New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-08
THEIR TEMPERS RUFFLED.
ANGRY WORDS BETWEEN COMMISSIONERS
STARIN AND SPENCER.
RAPID TRANSIT WORK DELAYED BY 'cHE QUAR-
REL-NO BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT
YESTERDAYS MEETING.

HEL-NO BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT
YESTERDAYS MEETING.
For the first time in the history Of the Rapid
Transit Commission mn element OF discord that
led TO unpleasant personalities between some of
the commissioners occurred at yesterdays meet
ing Of the board, held at the house of William
Steinway. Commissioners Starin and Spencer
were responsible for it, and at one time the feel
ing between them became so bitter that per-
sonal encounter seemed imminent. II all came
about through remark made by M. Starn after
Mr.. Spencer had severely arragned him for oppO
stiOn to the rapid transit plan by new elevated
roads, proposed by the Manhattan Company. and
recently approved by every member Of the board
except Mr.. Starin, whose negative vote alone lad
been sufficient to kill it.
Mr.. Starin's remark was "We did not have
that interest in the Manhattan Company that you
have, and from all the pettyfoggng that you
have done ever since this commission has been in
existence it seems to me that there must be sonc-
thing behind it,
In q moment Mr.. Spencer was on his feet. He
was much excited and walking toward Mr. Starin
he said What do you mean? What interest do
you refer top
III tell you in a few minutes"
mo, you'll toll me now | want to say, that
Il
motive than 70 get the very best mode of Rapid
Transit possible for the people. he has lie in
his throat when he says so, or is so ignorant as
TO be unworthy of consideration
Mr.. Starin flushed. and "a panied look came to
his face He also rose TO his feet. and said Yes
I mean it. There has been something back of the
interest you have taken in putting forward tho
Manhattan Company's bid for the franchise"
Chairman Stenway then called for order, but
his request was unhecded by Mr.. Starin and Mr..
Spencer. Tho other members Of the commission
tried 10 auiet the two men, but filcir words had
little effect.
And repeat that it is lie, said Mr. Spen-
cer land l would like to add further that Mr.
Starin, while criticsing me for the work that
hayc done since / have been on this commission,
has lost sight Of the fact that he has done prac-
tically nothing. In fact, he has done more to
oppose rapid transit than any one on the COM
mission"
Mr.. Starn moved nearer to Mr.. Spencer, AMI
those present thought he was about to bring his
fists into play, but he only leaned his head close
10 Mr.. Spencer and said Il have no more to
say. What have said / have said, and de-
clare that will stand by it,
Mr.. hman said. when quiet had been re-
stored, that an apology was due to the Ooui-
mission from Mr.. Starin and Mr.. Spencer LOT
their unusual conduct. and that both men should
withdraw their remarks.
Nh STAIN THINKS MR. SPENCER 100 SENSITIVE
Tbi. thcy refused TO do hut Mr.. Starn said, in
answer to direct question from MT o'eih-
,,.v that he did not mean 10 nsinuate that
Mr. Spencer had q monetary interest IN t@
method OF rapid transit he favored.
.Mr Spenccr Is too sensitive" remarked MI
s,.sn He talks too much himself, and taxes
offence when others try to say word. he likes
10 hold the Hoor all the day, and employs ihos'
~ his time In passing remarks about me. doh
care however He can talk all ne wishes "
about me. lie only shows his ignorance
Mr. Steinwuy here interrupted Mr.. Starin ana
informed him that he was grossly out Oh oluer'
This ia too bad" said Mr.. Steinway. A'"r
wo have got along for two years wi'hou, Ill
angry word being spoken, you TWO geh'i'"'c"
sink 10 low personalities. 'Gentienleh' you wv,
too much to the community 10 LET your persoh'i
toc,;nos get the better o. you while you are
engaged in it's interests. am sorry-very SUIT.
The other commissioners. Messrs. lnman ana
pushe were also sorry. and Informed the hght-
inc commissioners that a retraction by Doth men
would be the only way TO restore harmony az
future meetings OF the commission
N much Of the time yesterday was taken up
he Mr. Starn and Mr. Spencer in their personal
ouarrcl that nothing Of any Importance was a.
comnlisbed by the commission. Mr. Starins piah
tor an In jependcnt elevated railroad on the east
ana wcst sides OF the city was considered ior
few moments, and Mr. Spencer wanted a vo'e
t.ken "a 70 whether or not that plan should DC
adopted and the franchise sold at auction
Mr. Stcipway said that such plan would need
more consideration
Mr.. Srenccr replied that that was all the COM
mission had done since 1t had been In existence
and that nothing OF any importance had ever
hccn ACCOMPLISHED The Starin plan was laid
over until .hc next meeting. The details OF TINS
plan have already been printed in The Tribune
srGGrsTING A DEAL WITH THE MANHATTAN.
MIR. Inman then suggested that n deal be made
with the Manhattan Company, but Mr.. Starln
interruptcd him by saying, II seems to me that
this commission has no one to trade with but
tho Manhattan Company. They have already
decided not to accept our proposltlon so let us
90 ahead and build our own road. came Ecrc
TO see something definite done
"There would have been something defnite
long before this, Mr.. Starin,' said Air. Stem
way. If you had not always been the one
opposing vote at all the meetings
Mfr. Spencer read statement In which he
disagreed with the comparative statements which
Mr. Starin made at the last meeting IN reference
10 the taxes paid by the elevated and surface
road. Mr.. Spencer stated that MIR. Starins com
munjcation had placed the commission IN false
ioht before the public, as importint facts lad
heen oycrIooked In the interest Of accuracy hr
presented a communication in which he sought TO
show thnt Mr. Starin's figures on taxation were
wrong. lie reviewed the ease and controverted
n number of Mr. Starins statements
Instead of the street railroads paying the city
Z ncr cent. as stated by Mr.. Starin, they only
paiG 40 per- cent 81 900, 900, according to to
Wr Spcncer II the Manhattan Company had
hccn taxed on the proposed eight miles oi exten-
sons in the same way as the street railroads taen
the company would only pay S6s,Ooo year tine
first three years and $4,000 year thereafter
and not S5li 900, as Mr.. Starin stated
MR.. sTARrN KILLS THE RESOLUTIONS
Mr.. Spencer then introduced the following reso-
buttons which were lost through Mr.. Starns neg
ativc vote The resolutions are an amendment 10
section ten and section fourteen OF the RESOLUTION
of April I2, which proposed to give tne hapiu
Transit privilege to the Manhattan Company:
Resolved. That the Manhattan Railway company
shall within two years after the completion OF lle
branch line or extension to Fort "eorge. constreo'
linz xyfth