New-York tribune., 1908-02-07
VAIN WRIGHT DISSENTS
Presents Minority Report for Wag-
ner Gomez Island Bill.
lBy Telegraph to Ths Tribune-I

Albany Feb s-In accordance with action taheT
in an executive session last night seven nieihO.
of the Assembly Railroads Committee to-day re
ported to the Assembly the Wagner bill, estanhsn,
ing a scent rate of fare between Manhattan aiio
Conev Island The chairman of the committee, j.
Mayhem Wainwright, dissented from the action oi
his associates ard found consolation IN presenting
a minority report.
This was the first time in two years that COM
mttee unanimously overrode the wishes or its chaIr
man Further Than this, it is unusual for a legis-
lative body to go out OF its way 10 race an ISSUE
and to disregard chance to slip out tnroush
loophoe. One opinion here is that tne committee
desires to put this question up to the Governor
Aside from this the action of the committee is
looked upon as a clear Indication that the Legls-
lature purposes settle the Coney Island dispute
without further ado.
Two wears ago a similar instance occurred in the
same committee, far as ignoring the chairman
is concerned At that time Senator s. Perez Hooker
was the chairman. snd he opposed a bill relating
to the Rhinebeck G. Rhineclif Railroad The COM
mttee unanimously reported the bill over his oD-
lection, but the circumstances were not so spec
tacular in this case
In making the report Chairman Wainwright sub
mitted the following minority report:
The undersigned begs leave submit the fol-
lowing minority report Assembly bill 80. intro
duced by MIR; Wagner, reported fayoraply oy me me
majority of the Committee Railroads: This bill
is intended TO provide for a scent 1are 14r ora q
continuous ride upon the surface railroads IroiIl on
sny part Of the city Of New YORK 70 Coey rog m
those leading to that place.
Recognizing the principle that no IeSlSlatlon al
fecting fixing rates of fare for public service
corporations without more careful and thoroush
consideration of the elements of the cost OF trans
portation and of its effect upon those concerned
than the standing committees of the Legislature :
able give such matters, the Legislature, at
session, conferred upon the Public Service
Commission, which it established, the power 10 nx
st Hef 1eer abq b aSG Of s Gaure r to Such
sions for the purpose Of hearing and report BY
Section 49 of the public service law. the Puptc 2c 9
full power by order to effect the OBJECT sought py
Mr. Wagner's bill.
The policy of the Legislature in making the Pub
lie Service Commissions law that changes Of
of should be fixed by order OF the com
mission. with its fuller opportunities for securing
information and dealing justly rather than Dy act
of the Legislature
To assume to egisIate on the subject in question
dent, which, if followed. will necessitate assuming
jurisdiction in similar cases and upon large MINI
Der of bills equally in the power of the Public Ser
vice Commission, which are now pendlns IN the
Legislature. No better example could be orrered
of the hastily considered legislation which the con-
ferrng of power mentioned upon the compiisslon
was sought to avoid than the action upon this bill
After afternoons hearing upon subject WIDE
ly affecting many interests. the majority OF the
committee, with practically no deliberat1on, voted
to report this bill
The undersigned declines to lend himself to such
hasty and i'll considered action upon so important
In vetoing the 2-cent fare bill during the last
session, the present executive presented in the
Judgment of the undersigned unanSwerable argu-
ment which applies with equal force to the measure
In question.
should act in within the power of the
Public Service Commission. It is true that there
is an earnest demand in public sentiment in favor
equally true that such q reduction, If reasonable.
and would be effected by the order of the
ted J. MAYHEM WAINWRIGHT.
Chairman Committee on Railroads