New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-02

against Mr.. Jerome's local option of his own de-
vising.
TO ADD TO RAILROAD COMMISSION
The Merchants Association will have a bill
introduced providing for two additional mem
bers of the Railroad Commission. one of whom
al least shall be a practical engineer familiar
with the traffic conditions on the surface street
railways of New-York City. This measure was
PRESENTED last year and failed Some drastic
measure providing for the abolition of the Aque-
duct Commission may also be expected from
the Merchants Association as a result of their
revelation concerning the expensive methods of
that body.
The reintroduction OF the mortgage tax meas
,-e and of a measure providing for a tax on
notwithstanding corporations. two measures OF
vital inport to greater New-York are also ex-
actad though by no means assured. There is
reason 10 believe. however, that the familiar
three platoon bill of last session will not re-
anpear since Mayor Mcclellan promised
nm 10 this system the platform during the
campaign -, =; 1T,
ord The old familiar anu-in1unction measure.
C,1 annual visitor at the Capitol, is practically
certain 10 turn up again III some form other.
A measure is expected WHEN, passed VIII
Mace the stokers engineers and hremen
6rehoats in the uniformed force. a plan Of
legislation affecting New-1ork City entirely.
Other bills with labor support which are eX-
Tacta7 and measures favoring three-cent fares
for school children on streetcars, full crews for
! freight trains b-monthly pay for employees
! Of steam railroads. decrease OF the hours Of
! labo- of women and children 20 hfty-four hours
! "a measure affecting the canning industry of
central New York;. law preventing the State
! Fair Commission from holding State fairs on
the week OF Labor Day. measure placing
/ theatres under the factory inspection law, and
another authorizing volunteer FACTORY inspect
/ ors designated by labor organizations.
! ON the general subject Of taxation II is ex-
pected that Senator G. A. Davis will reintro-
/ duce his measure providing tax of one-half
mill on personal property for local purposes. in
stead of the widely varying local rate. Several
/ referendum measures on questions OF local tax
/ ation are also expected while it is anticipated
I that the Yale bill. which aimed 10 take the con-
troll of the sale of liquor in hotels from under
the power of local option. will be revived.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS
Important measures seeking 20 bring about
the harmonizing OF the work Of the State De-
I partment of Public instruction and that of the
/ Regents of the University may also be expected.
! Various measures OF educational! weight were
| introduced at the last session. none of which
| We're passed. and at the very close legislative
committee was appointed TO investigate the sub
! ject. Al the last meeting Of this committee
On December 81. il was reported that the mem
beTs had agreed upon the general character Of
| the legislation necessary TO provide for this
! harmonizing. and had instructed Senator Ste
| Nens TO draw up u BILL embodying their ideas
and present IL at their next meeting which
| will take place in New-York City on January
! 4. At the time of this last meeting IL was also
| intimated that the general plan OF the commit
| tee would be 10 provide a third educa tional di-
! vision in the form OF commission composed
| of three members. the majority and minority
! represented in the two branches of the legis-
| Iature each to elect member of the com
| mission and the Regents to select the third
! The general impression that the report of the
| committee would be unanimous would II true
give additional weight 10 whatever measure is
| introduced, as result Of this commission.
T1Erl IL ~ lie
! sage Of any measure interfering with the pres
| ent franchise tax law. II is not believed that
| the Governor in his forthcoming message will
! renew his suggestion that the franchise tax law
be repealed. 1t is. however, not in the least I'M
| likely that some measure Of this character will
| be introduced during the session.
| One rather interesting BIT Of special legisla-
| ton affecting New-York City which may come
/ up as a possible measure sbollshng the new
municipal court district provided for last SEES
! sion, IN which A. 2. W. Seaman. the Citizens
! Union and Tammany candidate defeated Judge
! Bennett, Abraham Grubers personal choice The
! CITIZENS Union opposed the creation OF the dis
| uict on the ground that II was unnecessary
| and simply intended 10 provide places for Cru
| ber,s friends. Failing 70 prevent legislation es-
tahllshing the court. they succeeded in defeating
| Grubers candidate. Mr.. G-uher recently de-
! clared that he had been tardily but enectually
! convinced Of the justice Of the Citizens Unions
| original claim that the district was unnecessary
| and intends TO have measure presented at the
| present session abolish the district
| II IS entirely probable that some measure in
tehCeu 10 IeLleFe the cltlZens or The Bronx from
| the lntolerab!e situation caused by the alder
! manic "hold-Up' Of the New-York and Port
! Chester Railway permit viii be introduced The
congested condition Of various courts in greater
| Ne"-forK VIII probably be mentioned by the
! Governor IN his message. and he may make Ger
! tain recommended tons looking toward release
| of the present congestion.
/ no such important measures the one because
| OF the vastness OF its scope, the other because
! or the bitterness Of the conflict which il pro-
! Nohed, as the barge canal and increased excise
tax OF last session are to be expected this year.
| But the Governor has himself gone on record in
! ioretelAng a long session and important work,
sylIg on this subject: Il should like 20 q
snort session as the custom is in Presidential
years but the fact is the State has grown too
J large 70 make that possible"