New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-05
TIE PEOPLE MAY DECIDE.
A QUESTION AS TO MUNICIPAL OWNER
SHIP OF RAILROADS.
THE ASSEMBLY HAS PASSED A BILL TO SUBMIT
1T TO TIE VOTERS OF CITIES. AND ALSO
ORDERED a SEARCHING INVESTIGATION
INTO THE AFFAIRS OF RAPID

INTO THE AFFAIRS OF RAPID
TRANSIT COMPANIES.
Albany. April GpeciaD.-The agitation of
the question Of municipal ownership of street
railroads received unexpected boost in the
Assembly to-day. that body not only passing
Mr. Conklngs bill for the submission of the ques-
ton of street-railroad ownership to the voters
of the cities of the State. but also on Mr.. Nix
on's suggestion ordering sweeping legislative
investigation of the condition and management
of the street railroads. surface and elevated,
now operated within municipalities. Mr.. Nixon,
who is chairman Of the Assembly Committee
on Railroads. has been for some time an ardent
advocate of the transfer to the shoulders of the
municipality Of all the burdens and manage
ment of interurban transit. and a week or two
ago announced himself an active champion Of
Mir Conkngs Submission bill.
Assuming that this measure would encOunt er
but little opposition In the Assembly to-day,
Mr. Nixon had prudently prepared a plan To
make its passage really effective, by furnishing
an opportune exhibit of the workings of the
present system, which might be useful In guild
ing public sentiment at the municipal election
next fall. when the question of ownership, by
the terms of the Conking bill, is to be decided
nv the voters. The Submission bill did so
through this morning without the slightest dif-
fculty no one rising TO say word against H.
and having seen il safely passed by over
whelmng majority. Mr.. Nixon at once brought
forward his resolution. which. despite protest
from Mr.. Answorth the majority leader, was
also agreed to- Under It's terms Speaker flsh
is TO appoint special committee OF seven
which is empowered to sit both during the
present session and after adjournment, ana 10
make a searching inquiry into the financial
history and condition, the methods of opera
ton and the degree Of efficiency OF the street
railroad in every city of the State. a partial
report is expected to be made before the ehd
of the present session. and final report before
the November election or at the assembling OF
the Legislature next January. The text or ME-
Nixons resolution Is as follows
Whereas The sentiment in favor Of municipai
ownership of franchises. the profits OF Whicii ar
various cities' is growing throughout The state TO
such extent as 10 demand popular S"'c "po"
Whereas. 4 bin is before this legislature. pro
viding for submission TO a vote OF the people OF
the various municipalities OF the state H' ~
of municipaI ownership OF the street AMI elevated
railroads Of the various cities; anu ..,,.. - .r
Whereas. 1t has been charged rcIeatrliX IN inc
newspapers of Brooklyn and New YORK mat Ger
tain railroad companies in the cIN Oh n,VoH 80 /.
and have leased their roads foreign corporations
and included in these charges is the accusations
fraudulently from the treasury or wasted by ne
managers OF the company leasing SAID road ana
that the stockholders Of the said companies nave
been unable to ascertain even the cost "a cum
struction of the roads referred TO- .,
Resolved. That committee OF seven members OF
this House be appointed by the speaker, "h"s'
duty IL shall he examine all matters pertaining
to the cost of construction, expense or ol'idtoh'
general Of the surftc" am "!'N"i" J
railroads of the various cities Of the state. ana
sucn other matters pertaining 70 sdd roadS as WI
give TO the people OF these municipalities proper
Information upon the question OF IN" prontS ni
said enterprises upon which 10 baS" tH"iT 1iiE-
ment as 10 the deSirability OF municipal OWn'rShp'
said committee 10 report 70 this House whatever
investigation may be made previous 20 me al
iournrnent OF this Legislature; said committee 70
et after the adjournment OF this l."glsl thTc ior
the purpose OF making such investigation IN any OF
the cities Of the State and said committee Is mere
bv empowered TO send for persons and papers. 20
other assistance may be required Tor such IN
vestigation and to incur such expenses IN INC
premises as may be necessary 10 carry into erect
the purpose Of this resolution
The resolution was adopted by vote Of " 70
G. The following members voted against II.
Babcock. Brown. Billiard, w. a. Clark, lioughtoh
and Kelsey.
Mr.. Conklings bill. which was passed. - to s.
provides that at the next general election 'th'ic
shall be submitted TO vote Of the dGly quaHH'I
electors Of each city OF the state the question oi
the ownership by such city OF the franchises
within It's boundaries 81 all street railroads,
whether operated On or below the surface Of the
street and including also elevated railroads. ana
irrespective of the motive power which may be
used in such railroads" The vote on the owner
shin question is to be by separate ballot, and all
technical errors in marking or depositing ballots
are to be expressly waived.