New-York tribune., 1906-12-03
C. g. TO FIGHT GRABS.
PLANS 4CTITE CAMPAIGN.
Legislative Programme of Reform
Is Being Prepared.


legislative session get wiped off the statute
books lot of laws which granted valuable fran
chises to concerns which never have taken adyan-
tage of them. Officers of that organization
preparing legislative programme which contem-
plates the Introduction of bills TO that end we'll
as measures to produce various other reforms which
the Union deems necessary TO good government
This is distinctly feature in the work Of
the Citizens Union, which in other years has con-
fined its efforts almost entirely TO opposing vicious
legislation ard supporting good bills, and only
in two or three instances mapped out a legislative
campaign for the passage of bills prepared and ad-
vocated by its committees It's work along the other
lines will be continued this year in enlarged form,
and the Union hopes to enlist with It in this work
organizations in other cities of the state
AT the very beginning of the session of 1901 the
Citizens Union will cause to be introduced DILL TO
repeal the charter of the New York and New Jer-
sey Bridge Company. the made notorious
by the West street grab scandal. The charter
held by this concern is typical OF the class which
the Union intends fight Senator Cogseshall who
was not renon1inated. introduced last bill TO
extend the time for the construction Of the bridge
permitted by the charter, but it opposed on
every hand. and eventually died in the Rules Com
mittee of the Assembly. Senator CoggeshaH recent
ly announced that he intended come to New
York practise law. but that much of his time
would be spent at Albany.
STATES TO BUILD BRIDGES.
Although the charter possessed by this company
granted it the right build Il bridge OF much
value, nothing ever done toward actual work
on the bridge. Under bill introduced at the last
session by Senator SAKE which became law, and
similar bill passed by the New Jersey Legislature.
interstate bridge commission has been in con-
ference during the last summer, and has agreed on
report. which will be presented the legislatures
mendins thres 5dses sNss across ths aadson II the
West street grab charter sti existed, that COM
Il they determined build bridges from the public
funds, by laying claim 10 whatever site the com
mission
terIniped TO begin its campaign with bill to repeal
the sf F5d 9 I m viii be 0Hg On @ Of ..
year There are many other concerns whose char
ters should be repealed, the Citizens Union be.
up to the agreements they made with the state
when the laws were made giving those char
pointed by officials OF the Union that the city
now is involved in lawsuits over the steinway tun-
mel which never need have been begun IL the
franchise had been wiped out The company itself
at one time in paid newspaper advertisements ad-
mitted tha & the franchise was iHPerfect ana tnst
Qres we're needed 70 perfect that frsnchise. Ine
Union holds that such franchises should come from
the city. not the Legislature.
CITY CLUB TO AID CITIZENS UNION.
In connection with the City Club. the Citizens
Union will press bills for reorganization of the
Police Der artment, which be drafted by
Joint committee OF the two organizations. con-
ference the police situation held several
days ago az which the conferrees voted 10 have
Joint committee to prepare the bills. Just what
ttese bills will recommend has not been decided
formation of central Office OF criminal investiga-
ton, which killed last year because of oppOsi-
uon from the police. Will not be among those pre-
ss1ted at the coming session.
Ballot reform win be another subject I'm which
the Union will be interested While the Organiza-
@ bes in tRe Eeon Ws ts ssoe
Jion which now is drafting bills providing for the
system OF election inspection, Il may have similar
bills Of its cwn or supplemental measures
ne ne LeglslaiHre ana us reports on the record OF
yae ye memneTs % WI W 4e continued ana ampIIed next
The Union a lawyer of No. l54 Nassau street, is
this work This coming year he will be registered
as the Legislative agent Of the Union. He reads
ports are made to the legislative COMMITTEES of the
I1 en1ion WHICH looks up obscure bills and sometimes
measures; If Mr.; whitney on first examination
WITH the Widest possBe @ 4PHsff P1Pcy If fR es
lative committee after careful investigation finds
committee hearings and by arousng public inter
est to bring pressure on members of the Legisla-
RECORD OF VOTES IS KEPT
Records are kept by Mr.. Whitney OF the votes
all important bills and the methods of work Of
New York members in committee and on the floor
well as the kind of legislation they advocate
and oppose. These are later published and form
the basis for the Unions advocacy or opposition
TO the individual legislators in subsequent cleo
tons. This work has been confined the New
York members, but during the coming year rec
ords will be kept Of upstate we'll
the coming session will be the making public
each week Of a complete list Of all the important
various committees since the essential part of
the Tnfon's campaign against bad bills is publicity
posing vicious legislation The legislative commit
will ne able 10 gather together delegations 10
pear before committees short notice, and the
keeping OF a public record OF the dates set for
''iockeying" OF hearings which has characterized
some committees in other years in their handling
important bills.