New-York tribune., 1902-04-21
LEGISLATION FOR NETWORK
MOST IMPORTANT LAW PASSED IS THAT PROVIDING FOR
FENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD SUBWAY


AlDans. ApI4l ~ ASptCldlt--IONSiAo NASii
having completed his examination Of all the
State legislation Of 1902 referring to the city
Of New-York, and having announced his deci-
sim upon it. the people OF that city will now be
able TO learn precisely the changes made in
their charter this year. and the particulars of
other legislation affecting their welfare.
In general it may be said that this legislation
Is less important than that Of a year ago, if
notifications of the charter alone are consid-
cred: for then a general revision Of the charter
of the city was submitted. But if legislation
which may lead TO large increase Of the city S
commercial advantages is considered. possibly
the passage Of the act admitting the Pennsyl-
raina Railroad TO the city may be thought to
mt this years work in importance above that
of 1901 II is true there was disappointing
failure Of legislation when Governor Odell felt
forced to express his dsapproval Of the Bedell
bill designed to bring about the enlargement
OF the terminals Of the railroads using the
Grand Central Station, and Of Assemblyman
Apgar's bill to put an end to the use OF steam
os a motive power in the Fourth-ave. tunnel.
,,r,+ il is hoped that this failure will be a tenn
porary one-that the legislation required to pre-
vent accidents in the tunnel can be secured
early in 1903 or, If necessary. at an extra ses-
Sim of the legislature in June Of this year.
For the first time in years the State admins
tration had absolutely harmonious relations
with the administration of New-fork CITY III
all important matters Of legislation governor
OdeT before the Legislature met had Voluh-
tarily given his pledge to Mayor Low that the
home rule rights of the city should be respected
and this pledge was kept. No city Dill olsap-
proved by Mayor Low is on the statute DOCKS
On the other hand, the bills pressed by him.
which he thought necessary to give him ample
authority to improve the city administration
e-a now laws The chief of these bills, or
course was the so-called Sweep BILL. giving
che BOARD of Estimate and Apportonment au-
thority before May /, upon the recommends
zion Of the Mayor any borough president. or
head of any department. bureau, office, board
or commission of the city of Newly orh. OF Oh
any Of the counties embraced therein, 10 HA
salaries in any of said Offices departments.
buraaus boards or commissions" Under that
act the Board Of Estimate and Apportionment
will have authority TO reduce the salaries Oh
orar-,aid men rut upon the salary rolls by ram
rnar~ Hall The fusion members OF the BOARD
of Estimate and Apportionment Mayor Low
Controller Grout President Fornes or the boalu
of Aldermen. President Cantor OF the borousN
of Manhattan. President Swanstron OF the bor
ourh of Brooklyn. and President Cron"eh VI
the Rorouen of Richmond, are said to nave
desired 10 have this authority conferred IN Or
der to reduce the expenses OF the CITY
RAPID TRANSIT MEASChES-
The Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners
had great influence IN shaping the leglslatioii
regarding the introduction of tunnel railways
and amending the rapid transit act II "a
through the influence Of the Rapid Transit Com
rnissioners for instance. that the PenhsslN diiia
Railway act was passed in shape satisidc'oi
n the citv That act authorizes the kappa
Transit Commissioners to grant to the PennsSi-
f-op construct a lull-
mel railway As is known. this tunnel VIII eA-
.end from, the North River to the East River
beneath Manhattan Island, and Will be the coil-
Meeting link of tunnels of the railway pehe
the rivers mentioned. Thus trains Oh liie
way from the West will be enaoied 10 ieaei
. e.s+;on ar F,igbth-ave and Thirueth-st, anu
then mass on if needful into Long Island. Inc
rental to be paid for the franchise Is u De
valued every twenty-five years. -.
Anothar stem TO provide New-York Win eiea'
er rapid transit facilities was taken when 'ne
co- traa Sanator Stranahan's bill au-
,boriz,ne Mr Mcdonald the contractor WHO -
building tbe underground rapid transit tunnel
to assign his contract for operating the iapia
transit railroad This act also had the apl'IoN"i
of the Rapid Transit Commission Stll 1iio'N
act approved by them reduces the afnouh' o @"
vertising needed in appraisals unoer tne -,
Transit act Yet.another act approved ps M
authorizes the Board Of Aldermen 10 fee
the erection Of buildings TO be used as statioiis
for the rapid transit railroad
TENEMENT HOUSE LEGISLAIloN'
Robert w De Forest, the Tenement houSe
Commissioner had the hard task or oeieiioiiis
the Tenement House act framed with such CAV
in 1901. from a dangerous assault buioeis "
the Borough of Brooklyn seeking 10 man
most radical and as he considered. Dangerous
changes in the law The attacks were repeiieu'
and while tine act was amended. no Innovations
OF moment were made, while CONCESSIONS -
made for which builders are gratelui'
amendments were embodied in bili IN rs+s
by Mr. Kelsey One of the CHIEF amer ~.
made to the Tenement House law provides ula'
in tenement houses hereafter erec.eu L. rd
ceeding three stories and cellar I'D heie. ha
which also are not occupied or arrahseuu " bv
occupied by more than six families IN .lli, VI =. y;
more than two families on any nooi' ,ah o.,
which also each apartment extends thIoue.
irom the street to the yard, the "iutii =, -
Inner court situated the lot line i,ieas s -
from the lot line the opposite wall oi - -
part, and it's horizontal dimension shali HUI NC
less than fourteen feet in any part
DOCKS AND WATER SUPPLY.
The Commissioner Of Docks and Ferries
through Assemblyman Kelsey, secured 'ne
passage OF two important acts relating TO the
docks. One of them authorizes the Comfnls-
soner TO acquire for the use OF the city 'ne
wharf property between Bloonheld-st ana ihe
northerly side OF West Twenty thrd-st, on the
xsorth River In another act the CommissioieI
VI locks 10 authorized to make temporary iehN7S
= wharf property for period not exceeding one