New-York tribune., 1901-04-26
JOIN BRIDGE BILL FIGHT.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND RAPID
TRANSIT COMMISSION IN THE RANKS
OF THE MEASURES OPPONENTS.

The Chamber Of Commerce and the Rapid
Transit Commission yesterday Joined the ranks
of those who object to the North River Bridge
BILL The Chamber of Commerce appointed It's
harbor committee to present its objections to
the bill at the hearing before the Governor on
Tuesday next. This committee consists of A.
Foster Higgins, chairman; Samuel ". Coyken-
daH John II. Starin, Vernon H Brown and
Samuel w Ferry
AT the meeting of the Rapid Transit Commits
sion Charles Stewart Smith secured the adop-
ton of a resolution directing Edward NJ. Shep-
ard. Of counsel for the board to draft state
ment setting forth the reasons why the Rapid
Transit Board opposes the bridge bill
This statement will be presented at the public
hearing on Tuesday. A committee was appoint
ed TO attend the hearing. 1t will consist Of
President Orr. Commissioners Smith and Starin
and the legal advisers of the board
Commissioner Smith went away before the
meeting over. He said:
The North River Bridge bill Is the most in
iqutous measure ever passed by the legislature.
II not only gives control OF west-st. to the
North River Bridge Company. but over any
other street in the city they may desire 70 seize"
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONS STAND.
Following the meeting Of the Board of Esti-
mate yesterday. the Sinking Fund Commission
held a short meeting. The Mayor brought UP
the resolution introduced by Controller Coler at
the meeting Of the Board Of Estimate referring
to the New-York and New-Jersey bridge and
the Sinking Fund Commission passed It unani-
mously. The resolution says in part:
This bill should not receive the executive ap-
merce Of the Port of New-York into the hands and
under the control Of private, corporation; and.
~ valuable franchise privileges and property rights
While this bill purports 10 be general in its terms.
II is IN effect special bill designed TO further the
jersey aq dge copaDy ny 'he and New
1t appears that the New-York and New-Jersev
Bridge Company has never been able to secure the
requisite capital for the OF this bridge
bic franchise privileges and property rights Of the
city OF New-York without adequate compensa ton.
rights and franchise privileges that It hesitates 10
and Bdge copaHsyn Xsn ba 5ae Ns%
attempted to deny their value.
OFFICIALS TO ATTEND HEARING.
The Controller. the Corporation Counsel and
the president of the Council were appointed
committee to attend the hearing before the Gov
ernor
The owners and occupants Of property adioin-
ing West-st. have been invited by the Merchants
Association to meet at 4:30 o'clock this after
noon at No. 346 Broadway 10 take action in
regard to the bill.
any member Of the syndicate which, it is report
ed. is ready to underwrite issue of bonds TO
the extent OF S100000,00O for the construction
of the bridge. Mr.. Culver said he thought
that at the end of ten years operation of the
bridge the city's revenue would be fully $4,000
a year.
That's a pitiable compensation" said Con-
troler Coler, IN commenting on the estimate
THE city ought to get hundreds of thousands of
dollars a year from the bridge and approaches"
Ex-Controller Ashbel P. Fitch was quoted
yesterday as saying that. under the act of Con-
gress, 1t was necessary for the bridge company
to the consent of the Board os Estimate
before constructing the bridge. Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Connoly said with reference TO
this point that the legislatures power was SUI
preme, and that the approval of the Board of
Estimate was not necessary.
James w. Pryor, secretary of the City Club
in commenting the bill said:
1T abrogates to n great extent the provisions
of the charter prohibiting the granting of public
franchises in perpetuity. There is an absolute
denial of municipal home rule in the mandatory
paragraph which says that the city authorities
shall give every permit consent or approval
that may be needed to carry out the purposes
Of the BILL