New-York tribune., 1905-03-07
ATTACK BEDELL BILL.
Mayor Sends Telegram 4ssuring
Meeting That He Is against 1t.

Unanimous disapproval of Assembly bill No. 57S
(the so-called "Bedel railway grab') in It's applt-
cation to the New-York City Railway Company. in
giving that company power to remove unused
tracks in this city and yet preserve the franchise
therefor. especially with regard to the outer two
OF the four tracks in Amsterdam-ave was ex-
pressed last evening at meeting of the taxpayers
and voters of the West SIDE The meeting was
under the direction Of a committee OF represen-
tatves Of religious civic and political organizations
OF that section, III the assembly han OF parish
house OF st. Michaels Protestant Episcopal Church
at No 225 West eeth-st.
The gathering was productive OF vigorous and
unmstakable expressions of objection to the hill
RESOLUTIONS were adopted calling on the Mayor 10
oppose the passage of the bill. That the Mayor
was in accord with the sentiment Of the gather
ing was indicated by a telegram he sent to IT. as
suring the West Sders of his support
one Of the most vigorous expressions of opno
siuoh 10 the bill was a suggestion, credited TO
Juilus 7enry Cohen, who has appeared for the Cit
izens Union at Albany, and presented by ex-sen-
ator Ford. that Assemb lyman Bedell be attacked
in his own district Neyburg by missionaries sent
from New-York City, in the next campaign with
the OBJECT OF preventing his reelection that hs
might introduce more such bills
The Rev. Dr. John P. Peters rector of st Mich
aels Church, presided. After announcing the
purpose OF the meeting and the present situation
in regard to the tracks in Amsterdam he read
telegram from Mayor Mcclellan as follows:
I am qnalterably opposed to the needless tracks
operation of
thereon. # the railroad companies have vested
rights ies them seek the protection of the courts.
The public streets should be devoted public
purposes, and any measure which seeks 10 reserve
TO railroad companies rights In the streets injurious
to the people should be defeated You may count
upon my support.
Father John ]. Kean. pastor of the Church of
the Holy Name of Jesus. Amsterdam and
G6th-st.. the first speaker. He denounced the
methods of the street railway corporation and pict-
ured the dangers to persons using the avenue with
four surface tracks in operation.
Congressman William S. Bennett spoke of the
pers TO school children, OF whom hundreds cross
Amsterdam daily. should four tracks be per-
mittsd to be operated there.
why not appeal TO the Governor" asked man
in the audience.
Il don't believe Governor Higgins viii Sign this
bill if it reaches him. said ex-senator Ford.
President Franklin Leonard. Jr.. Of the Nameoki
Club and Father Tierney also spoke against the
bill
Charles De Hart Brewer. secretary OF the com
nittee in charge OF the meeting. read the resolu-
tons which he drafted. After stating the ostensi-
bic and alleged intent of the Beden bill. It is re-
solved
That we call upon the Mayor OF this city to op-
pose the passage OF said bill as inimical TO the
legislature from this city to speak and against
said bill, and to demand that the rights or this
spected, and that we request the Corporation
Counsel of this city that Instead OF abandoning
and disseminating the present litigation, he bring
hearing at the earliest practicable moment
the appeal taken by the railway company from
the decision affirming the city's right to remove
the unused tracks on ATnsterdam-ave.
This resolution was adopted with laundering
chorus of ayes. There was not one dissenting