The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-02
MAYOR GIVES OUT The NAMES
E. ". SHEPARD AND COL. BART
LETT SPOKE ABOUT VETOED BILL.

He Did Not Accuse Them Of Threatening
Him on Behalf OF Pennsylvania Rail.
rOad-Each Makes statement
About the Interview With the Mayor.
Mayor Mcclellan said yesterday that
Edward W. Shepard and Col. Franklin
Bartlett were the representatives Of the
Pennsylvania Railroad who had called
upon him and told him that. II he vetoed
the bill taking from the Aldermen their
franchise powers, the measure would be
repassed and that the Legislature would
not adjourn until this was done The
Mayor added:
What / stated in my memorandum was
literally correct. Mr.. Shepard called on
me on April - and Col Bartlett on April 10.
They came 10 me openly to confer about the
bill, and while the construction which has
been put In some quarters. upon my
memorandum, that they threaten me,
is unfair, what / wrote describes precisely
what they said TO me. The memorandum
covers all have 10 say on the subject
Col. Bartlett said yesterday;
Il did call upon the Mayor as a represeu-
tative Of thu New York Connecting Rail-
road, and said 10 him that in all probability
the bills would be passed in any event b.
| added that that was a matter which did
not concern him, the Mayor. There was
no suggestion or idea Of a threat. | made
the remark incidentally and not as affect
ing the action Of the Mayor in any way.
II is manifest 10 any one that, when a ma
jority Of the members Of the Legislature
are in favor Of enacting certain legislation
and il is returned unfavorably, the meas
ure. il returned in Tina will he repassAd.
As TO what is said in the Mayors state
ment about his having been urged TO re-
ject the bills promptly, If he intended to
take such action. 50 that the session Of
the Legislature should not be needlessly
prolonged, and that the Legislature would
not be permitted 10 adjourn without pass
ing the bills, Of those matters | know
nothing"
Mr.. Shepard said
Il have just returned from a Southern
absence Of five days. ] take upon myself
the sole responsibility Of whatever was
said 70 the Mayor on the subject Of the
Aldermanic franchise bills in behalf Of the
! New York Connecting Company OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Nothing
was said TO him except by myself or upon
my authority. | called upon the Mavor
about the l2tn oil April and reminded him
that represented the New York Connect
ing Company. which had last year sub
mittsd TO him and the other members Of
the Rapid Transit Board, and successfully,
its application for a franchise. ! do not
| remember whether / mentioned the Penn
sylvania company. which has a half interest
in the Connecting company, the latter
being. as stated in it's public application.
owned equally by the New York New
Haven and Hartford Railroad Company
and the Pennsylvania company. told
the Mayor that as other counsel would
on the public hearing before him meet
such objections as might he raised 10 the
bill, | should not trouble him with Rrgu-
ment. | did remind him that the whole
question where in the city government
the franchise granting power ought TO rest
had been the subject Of discussion for many
years past; that personally ! had long ago
expressed, and that although my pro-
fessional relation made my view Of less
consequence j still continue 70 hold the
view that as the streets Of the city were or,
at least ought 10 constitute its most val
liable single asset, their control ought 20
be part Of the responsible financial admins
tration Of the city. and as such amena bic
10 public criticism. / further said that the
opinions Of those expert in public Affairs
and public sentiment had alike for years
past moved toward this change.
of coume. j said nothing 70 the Mayor
which was or implied in the remotest fashion
anything in the nature OF a threat or OF an
assertion Of any control Of legislation.
My respect for the Mayors Office and my
the Mayor himself would have prevented
my saying anything Of the kind. even II
had been otherwise capable OF saying II,
as ] venture 70 believe ] am not. cid
tell him that hoped his conclusion might
be reached as soon as his Official duties
would permit. do not remem- that |
expressed any opinion a. TO whether. II
he should finally conclude TO veto the bills,
the Legs lature was likely 20 pass them over
bis veto. II the Mavor has any recollection
on that subject it is apt 20 be correct; As
u a. hat = lT11lT n ne
lightenei public sentiment in my opinion
supported this reform. II Is entirely possible,
although do not remember II, that stated
the further opinion that the Legislature:
finding the view which II had expressed
bv the passage Of the bills continuously
and vigorously supported BY public senti-
ment. would probably adhere 10 the view.
Nor do / remember tfat ] spoke OF tne
continu auce Of the legislative session IL
is quite possible, however, that ! referred
TO the publicly stated or rumored care Of
adjournment But l said nothing WI at
ever with respect to the New York Con-
Meeting COMPANY or the Pennsylvania
COMPANY or any other company holdlng
or controlling the time OF adjorrnsment or
Rnv other procedure by ire leSlsiaIuIe'
III spoke Of probable action by the Legs
lature OF It's probable adjournment, /
smoke az any citizen might very properly
speak upon probabilities on any puohc
question: ,,,,A..
i think II proper 70 add, althouBh uaNe
no authority from NV clients 20 say ms
that their determine ion 70 press the ap-
plication Of the New. York Connecting
Comranv. after il had been IGNORED by the
Board OF Aldermen. was reac1cd because
their application having been made com
pletely and cons picuously In the open,
Nj se-nrel 40 FAR as wa known, the
unanimous approval O public sentiment
and bevonl any doubt tented 20 meet an
impe-a.ive necessity Of the Borough OF
BROOKLYN a. well a. a great interest Of the
whole metropolis
The weather.