New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-26
Mr.. COCKRAN-HE DID TT
He Cannot Tell Lie-HSs Father
of the Utilities Bill.

W. Bourke Cochran who had been in Europe
since last fall, at the hearing before Mayor McCle-
Ian yesterday asserted parentage of the public
utilities bill. At Albany the impression prevails
that Governor Hughes the late Dean Huffcut, Mr..
Sanford. the Governors legal adviser, and one or
two others framed the measure. Mr.. Cochran s
buoyancy Of spirit yesterday matched the radiance
Of the sunshine. He referred TO by one of the
auditors who never before heard him a probable
rising young baTrister."
Mr.. Cochran said he appeared to ask the Mayor
TO sign the bill, with recommendations. Il feel q
certain amount Of interest in this measure" he
continued las was its parent but scarcely
recognize It now. This bill is claimed by Governor
Hughes and don't object. but It was measure
embodied in the Democratic platform. Governor
Hughes presented the Democratic principle dressed
UP IN way think objectionable. This bill
20 recognize the interests affected IN this locality
should be administered by Inhabitants here, and
that is In the direction OF home rule. I believe It
Will facilitate a demand for complete home rule
lie continued;
sor for this measure. 1t would constitute scandal
for some OF its omissions, Why were telephone
f aaen vGh VIII bo ~SSH
he takes action for his CHARACTER forbids the slg
should be placed under the operation OF this bin or
else the people ought TO be told why l have no
ton l have heard 1t whispered that these tele-
@ wen a IS rs e B ef 10
that be true. ali the more reason for including
them.
II this bill should, fail we would have the whole
question prcciptRted again into politics. We would
give up the enormous advantage Of this law IL TINS
law docs not into effect, and the telephone com
panies not included, there will be scarcely q
dissenting vote Mt the next election and bill Will
be passed including the telephone companies.
There nre two great interests here. the com
q reasona Bile return on the actual capital not the
capitalization. This is the first step. for II recog
niges the right Of the state TO regulate these cor
porations Tho community must be placed in In
formation to the operation OF these corporations
Publicity should be furnished and assured so that
the President shall sit on boards Of directors IN
matters, the Governor in the state and the Mayor
in the city. We have right to know the operation
Of these matters
When ex-ConEressman Bassett 10 favor the
bill the Mayor said: Mr. Representative I wish
you would connne your remarks to the question
OF home rule. FOR free to confess that II 1t is
violation Of home rule the bill is fatally defective
from my point OF view,
Mr.. Bassett said; THE bill may be violation OF
home rule In measure. but the bill aims TO re-
leve transit facilities II is not question OF home
rule present, but is Albany rule plus poor rail
road facilities IN the city"
J. A. Hodge said: Five Cinnamon should be ap-
pointed. IL they could do the work better than New
Workers. and they could do IT better than the pres
ent Rapid Transit Commissioners"
William NJ WINS said he did not regard the
measure as properly before the Mayor, as II was a
Bourke Cochran called on the Mayor after the
hearing. The meeting was apparently very cordial
There was considerable speculation about City Hail
as to whether Mr.. Cochran appeared in the in
terests Of the Tammany organization;
The Mayor viii return the bill to Albany on Mon
day, 1t is understood he will veto It.