New-York tribune., 1894-04-29
TRYING TO PREVENT A VETO.
A COMMITTEE TO PLEAD WITH GOV.
FLOWER FOR RAPID TRANSIT.

APPROVAL FOR THE BILI1-A MAss-MEETING
pRoposED-THE MANHATTAN ELEVATED.
METROPOLITAN TRACTION AND TAM
MANY TRIPLE ALLIANCE
The Chamber of Commerce Special Committee
on Rapid Transit met yesterday morning to dis
cuss what steps should be taken toward getting
a favorable action by Governor Flower on the
Rapid Transit bill. 1t was decided to send letter
to the Governor, requesting him to hear COM
rittee from the Chamber on the bill now In his
- hands.
Charles Stewart Smith. president OF the Chamber.
said after the meeting that the people VINO had
opposed the Rapid Transit bill now engaged
In getting signatures to petition which would be
sent to the Governor. asking him to veto the Dill.
''For these reasons" said Mr. Smith. Il am In
favor of prompt steps being taken by the friends
Of the BILL and hope that a mass-meeting will be
held next week at which the people will speak out
and the Governor will know the real feeling on the
rapid transit question don't fear that the people
Of this city will vote against the proposal con-
tanned in the Rapid Transit BILL because 1t Is such
necessity for the people that its opponents will not
be able to influence the vote of the masses against
it,"
TO GET THE PUBIIC"S OPINION ON ALI. THE BILLS.
1t was suggested at the meeting yesterday by
representative of the City Club and heartily In
dorsed by the Chamber Of Commerce, that mass
meeting be held this week at which all the bills
affecting this city which are now In the hands OF
the Governor should be discussed and the opinion
of the people these measures expressed al TINS
meeting sent TO Governor Flower.
THE TRACTION COMPANY's SPOON IN THE BROTH
The passage OF the Rapid Transit act by the Leg
islature is regarded by huge majority of the peo-
pie In the city OF New-York with pleasure and
satisfaction 1t is known now that the long
struggle is over who the real opponents OF this
measure For some time a belief existed that
the Manhattan Railway Company was the only
opponent, and that the lobby at Albany was sus-
tanned from that quarter; but within few days
indications have TO the surface which so 10
show that it was also the Metropolitan Traction
Company, backed by Tammany Hall People in
this city who desirous OF seeing rapid transit
have TO the conclusion that there has been
an organized attempt the part Of the Manhattan
Elevated Railway Company and the Metropolitan
Traction Company, both indorsed by Tammany Hall.
to defeat the rapid transit BILL and 1t is the geneT-
ally accepted opinion that every pressure will be
brought to bear upon Governor Flower 20 have him
veto the measure. The Metropolitan Traction Com
pany has been an active agent in the opposition 70
the Chamber OF Commerce rapid transit bill There
essed in the Metropolitan Traction Company; and
anything that will tend to prevent me srapoiing
company or to give a chance any company
that will compete with it, will be opposed by Tam
many. John u. Crimmins. as is well known is
largely interested in these surface lines; the In
telligence is given forth that Governor Flower holds
he is not anxious 10 see an underground rival such
as Is provided for by the Chamber of Commerce
bill.
There are other members Of Tammany Hall who
said TO be interested in the Traction Company.
including high officials. and 50 II is readily seen
why Tarnmany has been so opposed to the Chamber
of Commerce Rapid Transit bill and why 1t Will
send petitions 10 Governor Flower not 10 sign the
bill.
1T WILL BE A BURNING QUESTION
II the Governor should sign the bill Tammany
Hall hopes defeat its purposes at the polls next
November. The referendum clause makes this pos
sibe. and so rapid transit viii be one of the fore
most issues on which the triple alliance OF Tam
many Hall, the Manhattan Elevated Railroad Com
lany and the Metropolitan Traction Company VIII
fight. The Huckleberry Railroad bill was put
through the Legislature in the interests Of the
Metropolitan Traction Company by Tammany
'statesmen." The Traction Company Will oppose
all legislation which will give this city rapid transit
rapid transit system wouid hurt keenly the land
grabbing Metropolitan Traction Company. the Man
haitian Elevated Railroad Company and their
backer Tammany Hall