New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-28
TAMMANY AND THE BRoNX.

Tammanv yesterday gave another exhibition
OF it's readiness to sacrifice the public welfare
in general, and that of the people OF The Bronx
IN particular. For months the New-Nork and
Port Chester Railroad has sought permission to
cross certain streets in The Bronx above ana
below but not at grade. This permission IS
necessary 10 the building of the fast trolley
line to Port Chester which will greatly increase
the facilities for suburban traffic and through
SIS connection with the subway furnish new
avenue downtown TO a large and rapidly grow
ing section of The Bronx which is not now con-
venient of access. This improvement is one
which is desired by vast majority OF the peo-
pie in The Bronx The road runs through pri-
vate property all the way. 1t does not ask any
franchises to use streets in the ordinary sense,
but merely permission TO cross streets mtersect-
ING its line. fur the simple reason that there l.
no way TO get in town without crossing them
Ire crossings will be elevated or depressed so
that the safe and convenient use of the streets
will not be interfered with and ample compen-
sation will be exacted on behalf of the city for
all privileges granted.
The proposition is so plainly meritorious that
no serious arguments are made against it, yet
the Tammany aldermen by one trick or another
have avoided acting upon it for months. They
have not dared openly TO oppose it, but they
poned consideration Of it and resorted TO other
familiar devices for inaction. Just what their
motive is has not vet been conclusively shown.
but It is charged that Tammany is trying to
hold up the company either for a large cam
paign contribution or for simple brides. Doubt
less also Tammany expects, if successful in
next weeks election. 10 be in a position to die
tate more advantageous terms than it could
hope II get now. To-day it can only hold up"
Q the permits, but once in control Of the entire
city government it could exact rake offs on
the whole work. Whatever its motives, Tam
many has firmly but underhandedly blocked this
great public Improvement Influential persons
in The Bronx recently called on Charles T. Muir
! ply to get him TO instruct the Tammany alder
men TO expedite the improvement but he de-
| cIined TO help The Bronx people to obtain this
desire of their hearts and yesterday Tammany
again turned deaf ear to their prayer.
Before the meeting Of the aldermen the fusion
members sought TO get a favorable report from
the Railroad Committee, but were blocked by
no less parsonage in Tammany than Young
Tim" Sullivan, a nephew of Congressman Tim
cthy Dry Dollar" Sullivan, who. Mr.. Grout
said was one Of the gambling syndicate in Tam
many. Nobody who knows Young Tim" is
under any delusion about his disinterested re-
gard for the property owners of The Bronx,
which IS Tar from the lower East Side. He is
not member Of the committee; IL was in eXecu-
tive session. and he had no right TO be present.
Although he prevented report, it was still in
the power of a majority of the board to take
action and in stopping this Mr.. Fornes was use.
ful 10 his new friends. Usually be is slow about
calling the meeting. and gives delinquents a
chance to get III and make quorum. Yesterday
he was uncommcnly prompt in starting a roll
call. 10 find out that there was no quorum and
adjourn. When he called to order, twelve Tam
many aldermen went out Of the chamber. as if
in accordance with a matured understanding.
The roll was called rapidly. the recalls were
prompt and before the usual tine for getting
down to business Mr.. Fornes had for lack Of 4
quorum declared an adjournment for two
weeks He had scarcely done so when the late
arrivals made many more than j quorum
Thus the people Of The Bronx are once more
disappointed in their hope. The Mayor sent TO
the aldermen yesterday an urgent plea for &C.
ton on the New-York and Port Chester petition
and his appeal might have prevailed if the pre-
cipitate dissolution had not prevented the sub
ject from coming before the aldermen. The fu-
sion members are moving for a special meet
ing az which they hope 10 force the Tammany
men into the open and secure justice for The
Bronx