New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-15
pLATT. CROKER e. co. AGAIN.
FIRM NOW PROPOSES TO GRAB THE
RAPID TRANSIT COMMISSION
SENATOR ELLSWORTH. ACTING FOR THEM. PRE-
sENrs A BILL TO SET Up NEW BI-
PARTISAN COMMISSION APPOINTED
BY MAYOR VAN WICK.
lpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBCNf-I
Albany March 14.-Rchard Croker and Thom-
.s C. Plat tonight threw off the fimsy masks
,rev have been wearing during this session Of
the Legislature. and openly made deal for the
division between them Of one of the great New
work City commissions. Senator Ellsworth, Mr..
pats leader OF the upper house. introduced
a bill to abolish the present RAPID Transit
commission and authorize Mayor Van Wyck to
.nnoint a bipartisan commission Of two Fiatt
penublicans and two Croker Democrats in It's
place.
II should not be subject Of astonishment that
Senator Ellsworth has introduced this measure.
M- Platt brought about the election of Tam
many Hairs candidate for Mayor and as soon
as Nj Van Wyck took office he exhibited in
,e-se hostility 20 the Rapid Transit Commission,
while the Tammany leaders began demanding
the resignation of the Rapid Transit Commits
sioners II was also intimated that no plans OF
,ns Commission would meet with the favor Of
Tammany Hall Last week the Tammany Sena-
tors and Assemblymen gave the first intimation
that Richard Croker had made deal with
Thomas c. P,att 10 seize the patronage Of the
Rapid Transit Commission by putting in their
programme Tor legislation a plank favoring "a
practicable system Of rapid transit under fair
commission"
Senator Ellsworth apparently thought his
measure contained some political dynamite and
must be handled with great care, for he delayed
submitting It iii the Senate was just on the
point q adjournlng this evening. The essen
tia, parts Of the bin follow.
In each city having over one million Of inhabi-
tants according 10 the last preceding Nauoha
OF state census there shall he a Board of Rapo
Transit Railroad Commissioners in and Tor Such
city. which shall consist Of four capable, eNpe-
rienced dlsinter4sted citizens Of such CITY not
.ho- frvn ~
belong 20 the same political party nor re OF me
same political opinion on state ana NauonoI
politics and who shall be appoE''eu oS tH7
The members Of said Board shall be STYLED
commissioners OF Rapid Transit and snail
not be removable except for cause
Tverv Board - Rapid Transit Commissioners
heretofore created and now existing uhder the
provisions Of the act hereby amendeG, Ul any
ferebv abolished and the members OF every
such Board shall cease 10 be Commisslonefs 0.
Rand Transit from and after the passage OF
this act
The original Rapid Transit Commission act
which IS amended by this bill. named as Rapid
Transit Commissioners William Steinway, Seth
Low. John ClaAin, Alexander f. Orr and John
II Starin
Thomas c Plar is getting pretty we'll paid
FOR his assistance 10 the Tammany Hall ticket
last fall Two Of his lieutenants have been
made Police Commissioners two members of
the Aqueduct Commission, and now II is pro-
posed to make two others members Of the Rapid
Transit Commission. This last consideration is
the most valuable one from a political point OF
view Nj Platt has yet received.
Governor Black has hitherto been opposed to
ali deal" bills. Politicians are asking tonight
Il il is possible that he intends to change his
policy
The Rapid Transit Board consists Of
Mr.. Orr, president, and John Clafin, John H.
rfn Dfx.ao f,~1O,
and Charles Stewart Smith, Commissioners, and
the Mayor and Controller. ex-officiO