New-York tribune., 1902-12-21

of the Board of Aldermen made It unnecessary to
call upon the State for legislation in order to
execute the tunnel project Governor Odeli told
Mr. King and his associates yesterday that he
believed absolutely in the principle Of home rule
for New-York City but he also believed in COM
peling corporations that held franchises from the
municipality to render the public the full meas
ure of the duties incumbent upon them under the
terms by which they held those franchises. If it
were found that the necessary power TO compel the
fulfillment of these terms did rest with the
city, that for any the people could not
obtain protection through city officials the Gov
ernor said he would most heartily cooperate in
the movement to secure needful reforms.
Although the circular OF protest against transit
mismanagen1ent which the Merchants Association
asked that the petitions fncosed should be
signed and sent direct to Mayor Low, many of the
petitions in addition to those sent TO the Mayors
office, have been forwarded direct to the associa-
ton. These will be turned over to the Mayor.
The petitions coming in by the hundreds from
all parts of the city.
Owing to the continuous sessions of the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment for the last few days.
the Merchants Association Committee has been
unable TO arrange for conference with the Mayor.
but expects TO do by Tuesday next Owing to
the same cause Controller Grout and President
Cantor, who are likewise members OF the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment, have been unable TO
reply 10 the letters from the association asking
information and cooperation.
Cantor. the association characterizes the condi-
tions which surround the local transportation sys-
TEN disgraceful and continues:
The crowded condition of the cars forces the
womanhood of city into the position where they
are often subjected indecency and insult in such
manner to render them unable to show open
resentment. This reason If other should
the manhood of the community to such extent
the alleviation of this condition and the
proper service the part of the transportation
companies. We earnestly trust that you, both
individually and in your official capacity, will
heartily cooperate with the association in this
movement. To that end we desire to ask you for
informal ton to the unused tracks that
maintained by these corporations, to the
lawful use of streets by corporations where fran
chises have either lapsed have been
granted.
The committee also wants to know what right
the elevated road has to allow its stations TO be
used for advertising purposes and desires informa-
ton about tracks for which surface companies
have franchises Copies OF these letters have been
sent the Central Federated Union. urging them
TO sign the petitions that have been so widely cir
cuated.
The Women's Health Protective Association OF
New-York has also written. through Its president.
Mrs. Mary Z. Trautmann. to Mr.. Cantor appeal
ing TO him for assistance to mitigate the transit
evils. and offering the cooperation OF the
citation. Mrs. Trautmann's letter says in part:
year ago the members of the association, feel
ing how much the public is outraged daily by tne
GNercrOWu1ng
cars, particularly the open cars on the surface
road during the summer months. when every sense
Of decency toward women and girls is disregarded.
decided that they would consider and find what
could be done remedy this abuse.
Accordingly, in the early part of June meeting
of the board of directors Of this association and
representatives of various clubs met at the home
of the president. Mrs. Trautmann and invited
II. II. VreelaBd the president of the Metropolitan
company, to meet them for conference. The com
manager of the road. The result of q two hours
conference that there could be relief
pected the Metropolitan company, and
could only await the completion of the rapid
aroused to the necessity of some action. and Il
seems to that Ii is the duty of the corporation
to devise means that will give the public
decent service
The letter adds that the association early next
week will present petition TO the railroad
mittee OF the Board Of Aldermen.
J. l. Brewer. chairman of the grievances COM
nnittee OF the West End Association, has written
to MIR. Cantor letter of complaint In which he
also makes a suggestion for the elevated road. 1t
is follows:
/ think that II the 'L'' road would build a
spur at the bottom of Sixth-aye.. and start empty
trains up from Carmine-st-, in the afternoon, the
Then more trains could be operated as time would
not be wasted at the stations with oVercrowded
cars And the Metropolitan company could also
help matters by building switch at Seventh
and Fifty -nnth-st., so that they could run
the Broadway through Fifty-ninth-st, TO
Broadway, and up Broadway to Columbus-ave at
Sxty-fifth-st.. and up Colur1bus-aye. The
Broadway cars, you can observe day, not
crowded the Coiumbus-ave. cars. I hope
you will succeed in this effort.