New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-14
A SETBACK FOR WEAVER.
RIOTING IN COUNCILS.
Machine Shoes Signs of Life OUer
Street RaiIzCay "Grabs.' -

Philadelphia, June 1S-Amid cries of "Thieves!"
and Crooks" and under the protection of police,
the Committee on Street Railways of City Coun-
ellis to-day referred to the City Solicitor four
bills repeating ordinances granting streetcar
companies the right to use ITO miles of streets
to Law tracks without compensation to the city.
The meeting sensational and stormy as
that held by the Committee Finance some
weeks ago when the gas lease was under con-
sideration The repealers were introduced at
the instance of Mayor Weaver. and to-day's ac-
ton of the committee is the first setback the
Mayor has received. Another sensation to-day
was the arrest of Frank H Caven. Select Coun-
Gilman from the 34th Ward, on the charge OF
violating his oath Councilman by being inter-
ested in city contracts. He held in $4,000
bail. He denies the charge
The fight over the franchises promises to be
warm 1t is contest between the Mayor and
citizens living in the territory through which
the proposed lines to run. on the one
hand and the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com
pany backed by the Republican organization.
on the other. Recently four subsidiary concerns
of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company Sc
cured ordinances giving them the right to lay
tracks on 10 miles of streets without compen-
sation to the city. Mayor Weaver vetoed the
ordinances and the day the gas lease was passed
the four bills were passed the Mayors
ordinances were introduced repeating the street
railway ordinances and day was set for
hearing.
Select Councilman Thomas ]. Ryan. the only
Democratic member. suggested that the bills be
sent to the City Solicitor as the ordinances had
been passed and the streetCar companies had
been vested with the right to use the streets
His suggestion was received with storm CT
hisses Turning to the crowd. Mr. Ryan shook
his fist and said
I am here serving ihe city to the best of my
ability and doing what 1 think Is right. For
you sneerers and hissers. have no fear what
ever | want to say to you that If you want 10
do something good for your city you cant 90 IL
by doing wrong. 1 want you gentlemen to play
fair You applaud me one day and then hiss me
the next. If you have come here to orowoeat me,
l can browbeat back, and L can even vote
against you.
Mr. Ryan was pacifed by members of the
committee and sat down.
Other members of the committee who spoke
against the repealers were called thieves" and
crooks" and so disorderly did the proceedings
become that police were hurriedly summoned
The nolice after some difficulty, enforced better
order The committee, by 10 to IL. referred the
bills to the City Solicitor for an opinion on them
NV noon ON Thursday Councils meet that day at
3 p.
The affidavit on which the warrant for the
arrest of Mr. Caven was issued was sworn to
nv Captain of Detectives Donaghy. 1t charges
that Mr. Caven, while member of Councils
committed the offence of being interested direct
lv and indirectly in certain contracts for fur-
nishing supplies and materials Tor the use OF
Tho citv These supplies consisted of sand and
gravel which were furnished TO Daniel j. NC
STicboI & Co. contractors, to be used In the new
filtration beds State Senator James T. NC
Wichol one of the leaders of the Republican Or
ganization in this city, is member of the con-
I tracting firm involved. -
T; Director Direct Acker to-day suspended work on the