New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-14
GREATER NEWBORN PLANS.
A STATEMENT BY A. II. GREEN. PRES1-
DENT OF THE COMMISSION.

RADICAL CHANGES ARE TO BE AVOIDED AND
EVERY STEP IS TO ZEE TAKEN WITH
DELIBERATION AND CAUTION.
The Greater New-York Commission held Its first
meeting since the election yesterday In the offices
of the New-York and New-Jersey Bridge Company,
at No. PA Broadway. The following members
were present: President Andrew II. Green Vice
President j. s. T. Stranahan. John II. Brncker-
hor Frederick W. Devoe. George H. Greenfield.
John l.. Hamilton. Edward F. Linton. Calvert
vaux and William d. Vedder
Mr.. Green read statement suggesting the plan
OF procedure which the Commission should follow,
in which he said:
This Commission has now before II task and
duty OF great responsibility. more weighty than
often arises In municipal affairs That task lies
in devsing the necessary bills for submission to
the Legislature at Its coming session. as the
foundation OF the metropolis. and to prepare
the machinery for it's government. Philosophers
and theorists have heretofore drawn In their closets
charters for cities unborn. In unpeoped regions,
which have proved ineffective and unavoidable ns
they began to be needed. This Commits
sion has to undertake practical and vastly diner-
ent cast OF work and while its deliberations for
the last four years have done much toward n COM
prehension OF the general scheme Of consolidation,
It scarcely need be said that patience. the most
careful consideration and much labor OF a technical
many governments now existing of various forms
and under divers conditions In the proposed area.
I'VE need not be surprised II from some quarters
hear manifestations OF Impotence that the bene
fits OF consolidation do not appear promptly as
WAS hoped. and from others apprehensons Of added
burdens Of taxation and debt. The transition from the
existing forms OF administration of public
affairs in these various cities and towns to single
government that Is 10 give effect TO the proposed
union without shock or detrment to any interests
will require the most considerable, deliberate and
intelligent handling.
AT the outset It will. think be admissible to
frame the to be submitted to the Leslslat
ure Of rather general character a framework or
-k'leton OF cons lidation accompanied with an
authoritative declaration that these different. munC
pdlit.cS shall constitute one city. win one executive
head. local Legislative body fairly repI sentative OF
every district, with adequate powers ana common
jurisdiction over the whole area. leaving minor de-
tails 10 be supplied from time 70 time as hitting
occasion offers.
Government AMI administration as existing
in the various municipalities must be preserved ef-
fectlve until the machinery for the administration
OF the greater city is provided, equipped and put in
motion
Among the first provisions OF practical union
will the extension OF police AMI health jurlsdlc
ton Owe. the whole area, and see no reason WY
this not be promptly done. IL would certainly
do much In the furtherance or economy ana en-
cheney in these departments and be very beneficial
This Commission has no partisan aims or OBJ
iects. II does not propose - disturb any person IN
place property powers. but rather - facilitate
ana render the transactions OF public business more
economy In all its departments.
Commissioner Stranahan said: Il am well pleased
with the moderate tone OF the communcatoh anu
uiIes,ed indicate the preliminary legislation ncces-
sary when he finds time.
The motion was unanimously carried.
Ther- was discussion OF details. and then the
Commission Adjourned