New-York tribune., 1894-04-07
MR. LEXOW DEFENDS HIS BILL
HIS VIEWS ON THE RAPID TRANSIT
PROBLEM.
cprrrcrsrNG THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEAS
rRE-sHouLD THE TAMMANY OFFICIALS

CRITICISING THE CHANDLER of eO'f'Ht'~" ''"~~
rRE-sHouLp THE TAMMANY OFFICIALS
PREFERENCES BE CoNsIDERED7
c,o,a Senator Clarence Lexow Is somewhat an
moved bv the criticism OF his course In the LesS
lature respecting rapid transit for New-iorS C''y
He paced the floor of his Liberty-st' once yes'er
day afternoon and talked earnestly III explaining
the reasons for his opposition to the ChanDer OF
commerce bill and in setting forth the beauties
his own rapid-translt measure he sai'' Inc
Chamber OF Commerce bill Is open 20 two objections
on constitutional grounds either OF which would
arilv cause the Governor to veto II II II were
passed by the Legislature. 1t practically violates
the constitutional provision prohibiting MUNICH
pality from loaning its credit TO an INDIVIDUAL or
corporation 1t provides for the building OF rrid
at TIE expense OF the city for corporation which
,s to lease II for long term tnat II pracueaiy
obtains the road In fee. The bill also names ths
Commissioners in the bill. and the Governor ma.
already held more than once that sucn appointments
can be made only by the Governor or ,he iocaa
authorities and he has vetoed every DH IN WHICH
the persons to hold the offices are named Inc Ole
Is also Objectionable, as having the uh-AheiNss
provision continuing in perpetuity as menoer
the commission the person who may De the pre~
dent of the Chamber OF Commerce.
..The Chamber Of Commerce bill is also oojectnr
able as providing for the building or the ROAD oy
wide departure from accepted municipal iuhct"ns
without any approval by the citizens OF the pan.
The city authorities all opposed to the oh' ana
the voters have said that they want such .
road built at public expense. The bill says tnas us
commissioners shall build the road. The construc'
t,on OF the road will cost 100000, and business
men admit that II will not be profitable for nVe OF
ten years at least. II the Republican major'V
directs that the work be done. against the protesu
OF the city authorities and without SUBMITTING CIV
measure vote of the cftisens. it taxes o" ''~n
rial ofa MI
least doubtful.
.-rhe bill which introduced by request has passed
the Senate by a unanimous vote and Is now az thlru
reading in the Assembly. II contains the provision
that the Mayor shall appoint three COMMISSIONER
only two OF whora shall be OF the same party "hHe
six OF the seven Commissioners under the Chafhoe'
OF Commerce bill would be Democrats The sugses
ton has been made that the commission should %
b,-partIsan That idea had not occurred TO me o
fore but think should be In favor OF an a'ie""'
INV hill contains a referendum clause. so that
the whole matter will be referred TO the people OK
sn ne city oberwse II insy it vS will not II the citizens do
want a rapid transit road none VIII De pulS anu
nsg Senator aH Lexo% was asked as TO effect Ot n:
provision that additional elevated ROADS sh9no %
hundred md twenty-slxth-st or on any street .!
avenue soutn OF the Harlem River not are"oy uSeS
He said: MY attention was not called 70 tnat ns,
provision until day or two ago, aI.hougn & 'e usess KS
has been before the Legislature lOi eohte
If the erect of that provision would be to give any
additional monopoly to the Manhattan company /,
should be in favor OF changing IL, although 20
not know that the people OF New-fork want any
additional avenues occupied by elevated
/ may say that | am not in favor or that sectIoa
as il stands since II has been brought 10 my
notice" .,,u, ,....o- T az.
When asked as the origin OF the bill Senator Le,
ow said: ut was brought TO my office by presaenss
OF labor and trades unions. The delegation OF tet I,
ssntatives OF these unions filed my office. ana y
was represented me that the measure me. Win u.
the annroyal OF all their organizations II was ~.
| trodnced In the Assembly by Arthur c. Butts wnSS
has shown Independence In political matters, srs
no objection was made TO It, so that IL passen u"a"
| imousy." ,,, 49,. q, ,,oud
be a dangerous thing for the Republican pary. ~
,ha state 10 force upon the city In defiance oil tns
city authorities measure which had not neen s M
proved by the people. and he thougnt thss Viii Mii
such slight changes as he had Indicated tne v.'
which had passed the Assembly and was now. now 0u ;r
fore the Senate would be more ADVANTAGEOUS "
every respect.