New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-30
TO SUPPORT GOVERNOR.
c. q. Resolutions Approve His Pub
lie Utilities Suggestions.
IBy Telegraph to rhe Tribune. ]

Albany, Jan. 29.-Attempts on the part Of
politicians traction interests to oppose or mu-
| tilate the public utilities bills embodying Gov
| ernor Hughes's suggestions by arraying civic
| organizations In New York City against certain
specific suggestions are not likely to succeed.
The Citizens Union sent to the Governor to-day
formal resolutions approving his suggestions;
! and the understanding among those conversant
with the feeling in other organizations is that
they concur heartily in the Governors ideas.
| There has been strong suspicion here that
when Senator Page and Assemblyman Merritt
presented their public utilities measures, oppO-
sition 10 them would take the form of support
OF some such measure that introduced last
night by Senator McCarren. replacing the Rapid
Transit Commissions jurisdiction in New York
City by similar powers given to the Board OF
Estimate. This support might be used as
| club to force compromises and notifications
while It might divide effectively the necessary
support of the public utilities bills by the united
organizations.
The resolutions conveyed to the Governor were
| adopted last night at a meeting of the city COM
mittee of the Citizens Union in New York City
They say:
During the twenty-eght days of his admins
tration Governor Hughes has opened a new
chapter in the history of state administration
Chosen for his office without pledges. he has
employed his independence with a notable
nuelity 10 MS campaign utteranCeS. Inc poll
cies advocated in his message TO the Legislature
are unmista kaby inspired by solicitude for the
welfare of the whole people.
II is surely time that the national parties
should cease TO divide upon lines that have no
political significance. Legislative measures to
improve the efficiency of the city police, 70 sim
plify the ballot and TO prevent child labor.
whether introduced by Republicans or Demo-
Gratis. should have the hearty support Of all
honest men Of either party.
The Citizens Union pledges the Governor CO.
operation in his efforts TO accomplish much
needed reform in these directions IL also be-
lieves the Governors proposition relative 10
rapid transit to be step forward in the EFFORT
10 solve that complex problem. and II Will sup
port measure embodying his expressed views
that subject.
Various New York organizations. such as the
Board OF Trade and Transportation, the Mer-
chants Association, the Transit Reform Com
mittee Of One Hundred and other associations
interested in lettering the transit conditions
there. have for years fought TO get enacted
into legislation some Of the features treated by
the Governor in his legislation. Notable among
them was the local railroad commission for New
York city The plea always has been made
that New York should have sufficient home rule
20 be permitted to handle its own transit prob
lens by its own commission.
According 10 those who keep in touch with
these organizations. the feeling in them now is
that the Governor. having experienced for years
the transit evils in New York city intends 10
improve them permanently. and 10 bring that
about will need strong support, actual and
moral I'm the attitude he has taken. These or
CARNATIONS realize that some opposition to the
Governors suggestion that the local commission
he a body appointed by the Governor might be
made on the ground that II would remove the
'.horne rule feature: but they feel that in get
ting behind the Governors ideas they will not
be surrendering the home ale principle, and
they will be helping along transit reform ma
terally. There seems little likelihood that any
local sentiment from New York City will OPP
pose that feature Of the Governors suggestions