New-York tribune., 1905-04-16
SPRINKLING LAW LIKELY.
Merchants Association Hopeful Ol
Bill, IN Spite of Tamm0ny.

The Merchants Association Of New-YOrk has
gone into the fight at Albany for city sprinkling
with a vengeance. and it seems likely that a
hiil giving the control of sprinkling and sanding
the streets 10 the Commissioner Of Street Clean
ing viii soon be passed by the legislature. The
new bin introduced by Mr.. Prentice. Repub-
lcan member from the 25th District is an exact
copy Of the la Fetra BILL which Major Wood
bury had introduced early in the season. and
which seemed doomed TO die in the Committee
IN City Affairs.
The investigation which the Merchants Asso-
citation instituted in regard TO the mysterious de-
lay in the case Of the La Fetra bill brought out
some interesting Tammany political methods.
Many complaints aud inquiries began 10 reach
the officers Of The association from citizens who
wanted 10 know what had become OF city
sprinkling legislation. They said they had been
approached by solicitors Of a private concern.
who wanted them to sign contracts for this sea-
sons sprinkling-
The association had given formal Endorsement
60 the La Fetra bill, drawn up by Commissioner
Woodbury., which handled the subject in the
most simple manner possible. They found that
there had been a public hearing on the bin, at
which no opposition had been entered. They
found also that the chairman Of the Cities Com
aaittee had moved TO report the hin. but that his
iaal sponsor OF The bin.
An official Of the association went TO Mr.. La
g1etra and asked an explanation OF his strange
action. He said that he had heard that other
city departments Interested in the bin wanted
& chance 10 he heard on the sprinkling subject,
end that he thought they should have hearing.
Another excuse for opposing the motion 10 re-
port the lin was that the motion had been made
l.y Mr. Agnew, which was slight TO the spon-
sor Of the bin.
Learning that il was difficult TO pass a bin
over the objection Of the sponsor, new bill
was decided on. This was introduced by Mr..
Prentice. ana speedy action is promised by mem
hers Of the committee TO which it has been re-
ferred.
Yesterday Frederick D. De Bersrd Of the Mer-
chants Association. wrote a letter telling Major
Woodbury. just what had been done Among
oiher things The letter said:
This acAon has the approval Of Mr Burnett.
y fhe chairman of the Assembly Committee on
the Affairs of cities, and we expect the bill VIII
f.e promptly reported. We shall keep close
s.atch upon Il and endeavor 10 secure its pas
Eage, which we think can be done
The question OF sprinkling the streets by the
city taken UP by The Tribune last sum
n1er. after there had been a number Of serious
sccidents due TO slippery asphalt 1t seemed
ahat none Of the city officials had any authority
rer sprinlling and that there was no way Of
regulating the private sprinklers The Society
fsr the Prevention Of Cruelty 10 Animals per-
Euaded the sprinklers to use less water and TO
leave a dry roadway in the centre Of certain
parts Of Jth-avs., and the nuisance was tenn
porsrily abated. Then the subject of legislation
was brought up. and the city officials ap-
proached. including Mayor Mcclellan, were
Unanimous ia expressing the belief tnat the
Slreet Cleaning Commissioner should have
charge Of the sprnkling.