The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-11
OUR TRANSPORTATION PUZZLE.
iRINGS on VARIOUS BILLS TO
SOLVE DIFFICULTIES.
s-atc CIties Committee Listens 10 Arsu.
nlents for the GrOut Blli. Citizens
Inion Dlli and the West Side Asso-
Citations Mcasure-Nr. Gr0ut Hurt.

m,nts for the Grout Blli. Citizens
Inion Blli and the West Side Asso-
Citations Measure-Nr. Gr0ut Hurt.
hnASY. March 1O.-Advocates OF legsla-
,io,, 20 regulate New York city transporta-
lion facilities and providing that the city shall
hud and operate all extensions Of the
Rapid Transit Road were before the Senate
Ci,ie, Committee this afternoon. Comptroller
Cr,.r argued in favor OF his Rapid Transit
law amendment. enabling the Mayor to
sppoint Rapid Transit Commission to
t1kn Office next January and providing
that contracts for the construction OF the
railway may be let separate from its equip
neut and its maintenance and operation.
Mr. CIRCUITS bill eliminates the present
uroyi,ion Of law which exempts rapid transit
road. from taxation.
The second bill considered was that Of
Senator Elsberg which is backed by the
C,ti1cns' Union. Among other things IL
rrJy:irs that contracts to construct rapid
transit roads may be let in sections and It
makes it possible for other than the present
rapid transit contractors to bid upon addi-
tlonal lines of rapid transit which may be
constructed. The bill also contains pro-
vision for the separate letting Of contracts
for construction, equipment and operation.
The third bill was Senator Russel's,
favored by the Committee of 100. repre-
scn,lng the West Side Association and
kindred organizations on the West Side. 1t
provdcs for local Board Of Railroad
commissioners in New York city without
interfering with the Rapid Transit Com
mission. The Mayor is to appoint COM
mission of three members.
IN
Charles o. Mas, James Lehmaier, j. A.
Hodge and Henry V. H. Stapler, repre-
srnting the Committee Of 100, appeared for
the Russell bill; and ex-senator John Ford.
Thomas A. Fulton. and +. {. Huntington
argued in favor Of the Citizens Union bill:
With the exception of Comptroller Circuit. all
vno appeared before the Cities Committee,
and William McCarroll, James 7. Hoyte
and 5. b. Donnelly. representing the Brook
Ign Manufacturers Association, had talk
favor of some legislation for the relief Of
New York city. /. 20 Mayor Low, Gov.
Odcll told them while he did not wish TO
favor anv special measure he thought
New York city should have home rule upon
this question and he would give careful
consideration to any measure that might
pass the Legislature and would not inter.
ierc with the powers OF the State Railroad
Commission.
All who appeared at the Senate Cities
the city authorities who made possible the
present situation in New York city con-
corning the construction OF Rapid Transit
roads. and pointed out that municipal con-
struction and operation was a vital ques-
ton which must be met now. They Sc
verely criticised the Belmont Mcdonald
Rapid Transit Railroad syndicate and re-
iarred TO the statement made by Edward Nj.
shepard, counsel for the Rapid Transit
Commission, that this syndicate had In
iubt IF llO OD0 O0D
In his remarks ex-senator Ford an
nounced that soon a bill will be introduced
in the Legislature permitting the city TO
operate the Staten Island ferry.
With his face somewhat battered especially
his nose Comptroller Grout arrived in Albany
To appear before the Senate Cities Com
mittee this afternoon to advocate his Rapid
Transit Commission bill. Last night, after
attending a dinner. the Comptroller went
10 the Manhattan Hotel, to be near the
Grand Central Station in order TO catch
an early morning train for Albany. He
was called, and in the darkness Of the room
and its strangeness. he explained. he hit
his face forcibly against a door. But IL
did not prevent him from catching his train.
Mr.. Grout wants the Senate committee
10 appoint a new Rapid Transit Commits
sion and providing for municipal control
Of the Rapid Transit road.
Mr.. Grout explained to-day what his
amendments TO the Sinking Fund bill meant
and the bill will be reported and the Senat q
will concur in the Assembly amendments.
Il is known that the Republican organiza-
ton is not at all concerned over the ques-
ton OF whose bill il is. but that question
was solely raised by Gov. Odell who did not
care TO give Comptroller Grout the credit