New-York tribune., 1905-04-14
ELSBERG BILLS TO MAYOR
FRANCHISE POWER GOES.
assembly Passes Measures 4fecting
Local Board Of Aldermen.
icy TELEGRAPH 10 TIE TRIBUNE.l ]

lBE TELEGRAPH 10 TIE TRIBUNEl
Albany. april l3.-The programme TO lose no
.irae in making iaWs OF the three ElsberC bills
stripping the ,SeN-gork City Board OF Aldermen
~ the much abused power of granting fran
chises was carried out to-day along the lines
.nocated in The Tribune two days ago, when
.be measures passed the Senate In spite OF
she opposition OF forty-three Democrats and
shree Republicans. these measures passed the
assembly after the expected debate and now
rc ~ Mayor Mcclellan. The Mayor has fifteen
sqvs in which 10 consider them. and II ne vetoes
,bero. as there is every probability Of hts doing.
7bey wil Immediately be repassed and signed
nv The Governor.
Governor Higgins said this afternoon that ne
had received no requests for a hearing, but that
eon,e might come after the bills we're really in
his hands Three Brooklyn Democrats. Messrs.
Fuller Dale and Kayanaugh. voted with the
,oa5orty for the bills. while BIessrs. Dowling,
Francisco. O'Nein and Perry. Of Kings. and
Prentice. Of New-York, all Republicans, Joined
The Democrats in the negative. IN explaining
his vote 8r Fuller said;
am compelled 10 differ from the minority.
srle sentiment in favor of the bills is too strong
and TOO general 10 be manufactured. ard feel
ihat I lnust abide by it,
Nr Dale said: Il see no reason for apologizing
for supporting these bills. Charges have been
made ae1Lnst the Board Of Aldermen. Consid-
ering what the Pennsylvania Railroad is trying
,o6o and rhe great improvements that il is SEEK
ing 10 make there is only one course TO pursue.
ryery member from New-York City who has
tbe interest os the city at heart must vote for
ihe bills
The Democratic attack was along the lines
laid down by Senator Grady when the bills went
through the Senate. Unable TO find any new
arguments. Minority Leader Palmer spoke as
follows:
FAcausa the Board OF Aldermen refused TO
rranr The franchises desired by the Pennsyl-
vauia Railroad without safeguarding the inter-
ests of the city YOU come here TO take away all
their power excepting the power 20 perform mar
rf7reS Before these bills passed the Senate
rad reuresentatiVes of the Pennsylvania COM
psny men Of standing i'm the Republican party.
came 10 ask for them. other men, PIe1eiiulis
70 represent organizations. but really IN the
same interest indirectly. also urged thelr pas
sage. AS soon IS these bills had passed. anotner
brI extending for five years the time for the
ron7rIation Of The New York Connecting Rail-
49, yyss rassed |tv the Senate without provid-
src anv conpensat ton TO the city. If these bills
arr paSsed a franchise can be granted after the
Sun goes down in New York City and NOBODY
WIN know il until after it has been done.
arr Burnett. chairman Of the Cities Com
sniree. defended The bills. saying:
Why are the people of New-York City in favor
o. them? We need only look at the splendid
mans for Improvement which have been pro-
posed boy the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
end al obstacles which have been thrown IN
their way The people OF the city have been
amazed Jhat a few interests the character Of
(Which j shall not mention have been able to
hinder this work ] DO not know that question
able methods We're employed. but ] do know
shat when fair and honest interests knocked at
she door Of the aldernsnic chamber they were
net with hlndrances, procrastination, misstate-
Inents and picaylne obstacles. until the people
arose and said they would tolerate it no longer
Mr. o'Neil. OF Brooklyn. opposed the bills on
The ground that they gave Manhattan pre-
pondersnce Of power in franchise matters. Mr.
Tompkins, a Tanmany member. tried 10 have
The bills amended by submitting the question,
'shan The power OF the Board OF Aldermen be
curtailed2" 20 the people at the next election.
His motion was lost by a vote of % 10 SO.
IN explaining his vote against the bills. Mr..
Prentice said:
believe that two things are necessary 70
protect The public rights I'm the granting OF
franchises-public consideration and discussion
and minority criticism. These are had in the
Board n Aldermen. but they are not in the
Board n Estimate and Apportonment.
IN lhe Board OF Aldermen there public
hearings and public discussions and minority
criticism. There also have been, and are now,
members Of the board who are competent, fear
Jess and honest 1t may he necessary so TO safe
guard the actions Of aldermen that they VIII
not be able 10 hold up franchises IA order TO
force brfbes, IS they have done. Those safe
guards can he put in the charter in the sections
relating 10 granting Of FRANCHISES. as they have
with those safeguards 1 believe that the power
% grant franchises should remain in the Board
q Aldermen
Il Is dangerous IN the extreme TO place IN the
hands Of seven men. who may act secretly and
quickly, the power 10 grant most valuable street
railway franchises in this country. The present
Board of Estimate and Apportionment contains
men OF high character. but II the city should go
neek 10 such a board as II had under Van
Wycls administration # would be exposed TO
greas loss
As soon the bnl passed. Mr.. wilsnack. OF
Queens. introduced Controller Grout's bill to
ebo!sh the Board Of Aldermen altogether, trans
serring its functions 10 the Board Of Estimate
and the Bureau of Licenses. II provides that
sfter January ]. 1906 the members OF the
Board u Aldermen shall act only in their capa-
CITY rs members Of the local Improvement
boards. Two new members Of the Board OF
Estimate are 20 be chosen at large at salaries OF
eloooO, and the president OF the Board Of Alder
men is 10 act as Vice-Mayor.