New-York tribune., 1895-12-13

IT IS MORALLY WRONG-WHAT TAX
PAYERS THINK ABOUT IT.
nh. citizens taxpayers and intelligent people
=, r,ooklvn whom James Howell, president of
~. Bridge trustees calls cranks. are indignant
hen they think that M. Howell and Seth L.
,-a,ev another trustee have been acting for
~. Bridge and at the same time have been in
crested in the Brooklyn Heights Railroad Com
NV which wants privileges on the expensive
Plaza.
Tribune reporter yesterday talked this
.,h,ect with number OF well-nformed Brook
,,nites Nearly all otgthem believe that the con-
xton Of things revealed at the Assembly Cities
.ro,r1ittee investigation is serious and demands
,Jngent and prompt action. They believe that
~,, Howell and Mr.. Keeney having their right
sands on trolley railroad stock and their left
hands on Bridge affairs have found. and will find
a impossible 10 keep their right hands from
,,owne the action of their other hands In plain
,o,ss these people believe that Mt the next ses-
.,on q the Legislature action should be taken
>seh will eliminate from the Board of Trustees
.rv person and all persons having entangling
smances with companies and individuals who ask
ssyors Of he Board
True Mr. HOwells stock Is said 20 be In the
Rrooklyn City and not In the Brooklyn Heights
con1pany: but that is pall:ation OF the offence
with which pdbc sentiment charges him. in
comnary with NJ. Keeney. because the Brooklyn
heights and the Brooklyn City railroad com
NAMES are distinc; in name. but not in interest.
Brooklynites are not astonished because the
,-ollev lne companies are trying TO steal part Of
,be Bridge Plaza The action OF the companies
wss 10 be expected Brooklynites have got be-
>,nd mere surprise at the comprehensive
daoi-v ot the companiec demands These con-
cs~ns having had the boldness to insist upon
ea.tine franchises covering hundreds of miles OF
Rrooklvn streets in direct defiance OF public SEN
f.n1ent cannot amaze the taxpayer by greedy
epulications for privileges. Their applica tions
have been consistently audacious. But that TWO
-. The Bridge Trustees. servants Of the people.
whose interests they should guard. have pretend
I'd 10 serve the public while retaining stock in
companies assailing public sentiment and inter
est and do maintain that iii Is all right
his does astonish the people Of Brooklyn. They
believe that Nj. Howell and Mr.. Keeney have
been falls to their trust They believe that
Trustees who are in favor Of sacrificing the
Plaza 10 d trolley line. while they are "dabbling
N the stocks" Of those lines should be removed
frpm office More than that any Trustee who rs
in favor Of sacrificing the Plaza and public IN
terest is not looked upon with confidence by
Brooklynites
These are plain words. but they the re
PRODUCTION in print OF words spoken to a 7. ibune
reporter yesterday by Brooklyn taxpayers. The
president Of the Board of Trustees has admitted
civ Company. or II Brooklyn Heights Com
panv: ii doesn't matter at all which company II
"a He saws he is sorry ne doesn't own more CT
n He saws he sees no improperly or harm In
voting on the Plaza or other Bridge questions
while owning that stock Mr.. keeney is tarred
with the same stick" Both of these men favor
giving the Plaza t. the trolley companies, be
cause 1T is necessary fer the convenience OF the
public
This is what Mayor Schieren, Of Brooklyn.
thinks Of the situation Although he hesitates
,n criticising his associates. he said yesterday;
Il certainly should not care TO occupy such
dual postion In the first place do not think
IL prudent 10 lay orc self open 10 criticism as
Mr. Howell and Mr. Keeney have done.
III : legal for man TO do So butt shouldh
d. H. ! never had any stock. ana as Mayor
would not hold stock in any railroad company
in the city. One OF my Commlssloners was d
large owner Of railroad stock. but he disposed
Of i before he accepted once lhdt was '"e
proper thing 10 do. o.
1t was amusing" continued the Mayor 20 see
how President Rosster. when some proposltloh
INVOLVING expense 10 his company was mace az
the Plaza hearings would turn 10 MI Ne-meS ..
"a ssv. we can't do that. can We, Mr keeney
:, .hars wera no other way h accommodate the
n,hlic except by giving them the Plaza II wouio
-. ne So bad Il do so. but there are three OI
f,,,r other wavs They will cost the company
something though, while they want to set 'he
Plaza for mere nothing ,.,o ha
Nayor Schieren. being asked whether ne
"a, 40 companv would finally get H. re-
IN the present trustees remain IN once 'ii'"N
The railroad companies have great holu
-, hts citv In many ways. continued lne Ma o. 20:
..Nhy in a suit involving only penalty OF 80
me array Of counsel they nave II a"i'7
~ stagger the average lawyer