New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-23
INDEPENDENT CLUB DIMES.
SPEAKERS PRAISE THE ENERGY OF THE
OPPONENTS OF THE FOUR-TRACK
SYSTEM IN AMSTERDAM-AVE

The Independent Club which Is the outgrowth OF
the Ansterdam-ave. antl-grab movement which
had for its purpose the prevention OF the laying Of
four tracks on Amserdam-ave., held its first din
ner last evening at the City Club, No 10 West
Thirty-fourth-st. The dinner took the form OF a
love feast In celebration Of the victory achieved
by the opponents OF the four-track system on
Amsterdam-ave
The Rev. John p. Peters who took a prominent
part in the fight. presided and acted as toastmas-
ter Covers laid for seventy members and
guests
The frst speaker Thomas A. Fulton who in
the course OF his remarks gave It his opinion
that Richard Croker had not acted fairly when the
fight was between the people and the street
railway companies "Our cause" said Mr. Fulton
was Just ono. and we are happy that have
won IT," The speaker said he believed that the
Third Avenue Railroad Company and the Metro
politan Street Railway Company would agree to
use the centre tracks and that II any OF the
companies should decide TO get out ne would not
be surprised to the price for their franchise put
In the millions OF dollars. He referred the out
pouring Of public opinion in the churches and at
Albany. and said that much good was accomplished
by H. Mr.. Fulton suggested that committee be
appointed to ascertain why 1t that some streets
are crowded with streetcar tracks and other thor
oughfares, among them Canal-st, have only two
tracks.
Professor Felix Adler was next introduced
The Prophet" I'VE have great victory,
said the speaker. but II would have been easy TO
stife the voice Of public opinion II II had not been
for the persstency OF the little band OF men who
made themselves heard from time 10 time. The
great fault with Government is that II acts In
a spasmodlc fashion and not consistently" Pro-
fessor Adler predicted that better things would
happen In New-York City In the future than had
happened in the past
DR.. Peters then introduced Professor Nicholas
Murray Butler the next speaker Professor
Butler said he thought that the victory gained by
the people in the fight against the railway COM
panies for Amsterdam-ave. only type or
what Il possible to achieve in the future 1t
only indicates what may be expected In the future
when public opinion will express Itself.
Or. Peters then read kilograms and letters Of re-
greet from Father Galligan. Governor Roosevelt,
Bishop Potter ex-Mayor Strong and Assemblyman
FallOws
Miles y. Dawson spoke on the social aspect Of the
club and offered resolution regretting the absence
Of Senator Ford from the dinner and thanking him
in the name OF the club for the service he had rem
dered the people in its fight against the corpora
tons. The resolution was adopted.
Recorder Con, who, Il expected, would be
present to make an address, sent in card request
Ing that he should not be called upon for speech.
DR. Peters. in granting the Recorders request, said
that II he had been present at the dinner ne would
have been expected to speak, but that tnasmuch as
he did not enjoy the menu he would be excused
from making a speech.
The dinner brought to a close with short ad-
dresses by Theodore Sutro and c. c. Shayne