New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-10
| HEARING AT ALBANY.
SPEAKERS FOR AND AGAINST THE BILL
FOR THE CENTRAL'S TUNNEL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIEUNE-l

great care this afternoon 10 arguments lol anu
against Assemblyman BedeIs hlI having Ioi
its aim the authorizing of the enlargement OF
the terminals Of the New-York Central Rail
road at the Grand Central Station. at NeW-h orh,
the enlargement including the construction Oh
an underground loop for the accommodation OF
the suburban trains OF the Central.
The Executive Chamber at the Capitol con-
tanned when the hearing on the bill began ABOUT
fifty persons who had come from NeW-f oTA
to express their sentiments about the measure
and two from Buffalo on a similar mission
There were present representatives OF com
mercial bodies of New-York, Of political clups'
of Tammany Hall and of some property OWNERS
in opposition to the bill They put forward as
their chief speaker in opposition to the OH Eu-
ward II. Shepard. who said he Represented 'iie
Brooklyn Democratic Club.
Mr. Shepard added that he also expressed HIS
nersonal sentiments in opposing the bill.
There appeared in support of the measure
CONSERVATIVES of the Park Avenue Association
who presented a brief in its favor written pS
Everett P Wheeler. counsel of the associa'loN'
Arguments at length in favor OF the pili "e'e
made hy Lewis Cass Ledyard and Ira L. Place
counsel for the New-York Central. <hAms
others present were the following
In onposition-Joseph G. Dean and F. H. Al
len representing the City Club OF Ne",1oi
l. \
sssoc;a+ion of New-York: W. f. Mcconnell,
Board of Trade and Transportation OF New
York: Arthur C Butts, H j. Britt ana warren
Leslie of the Tammany Han eXecutlEe Gun ~
rlittee: T. J. Callahan. H J. MINUS ana W. u
Steincamp, of the Grocers' Association OF New
York; II /. Stenson. of the Middle farR ave
mo Association of New-York; NJ. A. Maltble,
of the New York Reform Club; A NJ HarTls;
of the citizens Union. and Charles H WenzeN
and F NJ Hardenbrook. who represented Park-
ave nroperty owners; Frank Ferguson, Captain
NJ NJ Drake. Edward OMaly and George ID:
Raymond, representing the Buffalo Merchants
Exchange.
In advocacy Of the bill-A B. Boardman and
William P Rudd representing the New-Hork
Central Railroad Company, and T. T. Wheeler'
of the Park Avenue Association
George II. Raymond. of Buffalo. introduced
as the first speaker in opposition to the Dill
Joseph C. Dean, representative Of the City Club
Mr. Dean said the bill would give authority TO
every railroad entering Buffalo and New-York
n change its terminals No provision made
for a change in the plans for the terminals at
the Grand Central Station. If the city author-
ties disapproved them. The remedy by an appeal
20 the courts for any injustice to the city was
insufficient and too great powers Of condemning
land We're given.
Edward NJ Shepard followed. He said that
he did not Join in the criticism OF Mayor Low
and Assemblyman Bedell In time Of stress,
with quick legislative action needed, it was not
surprising that the effect Of statute had not
been perceived but the Governor of the State
could carefully consider legislative measure.
He had the time TO do He added:
We are informed that Mayor Low disapproves
of this bill 1 wish his disapproval were more
sweeping. but now we are here to support what
10 De the opToer and an the pre
dents Of most Of the boroughs disaIProve of this
the policy of the State. that the property of a
city shall not be taken by a railroad corporation
Mr. Shepard added that the subject of the
bill was no new question For fifty years the
State had been strengthening the authority of
cities over city streets. The State gave the
| control Of street franchises to the cities. This
| bill before the Governor gave TO a railroad
company authority TO take any street, TO close
any park in New-York. The City Hall Park
| could be closed; Broadway could be closed:
| Fifth-ave could be closed. Moreover. the bill
| was absolutely unnecessary. The railroad
pany would devise the scheme and then the
Mayor and the city authorities could say yes
or no." but would actually have little authority
over its execution. The Railroad Commission
! would actually say what streets Of New-York
| were to be closed used. The State Railroad
Commission appointed for a different pur
pose, and TO II should be given this work.
1t not good policy to give to the Appellate
Division Of the Supreme Court so much power.
The judicial office not fitted for financial
function of this kind The bill granted per-
petual franchise. How could the value OF the
franchise be estimated now, with the city
changing in character every year?
Mayor Low" said Mr.. Shepard. has said fire.
ouently that franchise should be revalued at
frequent intervals, and such brief interval Is
applied TO the Pennsylvania Railrc1d franchise
about TO be granted The local authorities and the
to the Central all the authority 1t needs to en-
large its terminals. i confident, Governor,
you will not sign the bill
The frs. argument for the bill made by
Mr.. Place. He said that the New-Yor Central
operated thousands Of miles of road but this
1--WE miles in New-York City caused 1t more
trouble than all the rest. Mayor Low, while not
opposing the bill, not supporting It. If the
CentraPs lawyers could have drawn a special
bill solving the problems at the Central Station
they would have done so, but the constitution
forbade it The act had TO be broadly drawn.
The tunnel could not be enlarged electricity
substituted for steam a motive power for
locomotives without legislative authority. It
decided 10 construct a big underground
loop for suburban trains.
Here Mr.. Place spread upon Governor Odell's
desk long sheet of paper on which were drawn
the plans for the loop at the Grand Central Sta
ton
Couldn't you construct an underground
road?" asked the Governor, glancing at the
plans.
Not under our charter" answered Mr.. Place.
Mr.. Place then said the Centrars lawyers had
differed with the city authorities on a vital
point.
We contended ought to go to the State
Railroad Commissioners for authority TO en-
large our terminals" said Mr.. Place. while the
city authorities said should go to the Rapid
Transit Commission"