New-York tribune., 1908-01-15
HAMILTON ALUMNI DINE.
Ne1C York association Discusses
Traction and College Courses.

The New York Association Of the Hamilton Col
lege Alumni 'vhooped it up" at its fortieth
nus1 dinner and reunion at the Hotel Astor last
night. Edward Murray Bassett of the class Of '8s.
member Of the Public Service Commission, who
spoke on Control Of Public Service Corporations
in the Interests of the People told of some of
the problems with which the commission must
grappe, expressed strong views il favor Of state
control OF public franchises, and said that the
commissioners working together for the ac-
conlplishnent of common good.
MI Bassett said that while he must confess that
after SIX months of "hammering and vicissitudes,
ne-fection in transit affairs was as far of ii
was before, he reminded his fellow alumni that
it has taken the Public Service Commission that
time TO get fair start
The Rev Anthony H. Evans SO, president of the
association, was the toastmaster, and he derided
those who spoke against the necessity of including
Latin and Greek in the college curriculum he al1o
told Of advantages TO students in attending me
smaller institutions of learning rather than the
great universities. The latter, said Dr. Evans, Gre
ate factions and classes. while the smaller insa-
tutions promote the great cause of democracy
The association greeted the Rev NJ. W. Stryker'
10 president of Hamilton College, with long
cheer Dr. Stryker spoke earnestly Of the policy
and ideals of the college over which he presloes
and said that Its clean clear position has stood
and will stand. other colleges notwithstanding.
Some persons he said, might want TO change fahl-
ilton College into conservatory OF music an ensl-
neering school q technica! school Dr. etryker,
commenting on the desire OF President Eliot OF
Harvard for the curtailment OF the college course
said that DR.. Eliot had done more than any man
10 demoralze the theory Of the standard college
course as no boy Of sixteen or seventeen years
had knowledge enough to know what he wanted 10
study.
Mr. Bassett in his speech on the control OF the
public service corporations, said:
Sometimes men come representing town
Of perhaps 800 population, and with an assessed
land value of about $4,000 and demand as right
mot as = favor that give them q subway cost
ing bout g mile, the outer side OF their
town. When began on July l, last year, we
didn't have many friends; the municipality was
not very friendly nor was present administra-
tion and we had help nor money TO hire any
Then there are certain police duties devoving on
ms that have taken more than half time.
.---bere are two kinds of corporations, and the
sitv. But those which perform public duty need
another name. They have the power OF eminent
dornaIn. they the public streets and their fran
cbises increase in value with the growth Of the
CITY The Legislature Of the state Of New YORK
decided however that public franchises were not
free from legislative control"
nv Rassett said that the Legislature took
middle course between private control and NUM-
cipal ownership taking action against the conouc'
os n,,bIic corporations for dividends only
.aT,e success OF the commission. SAID the
sneaker 'fs still hedged about by many things yer
20 be discovered. The commission consists OF hVe
men who are neither great nor famous, but can
cav honest who work long hours Also they are
al n,,lling together and not at cross purposes
hasneak the interest and help OF all good citizens
other speakers the Rev. William ALVIN
r9artlett 81 and Reuben Leslie Maynard 81