New-York tribune., 1908-02-19
DEBATE ON OWENS BILL.
Proposition to GiUe Central Per-
petuaL Rights OppOsed.
[By Telegraph Do The Tribune.

Albany, Feb. 1S-Judging from the stir which
was created to-day, the Legislature viii not pass
willingly as it did last year the owens meas
proposing 10 give the New York Central
Railroad perpetual rights on or under certain
streets in The Bronx. Although the introducer
said that it met the approval of most Of the
officials of New York City, it apparently does
please the entire Senate, for furious
sault was made on it to-day. 1t resulted In
the advancement OF the measure. with the ind
cation that 1t viii be treated to broadside at
tack when it comes up for final passage to-mor-
Thursday.
Senator Owens stated that the bill was similar
10 that passed last year. except that it had
been amended in several particulars. 1.-The bill
is now satisfactory" he said ito the Board of
Aldermen, the President of the Borough of The
Bronx, the chief engineer of the Board Of Esti-
mate and the Corporation Counsel"
at doesn't make any difference whether 1t
suits the officials of New York" said Senator
Fuller. 1.-THE question is whether it suits us"
"Who is us2' asked the introducer. "All this
bill does is to abolish a grade crossing at 10th
street and"-
'grhere has not been grade crossing at 10th
street in ten years." shouted Senator Cohalan,
jumping to his feet and interrupting the intro
ducer
Then followed a colloquy of the There is
Finally Senator Cohalan ended it by saying:
"I am very sorry that. having lived III the i'm
mediate locality for twenty years and passed
over this bridge at least five hundred times,
don't know whether 1 ever went over IT or not"
Having been assured that the city officials
were in favor of the bill, Senator Cassidy in
auired what other interests might be satisfied
by asking do you know whether the railroads
favor this bill?"
why, they sent it to me- the way the
introducer pleaded guilty.
Does the Public Service Commission favor
it?' continued Senator Cassidy.
IT don't know, but the property owners of
spuyten Divil are in favor of it," replied SEN
ator Owens.
Doesn't the Senator know asked Senator
Fuller that this bill gives the New York Gem
traI a perpetual sub-surface right to certain
streets in The Bronx"
II know it gives a perpetual right, and I sup
pose that it is all right" replied Mr.. Owens.
Senator Horace White, of Syracuse, thought it
incumbent him to explain how such bill
escaped from his Cities Committee. He said
that he favored the bill and was not afraid OF
giving perpetual rights TO railroads.
''The New York Central could go to the Board
of Estimate" said Senator Fuller. land get a
limited franchise, but it comes here for per-
petual right
Once again Senator Cohalan made a drive at
the bill by declaring: "The improvements
sought to be made by this bill all located in
the Borough Of The Bronx. and l am the only
representative of The Bronx in this Senate. All
the streets named in this bill are i'll my district
and so far as L know the people in my district
are not in favor of this bill. L move to strike
out the enacting clause"
Senator SAKE revived his long standing Elev
enth avenue proposition by declaring. II not
in favor Of giving the New York Central any
thing until the Eleventh avenue matter is set
tied"
At the request of Senator Grady the motion TO
strike out the enacting clause was withdrawn by
Senator Cohalan. who said that he would just
soon beat the bill on the order of final passage
as at the present time. The motion to advance
the bill was not seriously opposed. the vote
being 21 to g. with all the upstate Republicans
who voted at all in favor Of il.