New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-28

March g. 1907.
! Committee
Hon. Edwin A. Merritt jr., Chairman Assembly
! Committee Railroads, Albany. ~. Y.
page S Commonly glsS known as the Public Utilities Bill
Will am informed come up for pupils hesTng
deeply regret that it win be impossible for me.
as Mayor the city of New York. to appear before
YOU personally at that time TO urge the vital nece
ments to the proposed act. therefore deem it my
Of my views concerning the questions involved,
do not propose TO discuss the intrinsic merits or
| this time on my part would be presumptuous, for
questions properly rests with the Legislature and
the Goyern9f but graa nun t9at the Dasic fea9
icable, nevertheless in its present form cOnst-
u$isTy destructive Of the principle of home rule
While il is true that this bin is general in FORM
and most important feature is its treatment Of
millions Of Inhabitants, comprising about one-haf
Of the whole population iiii OF IT, the state ,,.,,
service districts the first to consist of the city OF
state 4 public service commission is to be created
for each district consisting Of five members who
the advice and consent of the Senate These COM
who, in case Of removal is required to file with
the Secretary OF State statement OF his reasons
and to make like report to the Legislature at its
II is clear that the Legislature would have no
authority over such removal so that the abso
! lutte power in this respect would rest with the
As a result Of this provision, these commissioners
Wotia become tne urTCe H. I dH an rs
be vested in them would, in reality. be vested in
The SALARY, Of each Of the commissioners and Of
70 2ensye 90 o pc ana an the eaE e ceT
| spectors, experts and employees and all persons
pebsation fixed by the commission. together with
their expenses and the expenses Of their employees
to which It may be subjected !; ar6 by the
in Section IA of the act, in substance. that the
| Board of Estimate and Apportionment must from
| time TO time, on requlsition made by the commits
sion. appropriate such sums of money as may be
work to provide for the salaries ana EXPENSES and
such appropriation shall be made forthwith upon
sion" That is TO say the Board OF f:sti-
for paying whatever this commission may At TO
expend The act further provides that 10 :, case
appropriate the money. the commission may apply
the First Department to determine the amount that
shall be appropriated and the decision of that rib-
unal shall be hnal and conclusive.
The city is thus taxed whatever amount these
court may see it to impose thereby Violating the
Fundamental principle that taxation should be ds
by the people themselves through their representa-
mate and AppOrtionnent itself is comprised Of
elective oicers It Is t9at board when mas or te
yet il is proposed 10 take that control from such
nba ~ the 81 and Pon o 5ee
trolling The financial policy OF the city -. g.,
l
miss Io'f f ~ ps t nj s o NJ o, own ye funds
# is also compelled to contribute heavily toward
the expenses Of the commission for the Cd District
more vicious example Of double taxation can hard
AS l have already stated. I do not propose TO
enter into a general discussion Of this act Ny
the biI IN Us present form threatens complete
reversal Of ne principle Of home rule principle
has been rightfuliy according its recognition YEAR
increasing
the Esberg Rapid Transit act by the last Legs
part Of the state that the city OF New York should
oe allowed to manage its own affairs for besides
authorities it gave TO the Mayor o. the city the /
ring on the civ government sbsoute Bower over
the eventual Composition Of that body
therefore protest against any proposition 20
take away from the inhabitants q the city Of New
4ork all control over large portion Of its Internal
anairs The persons on whom y is proposed 10 de-
ment are Ave commissioners who TO be APP
n Po ana ops w Tb 9sGSg ns own avn
placed beyond the control OF the Board OF Estimate
whatever money they, may can for. The expert.
whom successful system Of rapid tFans! has been
they are 10 be suppianted by oficiais over whom
Who s have S e &peare and hfTs ys
Of the tens Of millions Of dollars that are 10 be e1
-. Il Is no answer TO these objections TO urge that
parison OF personalities OF the executives OF tho
state and of the city. We may have in the future
have incompetent Governors and able Mayors. But
personalities cannot long survive Principles alone
endure and by your action in this matter you will
| assume the responsibility OF deciding how far self
government for this city shall be allowed exist.
the local authorities have forfeited their right of
evils aimed al. II they have failed in certain
ure is directly chargeabe 10 the refusal Of the
Legislature 10 give them the necessary powers
As matter Of law the state Railroad Commits
sion IS the only body which has the right at pres
ent supervise the management OF railroads
within the city Greater power in this respect has
In this connection desire 10 quote from an open
OF the Senate Cities Committee I'm regard ~ certain
features OF tho Esberg Rapid Transit bill and
which seem to mo to bear directly upon this Ques-
Il believe that the Legislature should confer
upon the city government enlargeI powers OF deal
ing WITH and regulating tho corporations operating
elevated surface and underground lines within its
tons vested in the public authorities entirely
Inadequate. but tLS present division OF power be-
tween the local authofltles and the State Railroad
Commission is each year becoming more unsatis-
regulation and control in respect of these az
tioEs which the Legislature is willing to confer
either in the Rapid Transit Commission ana the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment or in a
stituted for the purpose.
IF tho legislature will thus strengthen the hand
OF the city, / believe that many of the present
difficulties in dealing with these corporations and
ton of the control OF the transit facilities of the
city will disappear"
Had this request OF the city been given greater |
weight by the Legislature, there would have been
far less need at present for the passage OF such
/ rest upon these objections They merely strike
at the form of the bill and at it's foundations
rae of this city faed uS BRING sS t Seief atass
therefore ask that before you take final action
IN regard 10 TINS Dill you will consider the demands
ments will confer upon It's Immediate representa-
ives me IgIt 70 appoint the members OF this