New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-04
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CALLED FELLOWS A TRAITOR
F. A. THAYER ATTACKS THE DISTRICT.
ATTORNEY.
A HEARING ON THE QUESTION OF FRANCHISE
FOR THE WASHINGTON HEIGHTS ROAD
CAUSES SOME SHARP WORDS AND RE-
SIITS In BIDS BEING OFFERED

FOR THE WASHINGTON HEIGHTS ROAD
CAUSES SOME SHARP WORDS AND RE-
SUITS IN BIDS BEING OFFERED.
There exciting scene at the public hear
ing in the Aldermanic Chamber yesterday on the
application of the Third Avenue Railway Com
pany for the franchise for the Washington
Heights road. Distrct-Attorney Fellows ap-
peared in favor Of the company. After finishing
his argument, he bowed to President Jeroloman
and passed into the ante-room his way out.
Just as ne passed the door and was still in ear.
shot Of the Aldermen. F. A. Thayer. prominent
property-owner Of Washington Heights. VINO be-
lieves that the Metropolitan Traction Company
should have the franchise hustled up to him. and,
shaking his finger beneath the Colonels nose,
roared:
You're traitor!'
The tone of anger and the belligerent attitude
Of Mr. Thayer Immediately attracted score OK
persons around the two. friend OF Mr. Tnayer
said Come away. You are too excited now
Colonel Fellows attempted to take advantage Of
the Intervention and leave the ante-room. but Mr.
Thayer refused 70 be paciied and brushing his
friend to one side stepped in front of Colonel Fe-
lows and repeated with emphasis: You're
traitor. say" The repetition Of the accusation
was accompanied with a gesture OF contempt.
Colonel Fellows said: II don't want anything
to say TO you
"But do to you." persisted MI mayer. III
PIP began the angry man, choking with rage.
One Of the members Of the Board of Aldermen at
tracted by the high words, pushed his way
through the crowd and interposed himself be-
tween the men Colonel Fellows did not exhibit
any evidence Of anger. though he seemed excess
sively annoyed. Seeing that he could not escape
from the man in whose breast his speech ranked,
he turned around. and. facing his accuser. SAID
sarcastically: And you-we you are a patriot"
But the fine scorn that the Colonel employed
did not have the cutting effect that he desired
Instead 1t seemed to make Mr.. Thayer still moro
angry and trouble Of a serious character seemed
imminent. when Mr.. Thayer's friend almost
DIRE ggcd him away
ION what grounds do you make that accusa-
tion?" asked reporter.
"rm TOO excited TO talk now" said Mr.. Thayers
mopping his brow and scowling at Colonel fei-
lows's retreating form. From another source II
was learned that Mr. Thayer thought tnat, as
Colonel Fellows had previously criticised the
Third Avenue Railroad, he had broken faith with
the residents Of Washington Heights in their at
tack on the company by defending It,
Colonel Fellows was not visibly affected by the
encounter az he stopped in the hallway ana gave
to Assembyman Miller his personal reasons ZOE
favoring the Third Avenue Company The AsS
semblyman is strongly In favor OF the Metropolis
tan Traction Company and he also expressed sur
prise at the attitude OF the Colonel.
The advocates OF the Metropolitan Traction
company were heard by the Board OF Aldermen
on Saturday afternoon, and yesterday the Inra
Avenue Companys claims were voiced.
Colonel Fellows, In the role OF Washington
should go to the Third Avenue Company. He saio
that that company had been the pioneer In tho
terr,orv had invested 81 O00 900 In an enterprise
that at the time scoffed at by the other com'
ranies and declared that 1t would be most uhJus0
10 rob the company Of the road that was 10"
having property He declared that all ne pos
sessei in this world was his property al " ash-
,ngton Heights. and he thought that all property
there would be benefited by the Inird Avenue
Company having the franchise. He ackowiedgeo
that he had found fault IN time gone by with the
Third Avenue Company. but said that MS CONS
ulaints had been attended to, and that the coiiis
pany promised to afford the desired facilities. He
said that the Metropolitan Traction Company pro.
posed to grab St Nicholas-ave.. that the avehue
was an approach TO the Speedway and that the
nresence Of the tracks would imperil HE, as tho
avenue would be crowded With vehicles
George c. Smith, Edward Lauterpach ana
Marks Ashe spoke in favor Of the Third Avenue
ROAD. ,,..,,.-
Mr. Robinson a lawyer for the Metropoii'an
Traction Company, caused a sensation oy declar.
ing that his company would pay the city sloo.Vov
in addition to the percentage PROVIDED LOT py .no
statutes IL the Board gave the francnise 10 MS
company. ~ ...oh
.'I'u 20 YOU better" shouted Mr. Lauteroacns
MY company will pay a quarter OF million doi-
lars ,,,,,, ,,s
"Gentlemen, protest at this bidding here. II IS
br.bing the city, 70 speak. said AloerHa"
Goodman and the opposing counsel desisted
There is a strong sentiment In the minus OK
many people that neither Of the two companies
really deserves the desired franchise This feel
ing il based on the fact that the Third Avenue
COMPANY has never made an adequate return 10
the city for the immensely valuable franchises II
row has and that the mserably poor arrange
ments OF the Metropolitan Traction Company
for transferring passenger TO and from Colum-
| hus-aye Fifty-thrd-st. and Seventh-aVe cause
| much dissatisfaction. The fact that the two
companies are beginning to bid for the IRAN
| ch,se may however. mean that the city VIII IN
time get some tolerabe return for the use OF the
streets and public sentiment may compel the
Traction Company 10 give the people TttIe pet'er
treatment than is now afforded In the matter OF
the Columbus-ave. transfer