The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-11
FRANCHISES IN THIS CITY.
THE SENATE PASSES THE THREE
ELSBERG BILLS.
They Take the Power 90 Grant Franchises
From the Aldermen and Give II to
the Board Of Estimate and AppoFtlOn'
ment-ASsembiy Advances One Bnl.

FROM Nno Aldermen ana Give " 10
the Board Of Estimate and AppOFtiOn'
ment-ASsembly Advances One Bnl.
ALBANY, April iO.-That public sentiment
in New York oitX IL thoroughly aroused
over the methods Of the New York city
Board Of Aldermen In its disposition Of
applications from corporations for fTsn-
ohises to use the public streets and high
ways Of New York city was fully mani
tested in the State Senate tonight. The
measures under discussion were the three
bills Of Senator Elsbergs, which have the
object OF stripping the Board OF Alder
men Of New York city Of all power Affect
ing the granting and regulation Of public
franchises and transferring this authority
10 the Board Of Estimate and Apportion-
ment, which by the bills is permitted 10
grant these franchises by a majority vote.
The bills were discussed for long time
IN the Senate, but only Senators Elsberg
and Grady took part. The bills were passed
by a strict party vote Of IS to IS, with the
exception that Senator McCarren, the
Democratic leader Of Brooklyn, voted for
the mesaure.
The general contention was made IN
favor Of the bills that the Board OF Esti-
mate and Appointment. which COM
prises city officers elected at large. would
be a more representative body to deal
with the public franchise question In New
York city and would be much less suscep-
tfble to outside considerations In voting
upon such questions than Is the Board Of
Aldermen, which Is largely composed Of
men who are supreme in then own small
districts, and consequently cannot be
reached or aroused by public sentiment.
The Assembly also took up these bills,
which were introduced by AssemblymAn
Stanley. They came up on the order Of
second reading, and the Democrats made
such a vigorous protest against their adj
vancement that only one bill was ad-
vanced tonight The two other bills were
aid aside, until tomorrow.
According to Assemblyman Amew (Rep.,
N. ", the Legislature will not be able
to adjourn on April 20, let alone April p,
as contained in the resolution which passed
the Assembly last week. He said the gas
investigating committee, Of which he Is
a member, will not be able to finish its
work In tins TO get report TO the Legis-
lature before the 2Oth. He also said that
the investigation has brought out the fact
that gas can be manufactured and sold at
a good profit for 50 cents. The talk to-
night was that the final adjournment Of
the Legislature might be delayed until
By a party vote, the Assembly passed
the Annual Supply bill, carrying an appro-
priAtion Of nearly 100000. Minority
Leader Palmer and Assemblyman Fuller
Dem, KinRs) offered amendments which
had a bearing on the claims Of the Repub-
leans In the campaign last fall.
Mr.. Palmer's amendment struck out the
item Of $4,000 TO provide for deficiencies
In the various State departments, calling
attention TO the fact that the Republicans
last fall had boosted that there were no
deficiencies.
Mr.. Fuller's amendment was aimed at the
lump sums allowed State Officers in lieu OF
expenses, which he maintained were nothing
but increases In salaries and amount TO
$4,000 a year. The amendments were
voted down.
The Assembly passed the bill which pro-
vides that no distractions shall be placed
on fire escapes on tenement houses In New
York city, The bill also provides that fire
escapes shall be properly connected from
each balcony with iron stairways, and
that there shall be a goose neck ladder
leading from the top balcony 10 the roof
and an adequate drop ladder from the
lowest balcony leading 70 the ground.
No FIRE escape will be deemed lawful II
located in an inner shaft or inner court
whose horizontal least dimension 10 less
than fifteen feet, nor II located In an outer
court the length Of which exceeds thirty
feet,
Senator Stevens's two bills providing for
semi-annual examinations by directors Of
banks and trust companies and requiring
that communications from the banking
superintendent In regard TO an invostiga-
ton OF recommendation pertaining TO the
conduct Of a bank OF trust company shall
be submi tied by, the officer receiving Il TO
the board Of directors or trustees OF the
bank or trust company, passed the As
sembly.
Senator Fitzgerald introduced a bill
providing for three cent fares on street sur
face railroads throughout the State.