New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-30
WATCHING THE ALDERMEN.
BROOKLYN CITIZENS SUSPICIOUS OF THE
RAILROAD COMMITTEE
THE REPORT ON THE EAST RIVER AND ATLANTIC
OCEAN COMPAYY's TROLLEY FRANCHISE To
BE HELD BACK UNTIL. THE LAST HOUR

THE REPORT ON THE EAST RIVER AND ATLANTIC
OCEAN coMPAYY's TROLLEY FRANCHISE 10
BE HELD BACK UNTIL. THE LAST HOUR
4 TALK WITH MIRABEAU L TOWNS.
The Railroad Committee OF the Brooklyn Board
OF Aldermen II IS expected. will report TINS morn
ing on the application Of the East River ana Al
lantic Ocean Railroad Company for Franchises COW
erlng miles of the best streets OF Brooklyn about
an hour and a half before the Board Will act on
that report and the propertyowners in those streets
who have been protesting against the granting Oh
those franchises are fearful that the report vii,
be a favorable one and have been preparing tnem-
selves to prevent, by extreme measures Il neces-
sary, the final granting OF the privileges 10
the company II was rumored yesterday that
members of the Railroad Committee had been
Swallowed by detectives in the interests OF
the property-ownc-s. A Tribune reporter last
night saw Mrabeau l.. Towns. who represents
property-owners of Pacifc-st, Ewen-st, Ciasson-
ave- and half a dozen other streets and asked him
about the developments which. it was rumored. may
take place to-day. Mr. Towns reviewed the pro-
ceedings in the matter Of the application Of Mr.
Flynns company and spoke of the hearings before
the Railroad Committee on December > ana De-
cember a. the latter being devoted TO hearings on
the Brooklyn Heights lines applications. Then ne
continued follows:
The Railroad Commission has made report
it seems. If 1t has, il is keeping il secret Inc
newspaper since last Friday have been apply
ing every day to find what that report VIII be, ana
they told that it would rot be given out until
about II o'clock tomorrow Monday morning. This
exctes great suspicion on the part OF the public
that the report will be against the citizens Of
Brooklyn. II the report going TO be
favorable there would be no reason for keeping
II secret The only reason sensible peopIe, see IN
Board meeting Is that legal prqceedings VIII 90
hope by delaying the report until the last
hour. TO stop such proceedings The citizens
Association, comprising thousands or taxpayers,
is filed with alarm by the prevalent
rumors that the Aldermen will endow the East
River and Atlantic Ocean Railroad Company Win
these valuable franchises. worth 10 the company az
least ssOcOOOCO which would result in the depreca-
ton OF the property OF taxpayers the extent OF
I've claim that the company has no legal ex;
under the laws Of 1885. having submitted
plan Of its routes TO the Railroad commsson I
of the State, and hence being unaDe 10 even eject
we propose to enjoin the Mayor OF the city, II
the company these valuable rights. precedent
for injunction against the Board OF Aldermen
There is no other way to account for the action
bers s Of it have been Improperly influenced or are
ashamed of what they are going to 90 although !,
the last mo nent. ... ~. b -,
fected by a threatened Wholesale disposition Of
the matter have not been idle for the last SIX
Tss Railroad not op "a"
sleep. but they watched vigilany me actions or
Z.
y. They hope and believe that they are in
a position to protec; themselves against any wrong
full act the part Of their servants.
III the attempt shall be made tomorrow to give
away these valuable franchises without public COM
petition each of these vast corporations pc
tit,oning for them the members OF the Citizens Ex
ing who responsible for the wrorg. They have
kept themselves well informed or the actions ana
Intentions of their representatives.
NO, personally have no! had detectives shadow
ing the Aldermen. Where the Executive Committee
got accurate information OF everything that has
taken place cannot say. but you may imagine
how IL done.
If the committee shall report In favor OF Flynn's
or the other road shall Immediately enjon the
Mayor mis- successor from signing the FRANCHISE
as far as the East River and Atlantic Ocean Ran.
road Is concerned on the ground tnat IL ~ not prop
erly organized.
Mr. Towns was asked whether watching had de-
veloped anything suspicious in the relations OF tho
Railroad Committeeman and the applying compa-
niles.
He said that best could be told by watching de-
velopments.
Yes" he said, II think there will be a sensation
way another. because II would be somewhat
sensational II the Railroad Committee after all
should report unfavoraby on the application
II can't say anything much more definite be-
don't want TO threaten our public
wants. What would you DO If you had valuable
property you had TO leave? Hire to
of Brooklyn do If their property threatened"
asked Mr.. Towns. Anyhow he said. there are
enough members OF the citizens organization who
know the committeeman, without the absolute
necessity OF hiring detectives.
Fourteen years the Board OF Aldermen
granted franchise 10 the Brooklyn Elevated Rail.
they sent to Raymond Street JAN for con.
tempt OF court. besides having to pay large fines
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