New-York tribune., 1909-03-08

service legislation giving over the telephone and
telegraph companies to the commissions. This
measure last session aroused big fight before
finally it was smothered in the Assembly Com
mittee on Rules at the Speakers behest He
and members OF that committee took that action
because they believed the commissions had too
much other work then to be able properly TO
handle that additional labor The commissions
are perfectly willing to take up these labOrs
and the legislative leaders say the measure will
go through easily. No opposition from the COM
panies has appeared yet although last year they
did not view the prospect with pleasure
On the score of the other legislation, though
the prospect appears less certain Amendments
TO the rapid transit law. which is part OF the
general transportation law under the eonsoI-
dated statutes. designed to furnish more induce
ments to private capital 10 enter subway build
ing in New York City. always have furnished and
will again furnish much ground for controversy
Changing the Elsberg law for many winters was
the favorite diversion of New York civic organi-
cations and legislators, and they always had
mighty hard lob Of it There's no particular rea-
son why the task should be much easier this
time. and legislative leaders are not making any
prophecies about what Will be accomplished IN
that line Along with all this viii be taken the
Travis-Lee constitutional amendment exempting
from the New York City debt limit income
producing bonds issued for subways, docks or
water supply purposes. That viii be involved
in the charter discussion
THE NEW CHARTER
This brings to the front the bone of conten-
tion-tbe affairs of New York City and the
pected comprehensive attempt 10 put them on a
better footing And at this stage of the ses-
sion 1t is fairly safe TO say that there will be
great deal more serious effort to enact new
charter at this session than the Legislative lead
ers were willing TO believe Whether q charter
actually will be adopted is a proposition which
would require long look ahead 10 settle 4
short time ago Speaker Wadsworth Senator
Raines and the chairmen OF the Influential COM
mfttees figured that the session would be too
short to permit any charter legislation unless
the measure when presented proved TO be Of
character acceptable to everybody in sight 1t
looks now as If the session would be a good bit
longer than any legislator will relish-qui-e long
enough to allow considerable discussion In
considering this subject the political eXigencies
in New York City must not be lost sight Of
The impending municipal campaign VIII have
for its issue municipal finances. their waste the
rehabilitation OF the citys exchequer, with the
ever-present demand for big public improve
nents The trend of affairs, under the Mcclellan
regime has been OF such nature as 10 make
even Democratic politicians who VIII talk frank
" admit that the Republicans or anti-Tam-
r,anvites have a better chance Of winning the
election # they use moderate amount Of horse
sense than they have had in many a long day
Herbert Parsons TO whom all anti-Tammany-
ties must look for leadership and counsel IS
represented as being eager, even insistent, for
the adoption by this Legislature of a new char
ter Political advantages flowing from the
ability to point to a reform charter and pre-
sent candidates pledged to carry out the spirit
of that document in administering city aT1airs
are patent. Tammany realizes this quite as Wen
as Mr. Parsons. Senator Grady is said 70 have
told his friends that he expected to see new
charter adopted. quite contrary TO- the opinion
given by Senator McCarren TO Mayor Mcclellan
In the ordinary course OF events a Republican
majority in the Legislature would be willing to
help out the Republicans below The Bronx Z
they demand a new charter. and the belief IS
growing here that the Legislature viii remain
in session long enough to give adequate consid-
Grafton to the charter without making that the
sole reason for being in Albany.
The Legislature, with this material for seri-
Gus consideration before il, will settle down 20
real work this week The session has already
extended over what under ordinary cond1tiohs
would have been more than half its life. The
consolidated statutes have been passed ana SUM
fifteen hundred bills have been introduced-lH
great part a flood Of trivial or absolutely neg
ligibIe legislation, for much of which the New
York City delegation must be held responsio-e
A few hearings on serious bills are scheduled
this weell-the Senate Codes Committee. Tor n
stance will hear arguments on Wednesday on
the Davenport and Mead bills amending ths
labor law with reference 10 the payment OF
wages. The Senate Finance Committee has an
nounced hearing Tuesday on the GratIan
bill to establish a state labor colony for vagran'~
on Tuesday also the Assembly Cities Commune
will take up the Hoey bill desisned 70 force 's
New York Central tracks Off Eleventh avenue
New York City.