New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-19
SIGNED BEFORE MAY l.

~, THE COMMISSION If THE BILL Is
SIGNED BEFORE MAY l.
Tho favorable signs for the enactment OF the
Chamber Of Commerce Rapid Transit bill no" De-
fore the Legislature afford much satisfaction ~
business men in Ncw-York city. The dropping OF
the name Of Samuel u. Babcock and the suosu'u-
ton of William steinway the president OF the eA-
listing Commission. and the addition oil Johh H.
ctarin have given rise to some comment The first
section Of the bill provided that the Mayor oi NV"
York. ;he Controller other chief financial ofncer
~ the civ the president Of the Chamber OF COM
rnercc by virtue OF his office, and Samuel H. hao-
cock Seth Low. John Clahln and Alexander - VIZ
should be the Commissioners. II Is known 'ha'
charles Stewart Smith now president OF inc 'hal"
Der OF Commerce. is to retire on May from tIl"'
office. and il IL generally conceded that Alexander
J., orr will be his successor The law also provinces
that vacancies which may take place In the oilces
g., held by the persons specifically named as Sucn
commissioners shall be- filled by majority Vo'e Oh
the remaining members OF said board.
Il is suggested that. should the Legislature a'-
iourn on April 2G and the bin be ~ once approVe1
-. tho ,;overnot the addition Of Mr.. Starin TO the
commission would give to that body membership
OF eight instead Of seven. as Mr. Smith VIII con-
iinue AS president Of the Chamber until MAY l. m
amendment to the bill providing that the act Snoui
take effect on May instead Of "immediteY or
tho Governor Withholding his signature until the
rnerce was effected woull meet the dificulty
The Introduction OF the names Of Mr. Steinway
and Mr. Starin IS generally acceptable. As mem
her. Of the old Commission both arc familiar win
the subject and is admitted tna' ,h me sntnn T
will be- OF material assistance IN 'he Soi., , y.
the yexing problem Of rapid transit. Mr. Steln"ay
has made a thorough study Of the subject ana az
his own expense supplied photographs OF the Berlin
system and numerous maps and plans OF rape,
'beHS viii pass into The hands OF the new board.
MI Steinway mas been SusP,S'ep T - IPaiIrat
COMPANY but their existence he einphatlcay dehl"i
in an Interview prnied IN hr rDnh To, or Wits ha
declaration. ana his absolute Endorsement OF tho
Chamber Of Commerce BILL which he regards as the
Tho acceptance Of Mr. steinway viii depend. a.
he himself says, upon the condition. NOT ony 81 nv
own health bat Of that of some Of his personal bS-
Speaking Of the general outlook regarding the
would become law. II would Ike, however, M ne
and not six should constitute a quorum, and for
this reason: All the members named are men over
fifty years Of age and Of large business Interests
In the old Commission four constituted a quorum,
and the result was perpetual trouble IN sccurIns
will want TO be absent at times on business or
for vacation and rest Now. # they make SIX
that two may be necessarily absent at almost any
given date and proceedings will be blocked / woulI
make IL five 80 that we could arrange among our
selves to keep that number always present ana n3t
block the progress OF our WORK on account 81 az
senteeism This IS very essential. II seems 10 me-
and cannot lay toe much stress upon me I'm
iustod The commissioners are selected - do 1t as
soon as possible and some such plan as THIS WOULD
am sure. greatly facilitate The work
Mr. Stcnway Is enthusiastic and hop"ful thaf me
hill may ras- He added that. oven sh )ud he decline
To serve as Of the Commissioners he would al
ways hold himself in readiness II supply the board
with such benefits they might derive from his
three years Of experience in the way of information
and advice He declares that he wants to- see some
fruit Of his labOrs. oven though his own ideas may
not be fully indorsed by his colleagues Tho city
needs the service. he SAYS, and should have 1t as
and no
Rand Transit bill completely opens the way TO
practical solution Of the great problem.