New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-14
Writ For ALDERMEN.
SHOW HOLD-UP CAUSE.
action on Connecting RaiIzCay Fran
chise-BM to End Poz0er.

writ from Justice Dic1ey ordering the Board
OF Aldermen to show cause and bill introduced
by Senator Elsberg at Albany taking away their
franchise giving power We're the missiles hurled
by the Transportation Reform League Of Brook
Ign at the aldermen last night to cause a break
up of the hold-up of the New-York connecting
railroad franchise
AS already stated in The Tribune, the Com
mittee on Bridges and Tunnels of the board of
which Alderman Timothy P. Sullivan ("Little
Tim') is chairman has since last June refused
10 take any action on the application of the
New-York Connecting Railroad Company for
franchise. The members of the committee have
given no public for their action.
The franchise was granted by the Rapid Tran
sit Commission after it had been considered for
about year. The terms are acceptable to the
members of the commission and to the Board
of Estimate. President Orr says that the COM
pany ought to have the franchise. So does
Controller Grout. Alderman Sullivan says that
the Pennsylvania is a robber company and
should not have much OF anything but trouble.
He proposes to furnish the trouble. His COM
mittee met yesterday at the City Hall and dis
posed Of minor matters. Nothing done with
the connecting railway franchise application
It don't think we will hear anything further
from those people" said Mr.. Sullivan yesterday
to Tribune reporter. when they that
there good chance of having the truth told
about their affairs they took back seat. We
will act on the franchise when we are convinced
that there is a public demand for action"
The battle is on now between the business in
terests Of Brooklyn and the Murphy interests in
the aldermen. The order to show cause granted
by Justice Dickey will be served President
Fornes of the Board of Aldermen before the
session this afternoon. 1t requires the aldermen
10 UruiS reaS yyfy yvr Of
mandamus should issue compelling the
board to take action On the franchise. The
plaintiffs do not ask that the action be favorab
or unfavorable. The demand is that some action
be taken at once In case Justice Dickey
grants peremptory writ the aldermen will obey
it go to jail.
I'VE do not particularly whether the
aldermen decide to approve the franchise
not" said ex-Borough President Swanstrom yes
terday. IF the aldermen do not want to grant
the people of Brooklyn chance to share the
benefits in the improvements now under way by
the Pennsylvania interests let them so indi-
cate. We will get the franchise, whether they
assent or not We do ask, however. that they
do something. Mr.. Sullivan says that the peo-
pie of Brooklyn are against this franchise for
the reason that it will allow the railroad COM
pany to occupy the streets with steam cars
That is not So This is a franchise to allow
the Pennsylvania interests to build connect
ing link from Bushwick, in Brooklyn. across
Wards and Randalls islands high bridge
to Port Morris to a junction with the New
Haven road. Unless the connecting link is built
the entire scheme OF improvements for Brook
Ign will be of no effect. The company want
to begin practical operation the construction
of this link at The State and the War
Department have given the necessary consents
for the building. The only obstacle now Is the
Board of Aldermen"
When President Fornes was seen last night
he said:
I have not been served with any writ in
connection with the franchise asked for by the
connecting railroad people. 1t is surprise
to me, however, that the business men OF Brook
Ign have decided to appeal to the courts 1
stated to the board last week that the business
of the board was to cooperate in pushing for
ward public business and not hinder it, I shall
bring the matter to the attention of the board
again to-day, whether served with writ
or not.