New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-04
MOUNT TERNON's TROLLEY WAR.
ALDERMAN GRANT CALLED ON TO PROVE
HIS STATEMENTS ABOUT CoRRUP-
TION-FRANCHISE BUSINESS


Tho hitter contest for franchises between the
Union Railroad Company and it's rival the New
York Westchester and Connecticut Traction Com
pany. in Westchester County finally reached
stage where a public Investigation has been he-
manded. Last December a franchise for the trac-
ton company was rushed through the Mount YER
non Board of Aldermen and resulted in proceedings
10 impeach Mayor Fiske who was charged Win
making arbitrary rulings to get 1t through Mayor
Fiske escaped impeachment, and the franchise was
revoked because the railroad company feared mat
II would not withstand the test OF the courts Mayor
Flske and his followers In the Board or Aldermen
were determined however to give the traction
company franchise and did week ago at
stormy session of the Board This franchise Is
important as It gives the traction company an
entrance into Westchester County.
II was fought bitterly by the friends OF the Union
Railroad Alderman Dollard. chairman OF The
Railroad Committee on the night IT was passed
said that decent or honest man couio anoru
to vote for It, Alderman Cline said that 1t was
zone Of the biggest gold bricks ever sold TO the
city" But what caused the greatest sensation
was the public statement made by Alderman
Grant president of the Council that his pockets
could be buging with money II he had voted on
street railway questions as some peo0ie oeSneu
Alderman Grants statement has been the talk
Of Mount Vernon since he made II, ana At ne meet
ing Of the Council Tuesday night Alderman
Hermes. who had supported the tracu ,h C"n,pa ~
vestigation. The resolution was adopted tie onIy
members who voted against 1t being "iceimeh
Grant and Anderberg. . . :,
Alderman Grant objected TO Il because 1t put all
the responsibility Of furnishing the evidence on him.
He wanted the other Aldermen sworn ana coiI-
PEELED to testify. Alderman Grant reteIatsn HS
Statements about corruption, but said that ne dld
not mean the other night that money was offered
him to support the franchise then under considera-
tion Money had been offered him to vote Tor o'ner
traction company legislation. Alderman Grant Of
fered TO assist any committee that would enter into
the investigation thoroughly and examine an me
A undo nath G
ton he remarked dehantly. You can lead a morse
10 a trough, but you can't make him drink. . =,
A franchise for the Union Railroad. giving IL I'M
portant routes Chester Hill. which nad peen
held I'D at the last meeting. was read by the cIeik.
Alderman Dolard moved It's adopton; Alderman
Hermes offered an amendment laying 1t over ne
thought that in view OF the charges or scahda that
had attached TO other street raiiroad iesisao, , ~
further franchises should be considered unti q
thorough Investigation Is made The vote was a ue'
Mayor Ffske cast the deciding vote TO lay IL over.
AS the matter now stands. the Board VIII not con-
slider any more street railway business until an
investigation is made and Alderman Grant has
declined TO present his charges specifically unless
a committee is appointed and the investigation Is
entered into In regular and businesshKe Haii"si'