New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-06
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Albany, March 5.-There was a hearing to-
day before the Assembly Railroad Committee on
the bills Of Assemblynen Beden and Vain
wright TO abolish the use Of steam locomotives
IN the Fourth-ave tunnel In Network, and on
the bill giving the State Railroad Commission
ers authority TO grant permission to the New
York Central Railroad TO construct big under
ground loop at the Grand Central Station for
its suburban trains.
II was soon discovered that Mayor Low and
the New-York CentraTs officials were likely 10
come TO an agreement, but that there We're still
serious differences between them IN regard to
the bills dealing with the enlargement of the
CentraFs terminals. The counsel for the New
York Central, Ira L. Place, made the statement
that Asseablyman Bedell's bill concerning the
terminals OF the Central applied to all the cities
in the State and Intentionally so, since the
Central desired legislation which would per-
nit It to give better accommodation TO the
public
Speeches were made by Senator Mills, Mr..
Whitman. the Assistant Corporation Counsel;
Everett P. Wheeler. for the Park Avenue Pro
teotive Association: Mr.. Place and Assembly
man Wainwright, Assemblyman Wainwright,
In q substitute bill which he had submitted to-
day provided that the substitution OF electricity
FOR steam as a motive power should be accom-
plished by May l, 1907 and that the Railroad
Commission might extend this time six months.
Mr. Whitman said that while Mayor Low had
not changed his opinion Of Mr.. Wainwright's
BILL he was comforting with the Central officials
% learn IL some common agreement could not
be reached TO the time when electricity should
displace steam as = motive power in the tunnel.
NJ. Whitman then turned to the consideration
OF Mr. BedelTs Dill in relation TO the terminals
Of the New-Tork Central at the Grand Central
Station, and said:
The bill empowers the Board Of Railroad Com
rrissioners to decide what streets are to be
opened. and what are TO be closed. To this
the city viii agree II allows the rail-
road company TO condemn the streets by appli-
cation to the courts. True. the city may agree
with The railroad company as to compensation TO
be paid. but If no agreement is arrived at then
the appeal may be made 70 the courts The
whole scheme Is utterly opposed to what the
city has been striving for-namely, moderate
II the railroad company is TO use any part OF
our streets Il should be only upon such terms as
we willing 10 agree to. Under some clauses
OF the bin the railroad could take any PARK, any
street in the city. ] don't say that the central
contsmplates any such action; l merely say
that the bill gives 10 II this power. More0He1'
The Central IS 10 have perpetual franchlse
We have Just favored a franchise for the Penn
eylvania Railway Company, Dut thdt must ge
resdjusted every twenty-five years and reVaIueu'
MI Wheeler said that he thought the city off,
Gals should have authority TO extend the time
for the substitution rather than the Railroad
Commission.
Mr. Place in behalf Of the Central. said that
us engineers and workingmen would have
dif8cult task TO substitute electricity for steam
IN the tunnel and also the construction Of the
great underground loop for suburban trains,
and keep the present trains running as usual
for the use Of the public. Time should be given
for the making Of these changes. They could
not be too greatly hurried. or sad mistakes
would be made. IF the legislature set a certain
tine for the completion of all the work contem-
II aNO
sponsibillty for any mistakes which might be
made Concerning the terminal BILL he said
that the case was not analogous to that of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company's franchise
The Pennsylvania would merely build line TO
connect fits stations in Jersey City with New
York City. The New-York Central was not
municipal corporation. It was legislative ere
alton Should an act Of legislature put It in the
control Of the city?
Assemblyman Wainwright appealed to the
committee to insist upon a certain date being
set he agreed to an amendment 10 a subsu-
tute bill that he presented for his act by which
It was provided that electricity must be suosti-
tuted for steam a motive power by January
J. 1905. HIS substitute bill also provides that
the Railroad Commissioners may extend the
time limit six months. but Gays that every day
that steam is used beyond that period a fine Of
$1,000 a day shall be imposed upon the railroad
offending. Assemblyman Wainwright read the
following letter he had received from Mayor
Lows
Dear Sir:
have not changed my attitude toward your
bill, and ! shall not change IL unless l receive
public assurances that seem to me TO make
The result desired by US all even more than
were your bin be passed. It is evident that
must either work with the railroad com
peny or against II II the former proves 70 be
practicable, on terms satisfactory to us, think
the problem is likely TO be more quickly solved
than II our sole trust is put upon compulsion-
in the mean while am expecting shortly to re-
ceiTe some sort Of proposition from the rail-
road company. When this comes to hand I
shall be glad to confer with you before giving
suy reply that modifes my present attitude I
am confident that we all want the same thing;
and hope that shall not differ at the last
as 70 the best way TO get it
Of course, am against the New York Gem
tral bill as il now reads
Very truly yours,
SETH Low.
Mr.. Bedeu then said:
Gentlemen, we are nearing the end of the ses-
sion OF the legislature. These matters must be
settled Immediately. Suppose that we postpone
any further consideration OF them until next
Monday evening. IN the mean time the city
thoFities and the officials Of the New-York Gem
rral may come TO agreement upon them.
Then we viii hold executive session of the
Railroad Committee and act upon these bills.
This proposal was agreed to- and the commit
tee adjourned
Mr.. Bedel is said TO have obtained from Gov
ernor Odell promise that an emergency mes
would. II necessary. be sent TO the Iegislat-
70 expedite the passage OF these important
measures.
THEATRE BILL LIKELY TO PASS.
AS T,vTBODr-cED WIN Arrorr r-.,-1,>,-