New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-26
STEINWAY GRAB Up AGAIN
4ssemblyman Surprised at Purpose
Of Bill, WHhdra1rS 1t.
tBy Telegraph TO The Tribune. D

Albany Jan 25.-The first temperance Of the
Steinway Tunnel grab" occurred to-day when
Senator Davis and Assemblyman Steele intro
duced a measure practically identicaR with the
one introduced last year by Senator Raines,
which the Steinway Tunnel Company later ad-
mitted intended 10 validate its franchises.
The bill was handed 10 Assemblyman Steele for
introduction by a man from his own county. He
was greatly surprised when its real scope was
made known to him and at once set about pre-
pairing an amendment TO # which should rob 4
Of It's offensive character.
So indignant did Assemblyman Steele feel
about this bill when Assemblyman Young and
Assemblyman Francis and others OF the New
York delegation took him 10 task for introduce
ing it that he withdrew it, The measure was
not read this morning. but having been put into
the bill box it stands on the rscords and prob
ably Will be printed. Mr.. Steele declared TO
Travis II. Whitney of the Citizens Union, who
he would oppose it himself If necessary.
The Davis bill in the Senate, exactly the same
measure, followed the regular course and was
referred 10 committee. The bill provides for the
extension OF the time Of completion of railroads
in existence in January. 1904 which have ac-
QuiTed at least One-third of the right of way, or
shall heretofore have obtained a certificate from
the Railroad Commissioners that public COnven-
fence requires the construction Of such railroads
for three years from January l, 1904. Assem-
blyman Steele said that the measure was drawn
to apply to the CooperstOwn and Fort Plain
ROAD, IN Herklmer county, ana tnat II there
was any question as TO a broader application, he
would add a clause excepting cities of the first
and second classes.
Except for a few changes in the wording this
measure is exactly the bill which, when intro
duced last year by Senator Ralnes. moved
through committees with great rapidity and
ease until the opposition of various civic or
CARNATIONS of New-York City unmasked it and
brought to its defence the Steinway Tunnel
Company Even then, the Goodseu and Els
berg bills, of much the same kind. were passed
by the Senate, but died in the Rules Committee
Of the Assembly. The opposition OF the New
York civic bodies defeated the Raines bin I'm the
Senate on next TO the last day of the session.
Since this bill is identical with the Raines
bill Of last year, it is not too wide a stretch of
the imagination to believe that It is meant IN
benefit the Steinway Tunnel Company" said r
II. Whitney, Of the Citizens Union, TODAY TT
this connection it ought to be remembered that
the lawyer who drew the bill last wear has beaD
seen at the Capitol in the last few days The
Citizens Union will oppose this bill vigorousIv
The argument that it applies to only a small
upstate road was exactly the reply made last
year as to the Raines bill, but when IN vras
attacked the Steinway Tunnel Company in
paid advertisement admitted that the Rainas
bin, the Goodsell bill and the Elsberg bin yyare
part Of a plan 70 validate the charter and fran
Chises of the company"