New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-05
PTBLIC CONTROL or FRANCHISES.
OBJECTS OF AN ASSOCIATION FORMED RE-
CENTLY-SCME or IT'S MEMBERS

The Association for tho Public Control OF Fran
chises is n society recently organized for tho pur-
pose OF promoting public control of those services
which depend upon rights in public property 1t
will further it's object by the maintenance OF
bureau OF information. the publication OF maya
zine devoted to the interests Of the association
the preparation and distribution of appropriate
literature and by the establishment of local educa-
tional clubs, especially in the industrial! regions OF
the city and Of a general lecture bureau 10 supply
these and other organizations with speakers. He
ing non-partsan, it will lend equal educational as
sisance 10 all political and civic organizations
which indorse the principles OF the association. In
addition to the general work Of popular education
upon the subject of franchises. IT will look out FOR
the interests Of the public in particular grants by
representation through counsel at the public hear
ings before the Municipal Assembly and the Mayor
Members Of the association are entitled TO re-
ceive copies OF the magazine and OF all literature
published by the association cards 10 all lectures
held under its auspices. and annual reports OF the
work accomplished by the organization.
The office Of the association is in Room 10 OF
the Trinity Building No. III Broadway
The platform Of the association, taking It's text
from the new charter. as follows:
INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF THE CITY IL lie
PROPERTY
Section Il The rights Of the city in a ana h TO i;s
water. public landings wharves docks. streets
avenues parks and ali other public places are
hereby declared inalienable
'Franchises." Title !. chapter ;.
The Charter for the Greater NeW-No rk. ,.,.
/ All franchises which depend upon exclusive
rights in public property should he grantee ol!laa
FOR public purposes and for limited perlods' anu
should he made to contribute from their Na.ne Gre
ated by the community. their full snare OF punIlc
expenses thus relieving personal properly, Dull
ngs and other improvements from the increasing
burden OF taxes. ,, ,,,oo ra,bor
than capital or production. which are the creation
of individual EFFORT. should be the primary source
of public revenue. ., ,oo,
2 Tho Government must control natural nonop-
olios Chose public services which. from their nat
ure do not admit of competition; otherwise these
monopolies will control the Government.
( such public monopoes are not natural
monopolies should be preserved to free ana open
competition.
Among those who have Endorsed the movement
are the following citizens Of Greater New-fork
Bishop Potter tho Rev. Drs. w. s. Rainsford.
Charles H. Parkhurst and David II. Greer Cen
cral Wager Swayne John y. Stewart. PROFESSOR
+ A. r. Selisman, Colonel Frederick d. Grant
Theodore Sutro Gustav II. Schwab, John De Wit
Warner Albert Shaw. Thomas q: Shearinah ia
cob a RHe' Edward NJ Grout. f. Ellery Anderson.
Aldermen Frederick y. Ware ana BenJamln r.
Hall John : Huyler, II. L. Wilson, }. VI. gregory
Jerome O'Neill Edward McHugh. W D0dsWorth.
Charles II. Dow, Edward King AIiTed iHshop
Mason James g. Reynolds. Ernest H. Crosoy.
Charles Sprague Smith. W. H. Tolman PROFESSOR
A. H. Woodford J.. r. L. Gould. a Augustus
Heay. Preble Tucker and many members OF ,'ood
Government clubs. ana social REFORM tax REFORM
and labor organizations.