New-York tribune., 1906-01-04

Public Utilities Commission BiU to
Hid Municipal Osoa,ershap.
r1v telegraph to The Tribune. ]

TBy Telegraph TO Ibe 1Elpuhe'i
ALBANY Jan 3-At the request of Tammany
Hall Senator Thomas F. Grady introduced to-
day a bill providing for public utilities COM
mission for New-York City. The commission.
he saws. would be step toward municipal own
ership for New-York City He was not enthusi-
astic over the measure. which. he announced
was introduced to fulfil election promises He
would not support this bill in preference TO any
similar measures from other sources. or object 10
any amendments alteration OF 1t, ne declared
The bill is sweeping in its provisions. and 1t
is predicted here that it will arouse the antae-
onisrn of the civic organizations OF Newly ork-
Under the powers conferred on the commission.
franchises about whose legality there was any
question might be revised, it was said ana mucn
value could be created out of comparatively
valueless material
Senator Grady's measure amends the charter
provision in regard to the Mayors power. by
authorizing him TO appoint commissioners or
control The commissioners shall receive ST.
500 year may hold other public office ana
shall be a civil engineer, person familiar with
the practical operation of surface, elevated or
subway railways in New-York City; wage
Garner in some mechanical occupation; a lawyer
and business man. each Of whom must nave
had ten years experience in his line
The measure says it is the purpose Of the en-
actment TO create a. power which Shau:
First-Cornpel the running or operation OF cars or
trains upon all street. elevated ana SUBWAY ran. u
ways and of boats at all ferries Withln tne cry m
such numbers and with such frequency as may pe
necessary for public accommodation or conyeMence.
with due regard to the public health ana saIety,
and Electricity relative to the supply OF gas and
electricity for public in the city require anu
co1npel an efficient telephone service al Teasohape
rate; compel or operation OF electricA a Suo
ways fair and just to all, and an honest efhcient
and adequate service of such. ana OF all oter pun
lie utilities. for public and oeneht =.
Second-Devise. lay out and with the ePproVsai o.
the Board of Estimate and Apporttonnent contracC
FOR and supervise the construction OF such new
public utilities as NAV be determined by the ooaru
to be for the interests of the city.
for and with the approval of the Board Of Elsti-
mate and Apportionment acquire for the city ny
purchase or Condemnation such then existing public
utilities as may be determined by such poaIos 10
Fourth-When requested, hereinafter provided.
to act as arbitrators of any dispute or dlsagfeS-
ment between the owners or operators or any puo-
lie utility and their employees
The board under the provisions Of the bill.
shall have power to make Investigations or TO
hold hearings on the complaints OF citizens,
having full power TO subpoena witnesses and
examine records It may enforce its DEGREES,
charging a. fine of $1,000 a day for the period
during which its recommendations are not
obeyed.
The most significant clause In the bill. It is
power to adopt existing new routes for sub
WAYS or elevated roads. which routes by virtue
of notices served on the Rapid Transit Commis-
sion are then pre-empted. The power of the
Rapid Transit Commission to grant such routes
TO anybody then ceases