The evening world., 1894-05-23
FOR RAPID TRANSIT.
Chamber Of Commerce Has Control
Of the New Commission.
q win Probably Have Six Votes
to Tammany Two.
John Clafiin Disagrees with What
Mayor Gilroy Says.

: Now that the Chamber Of Commerce
Rapid Transit bill has received the sig
nature of the Governor, public interest
naturally centres on the question OF
when the new Commission will get to
work.
Very little light could be thrown on
this matter by the members Of the Com
mission seen by an Evening World'
reporter to-day. 1t was too soon. they
said, to make any definite statements as
to the course to be pursued. Alexander
u. Orr, John Clafiin and Mayor Gilroy
confined themselves to generalities In
speaking of the probabilities OF real
rapid transit in the near future.
Mr.. Orr said this morning: 1T would
not be proper for me to express myself
at any length until have met my col
leagues. There will be necessarily
great deal of preliminary work. The
former commission has smoothed the
way in some instances. and has done
work that will not have to be done
'T think the people of New York are
to be congratulated on the opportunity
offered them by the referendum clause
vote is taken, probably this Fall. the new
Commission cannot adopt any definite
John Clafiin. when asked II he could en-
tighten the public as to the future plans
OF the new Commission and when the
hrst meeting would be called. said:
Those are matters that II would not
An to the date of the first meeting, We
are just now all at sea- The question of
upon whom devolves the duty OF calling
Mayor Giiroy, as the first member
named In the bill. seemed to Mr.. Clafiin
70 b the proper person to call the meet
"Ycu may say. however" concluded
Mr.. Clafiin, that don't agree with Mr..
Galroy in his views expressed to the
morning p newspaper RdsseIH ssRresenItat,yes IL vsrv
modest and amiable frame of mind when
asked who would call the first meeting
Of the new Commission.
not ssa duss sSn snGw yet UPON Sheiner
possee esl and a@ 70 be as the Sne es
call the meeting you may depend ossT upon
II call the meeting It will be held in
my once. in all probability"
From other sources 1t was learned
would @ Be the chamber OF commerce
The first step will be to bring about a
temporary organization. One member
aen se nd The 70
meeting will be held there
There IL much satisfaction expressed
to-day at the fact that the new body
4 practically a Chamber Of Commerce
The fact that Alexander E. Orr was
named. az well as the President of the
Chamber OF Commerce Board, gives him
Q double claim to the office: There Is
an individual member Of the new Com
mission, but this will still make him
an ex-ofiicio member by virtue OF his
Presidency OF the Chamber Of Commerce
leave a vacancy in the Board, which
viii undoubtedly be flled by Charles
Stewart Smith, the retiring President OF
the Chamber. This will give the Cham
her Of Commerce a majority ever the
Comptroller Fitch, who Is member OF
(, the Rapid Transit Commission. said to-
day: 81 have not given the question OF
the constitutionality of the bill any con
Mayor in this direction ought to hav,
careful consideration, and the question
will doubtless be passed upon by thu
courts.
dictions as to whether or not the popu
lar vote will be in favor of the actio
contemplated In the bill. but am heart
lily glad to see some action taken. eve
II 1t be only in the direction OF an expert
msnt.
"The one great need OF the City c
New York is rapid transit. 1t is IA
more important than any city question
The delays in rapid transit have bee
most exasperating TO the general public
whom j meet a general expression {
satisfaction that some effort Is TO /
made to reach a result
Corporation Counsel Clark would nc
express an opinion, as he may be Gale
upon to give an opinion officially as I
the constitutionality Of the bill.