New-York tribune., 1903-04-05
ANTf-GRAB CAMPAIGN.
TO HOLD MASS MEETINGS.
Many Delegates Leaue Room Be
cause of Lehmaier' Secrecy Motion.

At the meeting of commercial bodies and other
associations yesterday afternoon in the rooms
of the Board OF Trade and Transportation, at
No 203 Broadway. plans to kin the street rail-
road grab bills now pending were discussed 1t
vas decided to hold mass meetings to arouse
public sentiment.
Things took an unexpected turn when the
meeting was about half over. and many dele
gates walked out expressing themselves as dis
e,,sted James s. Lehmaier, chairman OF the
-rsnsporration committee of the West Side Citi-
zeus. Committee of One Hundred, moved that the
delegates go into executive session, as he had
eoraethine TO say that he did not want the news
papers TO get hold Of William H Gibson, chalr-
man OF the Board OF Trade committee on cities
affairs who presided. jumped TO his feet ana
said he did not think such q move necessary
Mr. Gibson remarked that the meeting was IN
The interest Of the public. but that if Mr.. Leh-
rasier had anything TO say that he did not want
published the reporters present would oollge
him. A delegate who sat beside Mr.. Lehmaier
seconded the motion made by the latter.
The newspaper men then left the room ard
thev were followed by half the delegates Frank
Gardner. secretary Of the Board Of Trade,
said:
Look here. Mr. Lehnaier. YOU are breaking
up the meeting.
I don't propose 70 have my actions criticised
by auy one. retoTJed MI Lehfr2aaSI
The delegates who had gone out expressed
their displeasure. and left the building
The delegates who remained voted to allow
Nr Lehn1aier 10 say what he desired. It could
not be learned what II was. but II did not 60
down in the minutes.
z B Whitney. who went to Albany repre-
senting the Board Of Trade and Transportation
50 oppose the grab measures said,
The wilcox bill is Of most immediate interest
as bearing the duty Of the street ralroaos , eo
Seld bv Judge Worcester. all railroads operated
- me- INST give free transfer at every point
Of intersection. The Foley bin merely takes @ away away
eEd s15s1an6iaE @ a1.oM5 + ~ 500 INTO the State
t.cs7iv relieves tie railroads OF all the conditions
en9 n,Ts MS n5e n particular one of its main
objects believe is to facilitate an extensive com
the Interurhan the Brooklyn Rapid Transit and
perhaps those IN ueens 3ne fb consoiaton f can
rlot be efected without allowing free transfers over
from Riverdaie to coney Island for single fare.
In other words this free transfer conGIuoR IS r 9e
IN operation It is significant that the a1lLlaEy S
an attempt TO break II down thus indicating that
their organization under Murphy IN l]S IS Just
IL was under Croker in 1885
pected from the Committee on Railroads Of either
house at Albany. but that there VIII be strong
q the Assembly al least. and that their fate will
depend upon the Democratic vote If, as now
appears the Tammenv men with one or two honor
able exceptions) are owned by the 1nterurban COM
many there is z chance that the grabs may go
Through for Plart and Tammany are undoubtedly
frv TO Shield themselves from public eXecratlon
hy voting for such impossible bills as the
two cent fare bill
Nj Whitney offered a set of resolutions de-
rnandirg that the street railroad companies sub
NIT the question of free transfers TO the higher
courts at once If they are not willing 10 stand
by Justice worcester's decision, denouncing the
action Of the Senate Railroad Committee IN
ignoring the request for a hearing on the bill
introduced by Senator Foley denouncing the
Wilcox bill, and calling upon the legislators TO
vote down every bill which grants or confirms
any street railroad franchise in this city for
longer than twenty-five years, or without the
consent Of the local authorities
= committee was appointed TO arrange Tor
r,sss meetings and $500 for expenses was
pledged by the delegates present. The commit
zee decided TO hold a mass meeting at or near
~ooner Union on Wednesday. and one near
r-i4-v-ntntla-st. on Saturday. Another meeting
-o rotest against the railroad bills will be held
=. No 444 arasterdau-ave. on Monday, April
Is
Placards with the following inscription will
be tackled Up: