New-York tribune., 1903-03-11
GROUT PLEADS FOR BILL.
Controller Defends His Rapid Tran
sit Act at Hearing.

Albsny March ln-Rapid transit conditions IN
New-York City came in for a general discussion
to-day before the Senate Committee on Cities. when
hearings given on the following bills now
before the legislature:
The Merchants Association bill, introduced by
Assemblyman Finch adding two members to the
State Railroad Commission. to be civil engineers
from New-York City.
The so-caled Grout BILL introduced by Senator
Wagner reorganizing the rapid transit commits
sion so have the members appointed by the
Mayor. and radically modifying the provisions al
lowing exemption from taxation of the subway ex-
tensions.
The bill introduced by Senator Russell and As
sembyman Wood, providing for local railroad
commission for New-York City.
The ElsberG bill, recently introduced on behalf
of the Citizens Union. looking to the ownership by
the city of the subways still to be built.
Nearly all of those who spoke referred to all Of
the propositions. Controller Grout emphasized the
necessity Of separating the work Of construction
and operation. He asserted that the contract for
building the subway would be good for from
$50 10000 $50 100000 profit $SOO1 in construction
alone, and the city would have to replace the
equipment at the end of the term of the lease.
He favored the city's building the new Zines. The
present rapid transit commission. he held was an
anomalous body, wholly unsuited to its pur-
pose and not representative in any real sense.
There force in the claim that special
State commission was needed for the financial
transactions; the entire amount was not 10 per cent
OF what the Board OF Estimate and Apportionment
handled in single year.
Ex-senator John Ford. supporting the Elsberg
bill, said:
A trunk line, with branches penetrating the
business and leading to the unsettled out
lying sections. with q uniform round trip fare OF
five cents would relieve the congestion of popua-
ton, bring outlying parks ard pleasure grounds
within reach OF the young. the poor and invalid
promote morality and the health of the community
and contribute TO the well being or the whole peo-
pie. We cannot get such system under the pres
ent act. We under the Elsbers bill.
The Rev. John p. Peters favored the local COM
mission bill. urging that the State board could
not give adequate attention to the needs of New
York City. President William NJ. Carroll, of the
Brooklyn Manufacturers Association TO the same
effect. contended that the recommendations Of the
State Commission had resulted in no good. except
in the case of the Manhattan Railway. that they
Rapid Transit systems nothing but empty promises.
Other speakers were Senator Russell, Chairman
Francis G. Huntington. of the city committee Of
the Citizens Union: Thomas A Fulton. j. H.
Cohn. of the Social Reform Club. and ex-Assistant
Attorney General F. b. Whitney.
Governor Odell to-day received delegation from
New-York, headed by the Rev. DR.: Peters, who
road commission for Nev-York city. The bill was
prepared by committee OF one hundred.
/. Governor Odeil said that he believed there was
reason why the city of New-York should not
have a home rule measure. designed to enable II
TO work out its own salvation. provided the pro-
posed local commissioners did not interfere with
the powers and duties of the State Railroad Com
after passage by the legislature he would give 1t
consideration.