New-York tribune., 1908-02-19
RECONNIT WAGNER BILL,
1t 47caits Investigation By Public
Seruice Commission.
rRy Telegraph to The Tribune-I


Albany Feb. 1S-By a vote OF 81 to 61 prac-
ticay party vote, the Wagner Coney Island
5-cent fare bill was recommitted to the Assem-
bly, Committee Railroads to-day. pending an
investigation Of the general situation by ths
Public Service Commission for the 1st District
Denunciations Of the Public Service Commission
and charges that the majority playing poll
tics with the bill poured forth in great
volume by the Democrats.
Just at the end OF the two hour debate, after
AssembIynan Wagner had seen his measure re-
committed he asked that a vote be taken to
instruct tie Railroads Committee to give a
hearing on the bill next week Wednesday. 8Ir.
Merritt. the majority leader, declared such a
proceeding was unheard Of Mr. Wainwright.
chairman of the Railroads Committee, said that
the bill would receive just treatment, and It's
introducer every possible courtesy, without such
instructions by the House.
When the measure came up special order
in second reading Mr.. Merritt moved that &c
be recommitted. Mr.. Wagner sprang to the de-
fence of his measure at once. After explaining
its purpose, he said that the railroads and the
Public Service Commission were agreed that
the commission had power to regulate the fare
question. Yet the Court OF Appeals had held
| that the Brooklyn Rapid Transit was justified
In charging a 1O-cent fare because section
Of it's system was operating under franchise
granted to a steam railroad.
THE Public Service Commission surely has
not power TO change the wording Of laws on the
statute books" said he THAT is what must be
done before the 1O-cent fare be abolished.
OF course we Democrats know that Presden-
tial election is at hand We appreciate the fact
that YOU Republicans feel you must handle the
situation gently, lest you ALLEVIATE the railroad
interests. for you may need their services The
only purpose OF this motion to recommir the bill
IS to kill tt
AssenbIynen oliver and Cuvillier spoke for
the bill. though their arguments were sadly cut
I'D by side jabs at each other. Once Mr.. Oliver =
feelings so overcame him that he yelled 20 the
ubiquitous CUviIlier:
"Oh go give yourself up; there's policeman
downstairs
Assemblyman Schulz OF The Bronx. devoted
himself to denunciation Of the Republicans for
making the Merritt motion to recomnit the bib
a party affair
Assemblyman West wanted some facts 20 JUS
tify Mr.. Wagners demand for the passage OF ths
bill. It's introducer said that I'D to FIVE years
ago the railroad charged only five cents and
paid dividends. while the Brooklyn Rapid Tran
sit Company was confessing 20 profits OF Sloto- =
coo AssembIyman Bennett took him to task
on that proposition. declaring that the Brooklyn
Rand Transit Company 10 his knowledge never
had paid dividend. and he remembered when
it was earning on the money invested only and
9 per cent. Messrs- Francis and Robinson, %
New York demanded 4 proper and judicial il
yestfgatfon OF the situation before such drasri5
legislation was enacted. Assemblyman Ham1
said he would introduce at the meeting Of thu
Railroads Committee a resolution calling on the
Public Service Commission 10 investigate tie
Coney Island case at once and report II lE
found il hadn't jurisdiction there would be tina
to pass the Wagner bill then Mr. Merritt closed
the debate with a strong defence and CON-
| rnendation of the work of the Public SeTvtca
| Commission.