New-York tribune., 1905-02-01
"HOLD-UP" ANDPAY GRAB
4LDERNEN'S BUSY DAY.
Would Let Ahearn Interfere scith
6th-aue. Tunnel-L1gess SIS0,000.

The Tamnany Board OF Aldermen yesterday held
UP the application OF the New-York and Jersey
Railroad Company for right of way under otn-
ave- from Christopher-st. to Sath-st-. and in the
sams session railroaded through a resolution In
creasing the salaries Of Tammany officials in the
Buildings Department.
Not since the ''hod-up" of the Port Chester Rail
roads application for a franchise in The Bronx
has there been such a sharp reminder Of the pc
culiar business methods Of the aldermen
The Rapid Transit Commission, after repeated
hearings and thoroughly sitting the reasons for
their action granted a limited franchise TO Will
lam c. McAdoos company. The merchants along
Sixtt-ave. want the Improvement. which would
materially increase the transit facilities OF the
West Side.
Mayor Mcclellan, Controller Grout and the
Rapid Transit Commission had reason to suppose
that the aldermen would promptly pass the fran
chise resolution yesterday.
Alderman Sullivan said that the tunnel permit
was faulty and that it should be amended by CIV
ing Borough President Ahearn certain supervision
OF street openings. The changes suggested are the
insertion in three places Of the words. "and the
President OF the Borough in sentences which pro-
vide that the work shall be done under the direc-
ton OF the Rapid Transit Commission AS the
Borough President has the power TO issue permits
70 close streets. etc. the Board Of Aldermen holds
that the franchise work ought TO be done under the
direction OF the Borough President IN conjunction
with the Rapid Transit Commission. There was
objection TO referring the franchise back to the
Rapid Transit Commission for the purpose Of max
ing the changes referred to and President Fornes
ordered the matter referred.
To give the voters object lesson OF their abil-
fly TO spend money and increase the tax budget
when It tends to help the district leaders, the
board railroaded through g resolution, at the In
stance of John T. Mccall, increasing salaries and
expenses in the Buildings Department by $4,000.
The resolution was passed in twinkling and re-
ferred the Committee Salaries and Offices.
This committee rushed into the committee room,
decided TO report favorably the resolution forth
with and Immediately reported back TO the
board that IT had approved the resolution. Then
the board, with the assistance OF President
EorneS, hurried through the rollcan Under the
terms Of the resolution the los inspectors in the
department VIII have their pay increased from
Sls20 10 5000 year. Fifteen additional elevator
inspectors will the roll at 5000 year eacn.
Seven iron and steel inspectors will be added
10 the bureau, $1,000 apiece. The assistant chief
engineer of the department gets raise or SlolO,
and the chief inspector receives q similar COM
pliment Altogether. il was great day Tor the
innate and Apportionment VIII have TO pass on
the salary grab before the special bonds are issued
The salary Of Colonel Austen, Receiver OF Taxes,
IN the Department of Finance, was increased from
to the fact that 5000 was petty sum TO pay a
man who last year received $SS,659.SS9 N OF the
city's income. Colonel Austen has been in the de-
partrnent twenty-one years. He was appointed Oc-
tober 30 1888.
a franchise was granted the Bush Terminal
Company TO construct a short line OF railway In
2d-ave, Brooklyn.
William G. McAdoo. president of the New-York
and Jersey Railroad Company. said last night 10
q Tribune reporter. in speaking about the action
Of the Board of Aldermen: Il think the amend
rnent suggested Is entirely unnecessary, as the
franchise already covers the ground"