for any under ground rail
Passed the Arcade RAILWAY bill why not have a rapid
transit road under broadway ON tie cty's land ana
where the land therefore, would cost nothing II
Mayor Grant really wants rapid tran
cit in
ont Broadway; was it left out accdenlally1'
Nh Beekman-lt was not accidental
Mr. Boaidman-Thcn the MAYORS BIZ opens the
door to stock jobbng the bonds and stock, Of the
rapid transit road. Nor is any attempt made 10 cover
the bonded Indebtedness and to protect the bond
corporation can take possession Of any private property
ism Of which we have had too much in New York
ton II must be apparent to the members 81 these
committees that the present rapid transit laws lie up
a.. se eey va reaG No. t22 eyeey 70 "d plans ac
plan of construction Of these roads j., sufficient. and
tlcy should not be required to 90 into details. You
see. gentlemen, also. that the real question here
transit commissioners II is rather late for Mr. Beck
man to come here and ont for home rule. Nj.
commission II only applies 10 c,tlc, having alov,.
100000 Of inhabitants and therefore only 10 New
The chartors 81 ali onr cjfios are a-orpdcd icrn
do not understand that the Legislature has become 50
what elite demand KIM pobins can Ic oonc rrd.1
York give their consent. There is mo- intention on
our part u have this rapid transit commission over.
ride the local authorities. We are perfectly willing
and anxiOnS that the local authorities should give or
withhold their consent
our aim also is to keep this enterprise out OF
TIE HANDS Of Tammany fan. Mr. Beelunan say,
That he can find no fault with the commissioners VIC
name. Why cannot MavOr Grant the same thing
II he Is not satisfied with this lit OF commissioners
ii him suggest Others. Mayor Grant appointed Mr.
Croker as Chamberlain and Mr.. GrOy COmmi-s Ouci
Of Public Works simply because they were Tammary
Hall men. Every man that he has named for Office
has been a Tammany man.
senator Fassett-Oh. he appointed LOOnis at the
head OF the Street Cleaning Department.
Mr.. Bosrdman-YeS, and then Mr. LOOMS appointed
Edward Hacan machine Tammany politician a
MS deputy. That Is what protesting about
the MAYORS unvarying cndeavor 10 increase tho
power Of Tammany Hall
Senator Fassctt- suppose We should add an amend
ment, providing that the Republican, and tho Demo
Gratis should have equal representation IN the Board
Of Police
Mr. Bo@rdman-That Is a good amendment but
hnnI LnlGNn ND Lnilan MIN IN. /.