The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-31
CALLSGLDBRMEN HOLD.UP MEN
GROUT SAYS THEY'RE OBSTACLES
TO THE CITY'S PROGRESS

Ana cites Instances OF Graft Alleged
Demand for "a. 900 To Pass n SIS 900
Contract -Penna. Tunnel Franchise
Held Up for "Discreditable Motives"
Comptroller Grout attended meeting
in tho Murray Hill Lyceum last night called
by the Central Federated Union TO protest
against the holding up Of franchises by the
Board Of Aldermen. The Comptroller
didn't find an altogether friendly audience.
He was heckled for voting against inserting
the eight hour clause in the Pennsylvania
tunnel contract two years ago, but be re-
piled with such spirit that the Questioners
we're discom6ted, while he was applauded.
The meeting was opened by A. j. BoultOn
Of the Stereotypers' Union, who said the
Aldermen were acting in a disRraceful
manner by holding back important fran
chises on which they ought to act. Tx
Senator John Ford talked. SO did John s.
Crosby, and resolutions were carried con-
demning the Aldermen for franchise delays
dictated by motives and intended 10 ac-
compish arrangements and acts in the
apprehension OF which the Board Of Alder
men has lost public confidence. Then
came Mr.. Grout. who said
1t Is not light thing to say that any
body Of public officials should be disposed
Of, yet the Board Of Aldermen is to-day
in the position Of a body which has lost IL
usefulness In spite Of Charter which gave
It incalculable power for good. IL Is like
the man in the parable who hid his talent
in q napkin Like him IL has proved an
unfaithful servant. IL tried two years ago
10 gain the friendship Of the labor unions
by the pretenCe Of desire 10 insert an
eight hour clause In the franchise Il gave
for the Pennsylvania tunnel. a thing It
could not legally do"
How did you vote on that matter and
how do you stand with regard to organized
lHbor?- interrupted a union delegate.
The chairman raped for order, but
Mr.. Grout interpOsed let the gentleman
speak, he said, I'm answer him. am
in favor Of the eight hour work day for
working people. but l did not then and
do not now believe that under the statute
: eight hour law clause could - have
been inserted.
Weren't you put on the Central Federated
insertion Of this clause?' asked another
man.
Z might or might not have been re-
piled Mr.. Circuit.
You can blacklist me II you like 10 the
end Of time, but that won't get me 10 vote
on a proposition that is illegal As 10 the
eight hour work day, am in favor Of Il on
general principles. Applause.
sThe Board Of Aldermen held up the
Pennsylvania franchise for months on the
pretence that its members were trying
10 get the eight hour provision inserted,
They were simply playing with the labor |.
unions, some Of them for considerations /
Of their own.
Were these considerations money con /
a Socialist asked
"Sit down." shouted the audience.
I'm answer him said Mr.. Grout. 1T /
vas common rumor down town that the /
were not such as would be Z
'reditable to the parties If made public. |
was told some time ago by man that |
le had a contract for some water piping |
or the city at $1,000 but learned that |
,efore il could pass the Board Of Aldermen /
70 would have 10 give up 81 900 70 some one
# Estimate met and he could save the
2 900.
why. only the other day a member
4 the board told me that things are not
eld up for nothing The board is a hold-up
,ody, not a body for the service Of the
eople. | know the board il angry at
ne. II voted down plan Of mine 20 spend
! 10000 for Fairgrounds on the East Sidc
or the tenement children simply from
pite, after the Mayor and the heads Of the
apartments decided in favor Of it
He denounced the board a. an obstacle
o the development Of the city and said
hat the city's business could not be trans
cted by a board Of seventv-two men.
ach representing a given district. He
dvocated a smaller board Of Aldermen
I large as best able 20 repIcrInt the city.