New-York tribune., 1901-05-01

| as the people Of New-York City may need for
transit facilities.
Charles Stewart Smith, representing the Chamber
| OF Commerce and the Rapid Transit Commission IN
| brief speech requested the Governor TO withhold
his approval from the me A. Foster higgins
| OF the Chamber Of Commerce. also spoke against
| the bill
| Arthur J. Baldwin. representing the Merchah'S
| Association addressed the Governor as foHo"s'
We protest against ms he enf battered and in
markets the enrichment Of th Id pro
n9 ef tbts b frankly admits that it is the avowed
intention the holders OF the msotX pt tnf gTdge
penx oL ' case this bill receives your signature
Sr hss s9Ss 9sy fqT as Their pFos from the sale
Of their stock which is. in fact the sale OF this
franchise.
RAINEs AND wERTs IN DEFENCE
Senator John Raines. defending the BILL opened
by stating he wished say in reply TO those
..ege officials OF New York City who have charac
terized this the greatest steal OF the century
that they forget the Ramapo Water Company STEAL
which the biggest steal that was ever attempt
ed in this State" He charged that the representa-
tive Of the Controller the Railroad Committee of
the Senate had held up the bridge bill Tor TWO
weeks and that, he declared. the only jam
ming done in connection with the bill He said that
the question had been one as to which interests
should get in first in this proposed Improvement he
told the Governor that he should not agree to sign
sufficient money behind the proposed construction
TO erect and maintain 1t.
Ex-Governor Werts denied that the company was
called upon TO ask for franchise. That was un-
necessary, he said. The States of New-Yor ana
New-Jersey and Congress had granted the com
pany all franchises needed. All the company want
ed from New-York City the right of way 10 the
bridge. He read extracts from letters sent oy 'he
company to the New-York City authorities III
which Il was provided that IN the event or the
4 arrlfSG
certain streets I'm that city the structures shouu
revert 10 the city after certain period OF years
II this bill is signed he said, the only effect or IL
will be that the bridge company may construct the
West-st. approach 10 its proposed bridge without
the consent of the Sinking Fund Commission OF
New-York CITY He declared that the only possible
structure that could be erected by the bridge com
pany under the bin the freight approach which
was already located.
Continuing he said that the reports that the ee-
waited railroad would be erected and operated with
out the bridge being constructed pure bum
combe did believe that the courts or the pub
lie would permit II to be operated under such cond
tons The opposition to the bill. he believed. was
due TO misrepresentation as to what the brloe'
company intended to do.
STATE BRIDGE COMMISSIONS LETTER.
Albert E HenscheI counsel for the New-York
ard New-Jersey Bridge Company. presented let
from the State Bridge Commission 10 Mr. Odell
The letter recites the laws constituting and gov
erning commission and tells of the selection OF
a site for the bridge. The commission then says
that the bridge will not serve the purpose If 1t
has no outlet for the traffic It would accom-
modate and adds:
We are desirous to see this work Of such mani
fest importance this city 8 we'll TO the
whole continent. completed speedily possible.
We have already spent much time and given the
most Z orough consideration To this enterprise In
all its details.
Careful to keep strictly within the authorty, con
ferred upon by law. have consulted the
highest authority upon this subject and have
availed ourselves of the opinion of John +. Dillon.
Andrew H. Green. chairman: Evan Thomas. sec
retary and Frederick W. Devoe. signed the letter