New-York tribune., 1896-04-02
BROOKLYN BRIDGE CHiNGES.

All the Intelligent people of Ncwlork and
Brooklyn became convinced years ago that the
Brooklyn Brdg" WAS shlmefully msmanaged
by the Board Of Trustees. The Investigation
made by the Committee on Cities of the last AS
-cmhly proved beyond doubt or dispute that
President Howell Democratic exMayor Of
BROOKLYN. whose administration while nj the
head Of the fourth city Of the Union had not
been glorious for the community. nor particular
" creliablc TO himself. had controlled the Bridge
In such way rs 10 prpuce thoroughly unsatis-
factory results The trustees appointed by
Mayor Strong were in no degree responsible for
the dcplorablc manner In which the Bridge had
been misgovcrn u. j. Scaver Page especially
did everything in his power TO bring about et
cheney and public spirit. but his efforts were
largely nulllicI by President Howell and those
members Of The Board who We're subservient TO
him. In the investigation carried on by the
Assembly Committee II was disclosed that Pres
ilcnt Howell was interested in one Of the Brook
lyn surface railroads In such fashion that he
could hardly be expected 10 do his full duty
ns a Bridge trustee. II Mr. Howell had been
a sensitive person, or II his ideas Of propriety
had been at all acute. he would have retired
promptly from all connection with the Bridge
after the exposure OF his relations TO the rail-
road company: but Democratic Mayors OF Brook
lyn have rarely been Influenced by Il keen sense
of honor or proprety. and II rule these Mayors
have been contemptuous and disregardful Of the
sentiments Of the most upright and conscientious
members Of the community.
The committee which conducted the invest!ga-
| ton has reported 10 the Legislature criticlsing
| ut length the manner In which tho Bridge has
| been managed. and melting out severe censure
| 10 the men accountable for the reprehensible
| methods 10y which public interests have been
| set aside in connection with this magnificent
| structure. The report recommends that the
| present Board OF Trustees be abolished that Il
| new Board he created to consist OF four mem
| bers. In which there shall NOT be any ex-otlcio
members, and that these trustees shall be ap-
| pointed by some competent representative au-
thoritles Of both cities. IL recommends that
| none Of the trustees shall be interested In any
firm or corporation contracting with or receiving
| privileges from the Bridge, and that any con-
| tract granted by the Board in which one Of the
trustees Is discovered to he interested Is to be
| null and void.
| The citizens and taxpayers OF the two great
| cities which are bound together by the Bridge
will probably greet this report with satisfaction
| and approval The Bridge needs the constant
|
| and Jealous care Of trustees who will give plen
~ Of time, plenty Of thought and plenty of hard
work 10 developing all It's possibilities for the
advantage OF the two communities which II
| connects 1t Is time to do away with the sys-
TEN OF ex-ofiicio trustees. who are 80 over
whclmcd with burdens, anxetes and RESPONSE
bilities in the offices which they I'LL that they
cannot give time enough and labor enough to
the affairs of the Bridge. 1t Is certain, not only
from the report OF the committee, but from
overwhelming evidence elsewhere. that the
abuses and evils which have been allowed to
encrust themselves upon the Bridge have be-
come conspicuously offensive and even intoler
able The legislation which is proposed by the
Cities Committee of the last Assembly appears
to be judlcious and sensible New-York and
Brooklyn have had enough OF President Howell
and his peculiar methods. II will be great re
| lief to both cities when ne is retired to private
ufa With the appointment Ian efficient Board