New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-16
TO PROMOTE HOME RULE.
City Club against Hampelng of
Rapid Transit Commission.

Chase Mellen and Lawrence WELLER. the specia,
committee OF the City Club appointed by II TO look
after the citys interests in rapid transit particu-
larry in regard 10 opposing the Elsberg bill. now
before the Senate. took decisive action yesterday
to check the attempt OF William NJ WINS ex-Sena-
tor John Ford and others to tie up the Rapid
SIT Commission in the letting Of for the
nineteen new subways that have already been
planned.
The club, through its special committee has
asked the Cities Committee OF the Senate 10 give
another hearing Tuesday the Elsberg bill. II
the arguments advanced by the City Club at that
hearing prevail the committee will smother the
Elsberg bill. and report instead the City Clubs
Rapid Transit bill, which drafted by ex-Cor-
poration Counsel George L. Rives and Frederic
w Hinrichs.
Speaking the subject yesterday Mr. WELLER
at the City Club. said the club believes that the
Rapid Transit Commission should be permitted 10
let contracts for construction equipment and opera
ton. either separately or jointly. in such way
will develop rapid transit facilities quickest and
will furnish the best terms for the city.
The memorandum submitted by the club yester-
day the Senate Cities Committee includes the
following:
We 6eeye it unjust ST. TO say that the Rapid Tran
portonment win not prove responsive to public
opinion in the formulation OF contracts in the fu-
powers be widened. so that in case no satisfactory
bid for construction and operation shall be re-
form of contract which the public interests re
ported in this attitude and that the legislature
should not dictate 10 il what II shall shall not
do but shall give il the fullest measure of author
ity subject the approval in whatever Il does OF
the highest local responsible and elected board.
measure Of home rule that the situation permits
In another paragraph it raps the supporters of
the EIsberg bill in this fashion:
II the purpose Of Messrs. WINS and Ford and
those who share their views Is 10 abolish the
Rapid Transit Commission and provided for munic-
should openly declare their purpose fairness not
only to the Rapid Transit Board hut TO the people
of the city as we'll. II this is their purpose
why ask the Legislature to further interfere with
Board which, however appointed originally, is In
fact. local board?
w. NJ Wins gave another statement Of his
position In the controversy between the advocates
and opponents of the Elsberg BILL yesterday
saws the EIsberg bill raises directly" the "ques-
lion of more. better and cheaper rapid transit for
the whole of ater New-York. Every effort
has been made obscure the situation and TO OBJ
scure the issue" ne said. but the Interurban-
Metropolitan company comes into the open
and declares that the companies It owns will build
contract for construction and operation and the ad
vocates of the merger declare that unless the
Rapid Transit Board has the power make such
a contract there can be no subways whatever"
Mr.. WINS goes say that If il will the city
its subways without the aid of the trust.
1T And numberless contractors. and by max
ing direct contracts for sectional work save
profits. such as the 100000 Mr. Mcdonald made
by sub-lsasng.