New-York tribune., 1902-03-24
HOW CITY BILLS STAND.
THE SALARIES BILL TO BE PASSED
HARMONY BETWEEN MAYOR
AND LEGISLATORS.

Albany. March % (SpeciaD.-For the first time
in many years the legislature is to adjourn be
fore the important legislation relative to the
city Of New-York is returned to Albany from
the Mayor for the action Of the legislature
for the signature OF the Governor. Before the
election Of Mayor Low. and when there was a
Tammany executive at the helm of the city
government. it was often necessary to pass
measures over the Mayors head With the
state and municipal administrations in political
harmony the history of the legislature Of
1902 has thus far shown. the precaution of pro-
longing the session until all the New-York bills
have been returned has not been taken.
There rumor about the corridors Of the
Capitol at the end OF last week that Mayor Low
and the Republican leaders here had disagreed
upon the salary cut" bill. which will enable the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment. by being
authorized under its provisions to reduce sal
aries wherever il sees fit. TO weed out sinecures
from the various departments Those who
started the story said that there was evidence
Of such friction in the manner in which the As
sernbly Committee Rules had failed to re-
port the bill after it had passed the Senate On
Investigation il learned that it is the inten-
ton Of this committee 10 report the bill favor
ably next Tuesday, and that il will be passed
and sent 10 Mayor Low before the end of the
week This measure is looked upon both by
the city authorities and the Republican leaders
here as the most important piece Of legislation
relating To the metropolis which has been before
the members Of the legislature this year II
passed, it Is hoped that it will enable the reform
administration to put the city on thorough
business basis. curtail expenditures and permit
budget which will he many millions smaller
than those of the Tammany administrations
that have preceded.
0F he Of
Of the state and city administrations was fur
nished yesterday in the Assembly. when the
Committee Rules reported favora bly, the bills
Of AsseTblyman McKeown authorizing the
Board Of Estimate and Apportionment 10 cut
salaries in the Offices Of the County Clerk Reg
ister and Sheriff of Kings County the fact hav-
ing been pointed out by Controller Grout that
the legislature OF 1901 had supplied these off,
GERS with a too expensive body Of employees
Thus there Will be no exception among office
holders in the application of Mayor Lows policy
Of economy. Sinecurists, wherever found, are
to be dropped. and unearned salaries are TO be
reduced in amount.
TUNNEL LEGISLATION.
The bill authorizing the city authorities 70
grant a franchise 10 the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company 10 construct underground railway tun-
nels from west 10 east across Manhattan Island
to similar railway tunnels beneath the Hudson
and East rivers. which was passed by both
houses Of the legislature, and on which hear
ing has been had before Mayor Low. viii he re-
introduced, according 70 present plans. to-mor-
row night, with new provisions following out
the recommendations Of the Rapid Transit Com
mission The new bill will be assisted by an
emergency message. If necessary. There will be
no postponement Of the adjournment Of the
legislature next Thursday in order to give time
for the passage Of this measure. This was def
nitely learned last night.
Besides the Pennsylvania tunnel bill there ar.
several other 'subterranean" measures, in the
literal sense Of the word this session One Of
the oldest members Of the legislature chanced
TO remark only recently that never in his long
experience in tire legislature had there been so
much tunnel Legislation pertaining to New-York
City Assemblyman Apgar. for instance, has
introduced a bill providing for the abolition of
the of steam as a motive power in the Park
ave. tunnel after May !. 1905 unless the time
IS extended by the State Board of Railroad
Commissioners. Assemblyman BedeI has also
introduced a bill which is more less supple
mental in its provision 10 the Apgar bill, to
permit the enlargement Of the Grand Central
station and the construction Of a subterranean
loop TO and under this great terminal for sub
railroad shall obtain the consent OF the State
Railroad Commission and the city authorities
the latter having the right of appeal to the
Appellate Division Of the Supreme Court in case
of any dispute about the condemnation OF city
lands or compensation for them. A fourth tun-
mel bill has been introduced by Senator Raines
and Assemblyman Fowler 10 extend four years
the time allotted TO the New-York and Jersey
Railway Company to complete the tunnel under
the North River, which has its Manhattan ter
mina at Hudson and Greenwich SITS
The Apgar, Bedell and Fowler bills have all
passed the Assembly and are now in the Com
n7ittee Of the Whole in the Senate. It is ex-
pected that the first TWO bills will pass the
Senate either Monday night or Tuesday morn
Ing.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES.
The bill OF Controller Grout, which was pre-
sented by Assemblyman Kelsey, changes the
time OF payment Of taxes in New-York City
from October / to the preceding February l.
The bill provides that this change shall be
brought about gradually. so as not to compel
the payment Of two years taxes in one. The
bill has passed the Assembly. and will pass the
Senate early in the week.
The bill which was introduced in the Assem-
bly, by Mr.. Kelsey and in the Senate by Senator
stranahan. the request Of the Tenement
House Commissioner. Robert w. De Forest, has