Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-07
ALIVELY SESSION.

The Board of Public Works Wrestle
with the Question OF Granting the
State Street Road Permission to
Erect Poles on whitney Avenue-No
Action Taken-WiI1 be Discussed
Again Friday Night.
The Iveliest session of the board of pub
lie works held In recent years was held last
evening. The especial cause of the lively
session, was the question of granting the
State street railroad permission TO erect
poles on Whitney avenue for the purpose
of stringing electrical wires. AL the mem
beers of the board were present, including
Mayor Sargent. Among the others pres
emit were: Corporation Counsel Driscoll, 8.
Harrison Wagner, President Corey of the
State street road, and Attorney John G.
Gallagher.
Shortly after the meeting was called to
order Commissioner States started the ball
rolling by moving that the Whitney avenue
road be granted permission to erect poles
on Whitney avenue. This brought Com
missioner Sullivan to the front who, before
the motion could be seconded asked who
the directors of the Whitney avenue road
were. In reply to his query these names
were mentioned: Eli Whitney, jr., Francis
Wayland and g. D. Watrous. Commits
sioner Sullivan eaid that these gentlemen
az directors of the road owed the city $500,
which they refused to pay, on the ground
that the debt was outlawed. The debt was
an honest one, he said, and should be paid.
Commissioner Todd explained that the
gentlemen named were new members of
Il. - ~ khA Gko&a okr
| road, and while not directly participating
| in the management of the State street road
| would eventually receive the benefits from
| the stock.
| Attorney 8. Harrison Wagner then took
| his inning. He said that in 1887 the State
street road had leased the Whitney avenue
road, and that the corporation formerly in
control of that road still existed in the
directory of the new corporation. Some
time ago the court of common council
| granted permission to the State street road
| when the matter came before the board of
| public works the permission was refused
on the ground that the latter road owed
the city 1868 for pavement on Church
street.
| Commissioner Todd opposed the grant
| ing of the permit until after the debt had
| been paid, while Commissioner Asley took
1 the ground that 1t was a shame to prevent
the road from being equipped on a mere
| technicality and for a debt which it had
| not created.
S. Harrison Wagnsr stated that he be.
lieved If the Whitney avenue road had con.
tracted the debt they should pay it. The
State street road had leased the Whitney
| avenue road for ninety nine years, but did
| not assume the obligations of that road
| and had no power to compel them to pay
| them.
Corporation Counsel Driecoll then ex
planned at length the situation of the case.
He said that the Whitney avenue road had
| never appeared before the board, nor did
| they offer to sign the bond required by the
statute indemnifying the city for loss of
| life on the road, and should an accident
occur the city could not claim any damages
| from the Whitney avenue road. The, pc
| tition was presented by the State street
road, and they were the only party known
| to the court of common council. He also
| claimed the the only one to whom the
board could grant permit was the Whit
ney avenue road, which must give the
board naturalization, and this they had
failed to do.
Then followed several Interruptions By
Mr.. Wagner, to which the corporation
counsel responded by saying: "What you
have to say to me, Mr.. Wagner, you should
say te the board, and not go to the press
and instigate scurrilous articles about me.
| While am here am entitled to be treated
with respect" Order was finally obtained
and the hearing proceeded.
President Cornsy and Attorney Gallagher
strongly advocated the granting of the
permission in lengthy arguments, afte,
which President Corney and s. Harrison
Wagner agreed to incorporate the Whitney
avenue road in the contract given to the
city by the State street road.
The meeting then adjourned until Friday
night without taking any action in the
matter.