The times., 1901-06-06

NO ODDOftEgon pN
The senate Concurs and Governor
Stone Is Expected to Sign Them
Todny-A Rush for Charters Likely
HARRISBURG, June with the as
senting votes Of more than two-thirds
Of the members present, the House this
afternoon passed finally the Focht and
Emery bills. to enable the operation of
elevated and underground traction lines
and to furnish further extensions Of the
surface trolley legislation. Senators
Quay and Penrose have started for
Philadelphia
For the first time since the introduc-
ton of these bills those advocating the
measures launched into vigorous de-
fence. The veteran Tom" Cooper and
Frank B. McClain. Chairman Of the
House Corporations Committee, lashed
Mr.. Greasy. Chairman Of the State De
mocracy, and the insurgents who as
sisted him yesterday in no uncertain
language. There was little said in an
swer. Mr. Greasy said not word to-
day. his only motion being to correct a
statement made by Mr.. McClain.
Instead of three hours tiresome fight
ing. the House took but an hour to dis
pose Of the measures. But one amend
ment was offered, that coming from
Mr.. Mayne, and providing that the rate
of fare should not exceed 3 cents for
a continuous trip, and that free trans
fers should be granted. This amendment
was defeated by viva vOce vote. At
ter this the only time consumed was for
speeches.
When the Focht bill was up Mr.
Coray wanted to know the reason for
adding the amendments put into the
bill last night, intimating that it was
to make certain the right to sell the
franchises. Mr.. Bedford briefly stated
that his objections to the legislation
could be summarized in the fact that
they did not require the building of
the road by those who first secured
charters, and thus, by inference, the
law would permit the bartering of
franchises granted in good faith.
MIR. keller said this was the last of
the chosen measures to be supported
by the bosses, who, drunk with power,
were forcing the Legislature TO give
them marvellous concessions. both po-
litical and cooperative. A vote was i'm
mediately taken. the result showing 152
yeas and SO nays. OF the yeas, thirty
one were cast by insurgents. twenty
two by Democrats, and ninety-nine by
stalwarts. Only ten insurgents voted
against the bill
When the Emery bill was read, Mr..
Cooper was recognized, and made the
principal speech in its defence. He
denied that this was political legisla-
ton. This is political only in the sense
that it is progressive was his declar-
alton. i heard these same old speeches
against legislation intended to Iiberalize
trolley legislation at that time or rather
to enable the building of trolleys."
Taking up the objections made yes
terday, Mr.. Cooper referred to the
course Of Mr.. Mayne, saying with great
courtesy: He does represent an in
terest. an interest which came into the
State with a brass band TO advertise its
pul lposes. It aroused the interest Of
Pennsylvania capital Rich men in
Pittsburg and Philadelphia came to the
conclusion that if there were roads TO
be built domestic capital should build
them.
I have learned that for two months
there has been secretly made a can
Eass to secure capital. and that mil
lions OF capital is pledged to build these
roads. That is true Of Pittsburg. 1t is
true as to Philadelphia. These meas
urcs apply almost solely to those two
cities. The congestion OF travel in both
OF these cities is sufficient to warrant
the passage Of legislation TO relieve it"
Air. COray renewed las efforts to put
the stalwarts on the hook by citing
anew that provision Of the Republican
platform Of 1895. referring to corporate
franchises, alleging that Quay was
against the corporations then, and for
them now. AIr. McCIain opsned his re-
marks by a little personal dab at Mr..
Coray, saying that If there ever was a
proposition before the Legislature lib
eraiizing corporation law that had the
support Of the gentleman from Luzerne
he would like to be informed. Later he
said:
1t is charged that those behind these
bills are not acting in good faith that
these bills are in the interests of a few
people That is not true. That is a
willful misstatement Of facts Millions
Of capital are ready to invest in and
carry out these plans, once the neces-
sary legislation is provided"
This ended the debate, and the bills
were passed without further trouble,
the Emery bill having Isl votes, and 81
opposing.
The measures were sent TO the Senate
for concurrence in the amendments
made by the House. This was done to
night. end the bills will go TO the Gov
ernor tomorrow morning. It is almost
certain he will sign them, and there
viii be a rush TO secure charters under
the new bills.
The Johnson interests are now en-
gagged in a legal battle to determine
their rights to an entrance into Phila-
6elphia. They may seek to secure some
advantage from the new legislation. but
the opinion is that the amendments
made last night prohibiting the juno
tion Of trolley roads with passenger
roads operated by steam was aimed at
that syndicate.