The evening world., 1906-01-26
HERRICK ASSAILS
TRACTION COMBINE
Ex-Judge Tells Board Of Esti-
mate It's Trying to Squelch
Bronx Competition.
FIGHT OVER FRANCHISE.
Gottshall Charges that Attempt
Was Made to Sell Out Port
chester Road.

For over four hours to-day the forces
Of the Ryan Belmont syndicate and
Representatives from the Bronx bnttled
before the Board of Estimate and
Appordonment in the Council Chamber
of the iCty Hall. 1t was over the ap-
plication OF the Port Chester Railroad
Company for a franchise TO run a
chain of trolleys all over Bronx Bor-
ough. Many of the various boards of
Improvements and residents along the
proposed route favor the road and have
passed resolutions to that effect.
The scheme Is opposed by the New
York. Wsstohe,zter and Boston Com
pany, which has already has a fran
ch!se and has startelI work. Allega-
tions were made that the latter COM
pany is really in control OF the Ryan
Belmont syndicate, which wants to
smut out the Port Chester read, SO as
70 Keep out competition.
Lawyer Graham. who represented the
Westchester Company, opened the on
position on the ground that having a
charter 1t would not be fair to allow
another rold to parallel it's tracks. He
spoke Of the money his company had
already expended. He added that the
Port Chester Company was not uctinR
in good faith-that its only purpose was
to secure the franchise and then force
the Westchester Company to buy them
out The other arguments were OF a
similar nature.
Bought Gold Brick, He Says.
Ex,Judge d. Cady Herrlck opened up
on the Ryan Belmont syndicate, which
he said had just bought a gold brick.
Inc fact was tlat an attempt had ap-
parently been made TO BUY out the
'Portehester road, but 1t could not be
This one concern" he said. "hps
lJw every road in the city ana all lines
coming into II as well as in Brook
lyh with one eNccpIOl-the Port
chester road. This IS the only. road
whtoh can come into competition with.
II, and SO they want to squelCa it,
1t Is the only competing line in The
Bronx Against t,is IRE pOworful COM
binat.uns. Further. it Is tine only one
that can bid against the syHdlcafe for
any subways that may He built IN the
future. The men who ars behind the
PoFtchester Toad .insve ali the money
backing necessary and they cannot be
Taea he called attentian 20 clause
in The Westchester Ccmpdny's charter
tnat the city reserved th2 right TO
& ant other franchises u other compa-
mes.
NJ" said Judge He-rick you refuse
us this franchise, the city will be at the
complete mercy OF this gigantic syndi-
cate"
GottshaII Very Bitter.
William C. Gottshall made short
but bitter speech He said it was time,
as stated in the newspapers. that he
mas Interested with Messrs Moore.
Gates and others In a deal by which
the New York De-1NDment Company
would open up the bronx.
But since then" he said, they have
playe1 u dirty trick on me-a mean
one. They tried to sell me out urd
even as late as Saturday they thought |
rSey had Sod out, but they only give
the syndicate a gold brick. have
here a ulpy of 4 contract ana It
shows that every sNlre OF stock in |
the PortchesteF road r. in the name |
and possession of Mr. HGde, of Chas. |
d. BariHS & Co., who sits beside me" |
The mltter went over until March .. |