New-York tribune., 1906-02-24
WINS ATTACKS ORR.
HTIRS TRANSIT MEETING.
n. 4. Commissions Head Would
Block Hughes, He Says.

Alexander F. Orr, president OF the Rapid Tran
sit Commission. was bitterly attacked by VIII
lam NJ. Twins at meeting held under the au
spices Of the Peoples Institute 10 discuss th'
Elsherg Rapid Transit bin In Cooper Union las
night II was q meeting full OF exciting Incl
dents among which was the giving out at th'
door OF a handbill which attacked the foui
speakers announced TO speak in favor OF the
bill as secret agents of the traction thieves.
Later I. s. Bedford. who signed the statements
attempted TO explain his meaning. but did not
meet with any encouragement
Referring 10 the present subway. which he
said represented profit Of S60ooooco. MT
Twins said that the contract under which II was
constructed and is operated was one of the most
wasteful ever made.
III was made" he said. "by that sacro-sanct
Alexander f. Orr. who tonight is spending his
time trying 10 see how he can frustrate MI
Hughes from passing a bill that will force him
out Of his Office as president of the New-Yor
Life Insurance Company. Perhaps you do not
know who Mr.. Orr is. I VIII tell you"
Then the speaker read from the Directory Of
Directors the long list of corporations Of which
the head of the Rapid Transit Commission is a
director trustee Among them was the New
York Life Insurance Company. He was then
tr1stee," said Mr.. WINS "and permitted the
things TO go on that broke Mr.. Mccall and sent
-
Paris.
Now, I say that II is nothing more than in
decent that Mr.. Orr should be connected with
such a long list of companies. for IT is beyond
the possibility OF human man TO perform the
duties OF trustee in many enterprises. When
you understand that he is old and bent with age,
although he stin considers himself capable Of
coping with rapid transit problems. he must
consider that he has the power Of twenty Her
culeses."
To explain the attitude that the City Club has
taken in opposition TO the Elsberg bill. Mr. WINS
said that c. T. Mellen. chairman OF the rapid
transit committee of that organization, was
counsel for Ryan's New York City Railway
Company
Z understand" he sdded that in view of the
changed conditions brought about by the merger
he is not whether he is still counsel or not;
but he is not before the people and the legs-
ature in this matter in purity Of spirit and with
out the taint Of the dollar"
After declaring that he understood the Page
BILL which is meant a substitute for the Els
berg bill, was introduced al the instance OF the
City club the speaker said he could say that it
came from the suggestion of Lemuel z. Quigg.
'the MachiaveIi Of the Republican party"
Mr.. WINS spoke of a rapid transit bill which
rassed the legislature some years ago. and
present problems
1t was vetoed by a Tammany Mayor" he
added We know whose voice was behind IT,
II was that Of the man who occupies the Mayors
Office in the City Hail. and whose mouselike
silence now is the most puzzling thing about the
whole situation"
The proposed Lexington-ave.. 3d-ave. and 7th
end Sth routes. Mr. WINS said, had been laid
out to ht the Ryan and Belmont schemes. and
would tend only to congest the present system.
You can understand he added. their neces-
sity for having man in the City Hall and why
they gave large contributions TO Mayor McCleI-
Ian. They poured money into his till. and if the
books of the Democratic campaign committee
were to be opened would find upon whom
those interests have mortgage"
As arranged. the meeting was to have been IN
the form Of q debate. George w Wickersharn
and Joseph Auerbach accepted invitations to
speak in opposition 70 the Elsberg bill but sent
excuses al the last minute. The City Club was
asked 10 haze representative to explain its
opposition but ssnt letter saying that they be-
heved the bin would seriously menace the
speedy completion of more subways. There were
no speakers in opposition.
Professor Charles sprague Smith. of the Peo-
pies Institute. who presided asked those of the
audience who would rather wal1 for a few wears
IL that were necessary. rather than have the
subway built In the interests of the present rail
road magnates or others to stand Almost every
one OF the fifteen hundred persons stood up.
Only four persons voted for the negative of the
proposition.
Professor Smith was rather excited when he
opened the meeting. The giving out of the
handbills AT the door. which he said was against
an established rule of the institute. had annoved
MN exceedingly. ii stated, among other things
that Mr. WINS had been thrust upon the Renub-
Aoan mayoralty ticket by Edward Laute-bach
after Frank Moss had been decided upon for the
nomination Mr.. Bedford, who was I'm the au-
oience, tried TO explain it by reference TO a
newspaper story, and Mr.. Wins said be .yas not
responsible for what the newspapers said
Professor Smith dramatically asked the citi-
zens in the audience last night TO rise and
wanted It noted that three-qusrters Of the au-
dienoe stood up. in spite Of the fact that many
OF the audience were women and children.
As to our knowledge Of the Constitution and
laws, said Professor Smith. ten or a dozen men
from these audiences would know more of the
essentials OF government than ten college grad
oates. ten business Inen ten college professors
OUTSIDE OF the department of economies who
might be picked out"
when the political socialists in the audience
we're asked 10 stand about fifty got up
5ut II II be socialism for a country TO IA Ike
over lts gas plants. railroads. telegraph lines
144O other pODlc utilities, then the German ICm-
peror is q socialist and many of the Er,Iroraan n
countries are socialistic"
Inc widest enthusiasm greeted Professor
oiihth remarks. Among The other enea Lers
Elnrichs. nv 'eu w