New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-19
HONE RULE COMMITTEE.
NAMED COLONEL DUNN
Senator Raincs Introduces Bal At
fccfing RmRcs Lac Hotels.
frr rrrEeR.rs TO THE rHIHrNE.

- i- y,,,-el C,eo-re " Dunn. Chairman Of
. fhe conference ~ the names OF the conference
orrn1iftcc 20 cousider the question Of home RUE
This committee viii consist Of Senators George
u MnIhv 81 81 Lawrence County. Nathaniel A.
r-1sbere II Nev-- York city: George A. Davis. OF
Eric County and Henry Marshall. Of BROOKLYN
Aeacrnblyrucu Robert J. Flsh. Of Madison
COUNT. Francis Hendricks state Superintend-
euf OF fnsilra nee and William Barnes. fr-. OF
Afbarv chairman ~ the Republican state Tx
ecutive Committee The second event was Inc
Introduction q bin by Senator John Raines
amending tho laws affecting the Raines Ia"
hotels on lines laid down by the Governor IN
his talk printed In Tuesdays Tribune
senator Raines's amendment will 81 passed,
abolish 81 large number and many Of the worst
81 the Rainas law hotels II requires the holder
OF a hotel certificate 20 obtain certificates from
the Building. Health and Fire departments. ana
that his premises meet the requirements OF al
these departments. Inspectors from these de-
partneuts must inspect the hotels and report
and n the law is not compiled with complaints
must be made by the Police Department and
she cases presented 10 tho grand jury by the
District Attorney. This bilI was introduced TWO
wears ago but failed at that time Such super
vision as II provides would place the responsi-
hfity for the present character OF Raines law
hotels on the shoulders Of the local authorities
and would meet defects IN the present Law indi-
Gated by the Governor the other day.
The appointnent OF the committee VIII be fol-
lowed bv immediate activity This committee
win meet IN Albany its work VIII be the study
~ the charter ~ New York City. and from its
Investigation interesting facts VIII be shown
10 how much home rule Nev-Hork CITY has
n.y. and does not . IS well how much
more - needs Governor Oden. n his friends
are ~ b. believed. feels that large share of
As nm
believes that vast powers rest already in the
lsn d- Of the local authorities. that fer instance,
they are able 70 issue bonds for fifty years,
where the State Is limited 20 eighteen. and
shat In addition 10 the S3.50OOoO specified IN
tho charter the Board OF Estimate end Appor-
torment. with the consent ~ the aldermen, can
issue bonds w 70 the 10 PEI cent constitutional
limit
WHAT GOVERNOR is SAID TO BELIEVE
In line with this feeling. the Coverings
friends ascribe 20 him > belief that nine-tenths
~ the legislation asked Tor at the Capitol could
l,e rsssed nj the city Hall. He believes that
legislative measures such as those allowing com
rrissioners 10 reinstste discharged employees or
members of Departments are entirely unneces-
zarv and merely shifting the responsibility and
e-a bling uartisans 10 raise the cry Of ''manda-
tory legislation" The right 20 increase the Fire
Department or Police Department forces and the
responsibility for IL should lie with the local
authorities. - his theory and II any legislation
is necessary 70 give them this power he thinks
tlet II should be granted He regards with I'm
patience the thought that II should be necessary
20 ask the legislature for the right TO issue
bonds in n case like that ~ charging the Metro
nolftan Museum. and he has consistently vetoed
bile asking for authority 10 open streets. be-
lieying IN this case as IN meny others, the local
powers ere adequate
The whole question Of home rule has been
90 complicated with Tammany Hall platform
propaganda that the public mind has been
confused and r the Governors plans are
realized q win not merely be the right TO legis-
late but the responsibility FOR not legislating
which VII rest with the dominant party in
New-York City. For example, Tammany Han
Incorporated IN its platform plank for mum
cipal Ownership OF gas and. Il is reported ac-
cepted "A contribution OF $4,000 FOR campaign
uses al the polls A home rule amendment
permitting the city OF New-York 20 own It's
gas supply II any amendment be necessary,
would place Tamnanv Hail IN an awkward po-
sltion. and this is a sample Of an endless mum
Der OF similar discomforts that VIII follow in
the trail OF home rule.
The report Of the investigating committee VIII
- t.lish beyond question what powers New
Yor city has and remedial legislation viii sup
plv the defects. This does not mean that there
viii be an open Sunday, or that a radical excise
measure win pass. Il does not even mean That
there viii be an omnibus home rule measure.
ID does mean that definite programme carry
ing such bills that OF Senator Raines to-day
and a similar affecting the police and FIRE
departments. increasing the powers Of the com
missiOners TO increase the force. the salary and
diminish the hours 81 members OF the depart
rleut. which VIII be introduced by Senator Els
berg next week. h TO be expected. As the com
rnittee gets work II VIII suggest amendments
~ this sort ano they VIII be introduced and
passed.
CIVIL SERVICE NOT LIKELY ~ DANGER
Friends OF the Governor say that he regards
rapid transit commission dealing with "A New
York problem and likely. as IN the case Of the
New-Nork Central viaduct 20 cost the State a
million dollars, an expensive luxury. and one
that might be well resigned TO the local au-
thorities. since u is made up OF New-Tork men,
although the Merchants Association has never
hailed such prospect with any sign OF enthusi-
asm. Localizing the civil Service powers. par
ticulariy in view OF the action OF the municipal
Civii Service Commission in exemptng afty-two
places on Tuesday. Is hardly likely 10 fine favor
u Is highly improbable that home rule win an
initiate an the Ciyl Service OF the cities OF the
state. particularly as majority Of the voters
Civil Service
with committee appointed 10 investigate
Win . clear belief In the mind Of the Governor
% What is necessary &c be done Rnd with men
~ the committee Ike Senator Elsberg and
Nhlem Barnes. IT,. who share the Governors
nome rLle sentiments there IL every reason 70
believe that The Tribunes announcements OF to
nay. that there would be action and home rule
p 3usflfec- Those nearest the Governor are
trnly convinced that nothing but inability on
nls part 20 carry out a programme viii prevent
SUBSTANTIAL home rule legislation.
Whether JOHN RaiIses's prophecy. thai within
No Years New-Nork CITY would be auuealing
,or relief from horne rule. VIII be realized or
70 remains problemsticsl. but Il IS not TOO
...ela 70 say that the Governor believes New