New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-14
T4HN4NY CHIEFS PLEAD.
Urge Public Utilities Commission -
to Steal Hearst Thunder.
LRy Heleerarh to The Tribune !

Albany. Feb 13.-AH the big Tammany chiefs
from Charles F, Murphy and that temporary &C
QUESTION. Bourke Cochran, TO W. Hepburn Russell
late of Missouri came here to-day 10 plead for the
passage of Senator Gradys bill creating a Public
Utilities Commission" for New-York city. The bill
is step toward municipal ownership devised by
Tammanys legal corps as the best thing it could
put forth 10 keep prediction promises and still
steal the thunder Of the Hearst workers.
Incidentally. NJ Cochran. the heavy speaker
Of the delegation showed would enable the public
service corporations, II they only lived righteous
life 10 make fair profits and give the city better
service than the city could give itself
Senator White chairman of the Cities Commit
tee, before which the hearing was held gave a
luncheon for Mr. Murphy. Mr.. Cochran and a few
Others at the Fort Orange Club. The visit de-
veloped few amusing incidents. One the ap-
parently cordial chat which Mr.. Murphy had with
Senator McCarren. Another was the conversation
between Mr.. Murphy and Assemblyman Leslie
Tompkins. known as Mayor McC1elan's representa-
n. Marley Platzek the first Tamrlany speaker.
y9a g9| a OF the d in car SER
De brought about II the legislature would let the
There will he no question of politics in this" he
from the CITY administration which may or may
NOT be Of the predominant political faith OF the
board TIE Board Of Estimate may or may not
be OF tneir political character. II il becames Il
law, this measure will be q great boon 10 the
Bourke Cochran argued that while no public util-
ties controlled by city or nation ever gave half
SooQ service as dlQ those owned by private enter
prises. * sometimes became the duty OF city or
State to take charge OF public utilities operate
them, or devise methods by which the corpora
tons could be compelled to give the best possible
service. William Hepburn Russell. Charles n.
Knox and Daniel F COhalan followed him.
conditions pertaining to traffic and lighting
are SUCH said Mr.. Russell. that the people of
New-York are almost in panic, Without regard
to party or creed, they knocking the door
Of the legislature 10 demand protection for the
I'VE want some system fixed to prevent this merg-
ing and merging and merging, and the watering
and watering and rewate7ing OF the little capital
invested In these public service companies until
the water supply of New-York almost could ba
obtained from the securities issued by these con-
Municipal contro! Of these enterprises is neces-
sarT before We can get adequate service. Munich
pal control, with perhaps municipal administra-
ton. and behind that the whip of municipal own
L,e"is Mixer said that the bill furnished ready
means OF appeal from abuse by the working peo-
PIE, ara SO was a link between them and the pow
e-s which would enforce betterment- Scna tor
Graoy said he was willing the bill should be
Amended to make the commissioners elective
The commission" Senator Grady added, explain
ing his bill would give ready attention to any
complaints about evil conditions in the rush hours
for instance, and would have At hand the way
10 o35mDe: The remedying Of such evils 1t could
proNoe solutions for the disgraceful conditions
prevailing at ire Brooklyn Bridge, even if such
solution consisted IN ordering free ferry passage
TO Brooklyn on every ferry during rush hours"