New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-07
WINS RAPS MERGER.
Supporters and Opponents of Els
berg Bill Argue on Sub1cays.
tBy Telegraph 70 The Tribuns. ]


Albany. Feb. civilian NJ. WINS. ar hear
ing on the Elsberg Rapid Transit bill before a
joint committee Of the Senate and Assembly this
afternoon led strong attack on mergers and
argued for the municipal ownership and oper-
alton OF subways. All who spoke IN favor Of,
the bill denounced the Belnont-Ryan fractions
merger which they declared. would practi-i
cally take what it chose from the city in future
subway transactions
Mr.. WINS proposed amendment TO the Els
berg bill which would prevent the merging OF
any company in contract with the city for thes
operation OF subways with any other company.
or the holding OF stock of such company by any
other. This. he explained. would prevent stock
tobbfng by which the city. TO buy operating
privileges. would have 70 pay for three or four
infusions of water. the capitalization and re-
capitalization of merged companies
The hearing brought out representatives OF all
the organizations OF New-York City which have
favored the bill in former years Ex-senator
John Ford said that he would offer an
amendment to this bill calling for the separa-
ton of the contracts for construction and opera
ton OF future subways-
F. W. Hinrichs spoke of the opposition which
New-Yorkers were manifesting toward the
merger and the conditions surrounding 1t.
When this bill up in former years" he
said "the opposition declared that its passage
would be the first step toward municipal owner
ship I said then thai its defeat would be the
first step in that direction. and think that
prophesy has been borne out by recent events
1 think it's a proper thing to say. that IL this
bill is defeated this year we all know who the
next Governor Of the State OF New-York will be.
There is no need to mention names-his name is
every tongue"
TRACTION INTERESTS OPPOSED.
In opposition TO the bill there were representa-
tives Of the Interborough and the Metropolitan.
and William Barclay Parsons. who is now re-
tained by the Interborough. but appeared. he
said in his character of ex-chief engineer OF
the subway. \. B. Boardman. counsel 10 the
Rapid Transit Commission. declared that now
he was almost prepared TO accept the principles
OF the bill although with notifications. He ar
gued as did the lawyers for the traction COM
panies that if the Elsberg bill were passed. cap
ital would be wary in bidding for separate con-
tracts, and the city presumably would have 20
build its own subways. and might not get good
bids even for the more profitable task Of operat-
ing them.
The room in which the Senate COMMITTEES on
Cities and the Assembly Committee on Rail-
roads held the hearing was crowded Theirs
were present besides the speakers many dele
gates from municipal organizations. while labor
unions and the Municipal Ownership people
were represented There were delegates from
the Central Federated Union. the Peoples Insti-
tute John De Witt Warner. of the Reform Club:
Robert Hunter. for the Settlement Workers: the
Rev. Dr. John P. Peters and James F. Lehmaier,
for the Transit Reform Copmittee OF One Hun
dred: Alfred J. Boulton. Register Of Kings Coun-
"; Frank 5. Gardner, secretary OF the Board OF
Trade and Transportation. and many others
The Interborough Rapid Transit Company
and those interested in it, said George w.
Wickersham. representing the Interborough.
appear not SO much 10 oppose the EIsberg bill
as TO point out that the effect OF the passage
of that bill of any bill which contains similar
provisions would be to retard and delay the cOn-
struction OF subways in the city OF New-York.
The bill introduces radical legal changes in the
whole scheme of development of municipal rapid
transit
WOULD TIE UP SUBWAY CONSTRUCTION.
1T proceeds curiousy enough. not to acceds
TO the public demand 10 furnish legislative re-
lief for a condition which has been found 10 be
ineffective OF unsatisfactory. but it proposes to
repeal a scheme Of the law which has worked
successfully: which is the only plan for the con-
structtOn and management OF rapid interurban
passenger railways which ever has worked sue
cessflIly II Is manifest that II this bill is
passed and power is placed In the hands OF a
Rapid Transit Commission TO commit the city
of New-York to itself operate underground
street passenger railways. those who framed
this bill will use II 10 obstruct any construction
except by the city. and any operation except by
IT, and thus TO prevent any Improvement IN
transit facilities which can be made at the
present time
Mr. Belmont has recently in official letter
informed the president OF the Board of Rapid
Transit Commissioners that the so-called Tuer-
ger OF the traction interests in Manhattan and
The Bronx was not designed to retaTd. but ma
terially 70 aid development OF the plans OF that
board for rapid transit in New-York and that
he and his associates recognized that the inter-
ests of the people OF New-York demand that i'm
portant extensions OF the rapid transit lines os