New-York tribune., 1901-05-01

lam F. King. the president Of the Merchants
association. the compensation of the city for
this franchise would be SSo.oOo a year. We
would thus surrender West-st. which has cost
the city s30-000,000. for $4,000 a year; very
poor compensation
The hearing here terminated. with Governor
Odells statement that he considered the bill an
important one. and would take the arguments
advanced upon IT under careful consideration.
PROMISES TO NAME hackers.
BURTON " HARRISON OFFERS INFoRMA-
TIoN TO GovERNoR-THE ARGU-
MENTs ON THE BILL.
the Bridge bill there a spicy Interchange be.
tween Controller Coler and II. L. Dunlont. one OF
the promoters of the bridge project.
Statements had been made by Senator Raines rel
ative TO the Controllers knowledge OF the financial
responsibility OF the bridge company Controller
coer said he wished to state that he had been op-
posed 10 granting the privileges asked for by the
company since 1899.
Mr.. Dumont." he said. has come to
erai occasions. assuring that there suf-
i1cient financial backing behend the enterprise and
requesting me 10 withdraw my opposition. He
even mentioned the of the financial inter-
ests behind it,
II did not" broke "a Mr. Dumont who was pres
ent; Il never told you any names
Yes you did returned the Controller
Il did not" replied Mr.. Dumont growing excited
Il say you did, said the Controller. You told
me that the Mercantile Trust Company and the
Hanover National Bank behind it''
81 did not No. did not" declared Mr. Dumont
Let us have sorle statements Mr.. Con-
troer." interposed Burton n. Harrison.
During the hearing Mr.. Harrison. who said he
represented a number Of capitalists interested in
the North River Bridge project, assured the Gov
ernor that he would furnish him privately with a
list Of names Of tbs men interested in the enter
prise Bankers and other capitalists. he said, were
not in the habit of announcing to the newspapers
the enterprises In which they interested, espe
cialy when such enterprises existed in the future
He charged that the attitude of Edward NJ Shepard
showed that he had never read the bill
WHALEN CHARGES UNCONSTITUTIONAIITY
Corporation Counsel Whslen was the first speaker
in opposition TO the bill He attacked its constitu-
tionality many points and declared it fraudulent
upon its face. His brief began with declaration
that the bill confcted with Section is OF Article
III Of the Constitution which provides that the
legislature shall not pass a private or local bill
granting 10 any corporation association or in
dividual the right TO lay down railroad tracks"
The brief then declared that the bill also IN
conflict with another provision OF the same sec
ton. which forbids the construction operation
of street railroad except upon the condition that
the consent OF the owners Of one-haIf in value OF
the property bounded and the also OF
the local authorities having control Of that portion
OF a street or highway upon which il is proposed
10 construct or operate such railroad be first OBJ
tanned"
The Corporation Counsel also urged that the bill
conficted with the provision of the same section
denying the legislature privilege TO pass a private
bill granting to any corporation, association
dividual any exclusive privilege immunity or fran
chise." He also declared the bill be in contra
vention Of Section y of Article II of the Constitu-
ton. which requires that a special city law shall be
submitted to the Mayor Of the city
Proceeding. the brief that the plan IS
fraudulent on it's face. and that the franchise
obtained by false pretences 1t also insists that
the principle of local self-government has been
violated, and that the city should have the control
OF its streets and water front and the right 10
investigate commercially and make the proposed
Improvement itself If desirable.
coLER's ARGUMENT AGAINST IT.
Controller Coler. In long argument attacking the
bill. said:
The conditions surrounding the birth Of this leg
:slative measure. as well as the interests seeking
TO secure its enactment into law, have been in
state with precision and certainty exactly what
S SGrse lis promoters intend 70 pursue should the
easy. however. TO see what might done under the
are seen . be accompanied by this Certainty Of
great financial profit. It is reasonable to assume
is EVIDENT therefore. that the real purpose end
e91chis et 9 @ OH is to secure Praetcay unlimited
tanning elevated railroads the streets OF the
re free from the wise resrcons shf o p cF
nov guard the granting OF such franchises
Of the @ y Wes Gi tae roe eelsf fas5 tsf
ths SoTb t eaa a the % Of bridge across
. essT ,had n such franchise with the accompanying
granted to any private corporation. whether such
rSllroaa De nnt as an appurtenance of, indie
II there IS lesson of municipal rovernr,ent
pnbo mas ore been s0r RRFessed S upon the minds Of
grants of great public franchises should not be
compensation to The cty S rr9passd %snegf adequate
snrdV insseonstes ON universally ~ admitted to be alb
terms OF the bin relating thereto are such as to
eitF from feas6ie and easy to prevent the
amount on account OF the opera of this railroad
,erEed 10 has found its way into the chartep That
lesson has borne fruit I'm the contract which the
rapid transit subway That lesson has sunk i deep ep
~ ,tp tne ninos Of the people II its teachings are
visions OF this bill which careiessiy ans pfT
@ s the 2st R5eb yassbs 1e 5sncse
eb,sposed Of powerful impetus Will be given to
government which finds IT'S most radical expression
,o-eay under the suise OF socialism and which sees
t.s t.gnts or the people for the benefit Of favored
RAPID TRANSIT BOARDS POSITION
Alexander z Orr. Of the Rapid Transit Commits
eion read 70 the Governor the copy Of a resolution
adopted oy the Rapid Transit Commission in on
position 20 the bill ~
Edward NJ Shepard. attorney 10 the Rapid Tran
sit Commission. said that the bill was direct at
tack on the principle which has actuated the State
IN permitting each city of the State to control its
waterfront. The policy of the constitution and g.
policy Endorsed by the people Of the State is that
privileges OF this character shall not be granted
without compensation The Rapid Transit Com
mission no said, vas willing grant privileges 10
use West-st. for proper compensation
The Manhattan Elevated Railroad Company how
ever. was unwilling 10 pay the price asked for the
privilege. New