New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-22
! ELSBERG BILL AMENDED
NORETAINER, SAYS GRADY
Change, Learning Routes to r. T..
Board, Barely Passes Senate.
[By Telegraph to The tribune

Such fashion that according 10 the supporters
Of the original bill. the Belmont Ryan traction
monopoly need fear no independent opposition
The amended bill will leave wholly at the dis
erection Of the Rapid Transit Commission the
routes for future subways. and in effect will
interfere in way with the routes at present
mapped out These routes the ones desired
by the merger company, since they comprise all
the extensions of the existing subway system
which would be profitable for the traction people
and practically shut out any Independent bid
ding or operation OF competing lines.
Discussion Of the amendment, which was Of
fered by Senator Grady at the request, he said
/ of counsel for the Rapid Transit Commission
abounded in stormy scenes Senator Esoerg
fought tooth and nail against any mutilation OF
his measure. Senator Grady contended as pas
sionately for the amendment It's defeat he
asserted would delay the proposed extensions
Of subway rapid transit at least three years.
Brooklyn representatives, led by Senator
Cooper. echoed that they wanted rapid transit
whether It came from the traction trust or any
body else Senators White and Human rallied
to Senator Elsberg's rescue, but their combined
efforts were powerless to stay the change
VOTES OPENLY SOLICITED.
Not since the defeat last year Of the So-cent
gas bill has there been such open solicitation Of
votes on the floor of the Senate. Senator Els
berg in trying to prevent the change in his BILL
visited the desk Of practically every Senator OF
whom he had the least hope, while Senators
Grady Cooper. Gardner, McCarren and Malby
and other opponents of the Elsberg bill labored
nobIy for its amendment and recommittal.
7 want to announce right now that am not
talking for any retainer" said Senator Grady
his face flushed his arms waving wildly. Il am
not talking Just to influence votes to make
good. I'm not arguing in any private interests
no matter what these whispers which have been
going around the room may say. / know who
has been whispering, and I know the proper
antidote for this person. but have not the in
clnation or the facilities to administer it."
The vote on the amendment was by no means
a party vote; Republicans and Democrats
divided. Among the supporters Of the Grady
amendment were Senators Cassidy. Coggeshall
Goodsell. L'Hommedieu. Malby, McCarren and
Wilcox
The Elsberg bill will probably be delayed until
next week. since it will have to be reprinted and
then lie on the clerks desk for three days. Sen
ator Elsbers announced his intention of pushing
it TO passage at the earliest opportunity. decar-
ing that now there could be no possible objec-
ton any further amendments Sentiment
here is divided as to the chance for passage and
the future usefulness Of the measure. Repre-
sontatives Of some of the New York civic or
CARNATIONS say the bill is emasculated. 1t prob
ably viii pass, however in this amended form.
L.
The amendment proposed by Senator Grady
was TO strike out from the bill the following
sentence:
The railroad or railroads constructed for and
at the expense of such city after this section
| takes effect shall be laid out primarily with
view 10 It's or their most serviceable and profit
able operation, Independent Of any transpor-
tatlOn line or lines then operating constructing
or contracted for, except railroads operated for
ana on behalf of such city, but also with view
Dot md fr1fa 81
(by transfers or otherwise and to such CO.
ordination with said lines and with other transit
facilities and terminals shall best subserve
the public interest and convenience
This provision, Senator Grady maintained,
would require the abandonment of every route
laid out by the Rapid Transit Commission, on
most Of which the consents Of property owners
had been obtained. All these routes had been
approved by the Board Of Estimate and Appor-
tonment he said. What routes would be sub
sututed in Difference TO the '1dealstic doctrine
Of competition" could not be worked in con-
junction with existing systems. The Cities Com
mlltee never would have reported the bill II they
had realized this.
7 am not insensibIe that there exist in New
York traction conditions which constitute prac-
ucally a transit monopoly" said he but I
voice the sentiment OF the city when say that
The Bronx and Brooklyn and Queens are SO af-
fected that they are willing to have the monop-
oily extended if it will bring the transit facilities
they need so badly. The bill in its present shape
Senator Elsberg at once strobe out from his
desk into the centre aisle, pacing up and down
in his excitement as he defended his bill.
Senator Grady seems TO fear that the routes
already laid out Will be abandoned" said he
shaking his fingers almost directly under his
opponents nose. Practically every future sub
/ way route for decades to come has been laid ont
and approved by the Board Of Estimate. There
has been q merger of the only two transportation
/ agencies in New York. The people are abso-
lutely at the mercy Of the transit corporation
We've cot ahead of MS a tremendous daveIop
ment OF the subway system. All. future routes
/ must be laid out the lines would be suscep-
ube Of Independent operation. By that 1 don't
| mean necessarily Independent Of the present sub
way, but independent Of any existing surface or
elevated lines. The counsel to the Rapid Transit
Commission, Mr. Rves and Mr. Boardman told
me when they were opposing this bill that tho
present routes were laid out with just that I'm
mind"
| SENATOR WHITE TO THE DEFENCE.
Senator White declared that competition was
! the only possible means of assuring transit re-
! lief to New York competition from independent
| lines and independent bidding as the EIsberq
! bill provided. Senator Grady retorted that the
existing subway and the plans in contemplation
! by the Belmont interests assured the peopIe Of
| fair treatment
Does the injection Of $1OOOOO.OOO Of water
into the capitalization of the merger indicate
| any disposition on the part OF these peopIe n
| deal fairly with the public?" interjected SEN
ator EIsberg
The existing corporations have got the situa-
ton so entirely in their grip that the city has
not got chance TO peep" declared Senator
| White The Rapid Transit Commission nov,
| either has not the power nor inclination to nro
! vide anything like competition IN new subv,a,,
| routes. What the people want is to get a bidder
! other than the merger for new subway ro1,tes"