New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-28
AGAINST AMENDMENT
HINT OF CASSIDY COMMIT
TEES VIEWS.
Said To Be Opposed to mpting
from Debt Limit Income Pro-
ducing Bonds.
LRy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Telegraph
Albany, Jan 27-While official action has
been taken yet, it seems practically certain from
expressions of personal views on the part OF
members that the Cassidy committee, now in
vestgating the finances Of New York City Will
report against the repassage of the constitu-
tonal amendment exempting from the debt limit
of the city income producing bonds issued FOR
transit, water supply and dock purposes. IhaI
became apparent to-day when a resolution IN
troduced by Assemblyman Merritt was passed
| in the Assembly, extending to March the ex-
istence of that committee. Mr. Merritt also has
introduced a bill giving the committee $4,000
more for expenses.
The constitutional amendment which the COM
mittee apparently intends to advise against
without substituting anything in it's place, was
drawn last year after many serious confer
ences the part of civic organizations desirous
of the quick building of new subways, repre-
senatives of the Public Service Commission for
the 1st District and Controller Metz. Some OF
the meetings held, a matter OF fact, IN
Mr. Metz's own office. If passed by this Legis-
lature it could be submitted to the people at the
coming election. and if adopted would go into
effect in less than year-far the speedlest plan
for rendering available money for subway build
ing of all which have been discussed up 70 date
date
against this amendment that Assemblyman
Warren / Lee, of Brooklyn, who introduced it
last year has about decided not TO handle it
this year. He is secretary of the Cassidy COM
mittee He wrote to-day letter to j O. Ham
mitt, legislative agent of the Citizens Union.
which is deeply interested in the passage of the
constitutional amendment, setting forth his rea-
sons for that decision. Virtually he says that
he knows more about the proposition now than
he did last year, and to handle this legislation
when the committee OF which he is a member
seems to be against it. and may even report
officially against it, would place him in an
anomalous position
This change of front on the question of the
amendment striking on Mr. Lees part seems TO
those here who are interested in obtaining bet
ter transit facilities for New York City even
more striking the part of Controller Metz
and others who last year stood for the amend
ment Mr. Metz in a great deal of testimony
before the Cassidy committee has advised
strongly against the constitutional amendment
this year as have many others who took part
in last years conferences Indeed reports have
been ahoat for considerable time that the trac-
ton interests have gone out Of their way TO
muddle the committee and confuse the situa-
ton In THIS connection has been noted the
fact that ex.Assenl5 81 yrnfn- Bedall whose legis-
lative career was speckled with railroad legts-
lation which caused walls OF protest to arise
from New York City. is counsel to the COM
mfttee and that Professor Charles A Collin. for
merlv Of counsel to the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Ccmpany is his associate. Such reports and all
deductions from the presence Of Messrs- Bedell
and Collin are denied or challenged by members
of the committee.
II do not think il is correct or proper 70 credit
the stories that the traction interests have tried
to befog the committees work to influence its
report in any way" said Assemblyman Lee to-
dav. a great deal of testimony has been given
against the wisdom Of passing the amendment
this wear Controller Metz, Edgar J. Levey. Mr.
WINS and others all advised against it. don t
believe the traction interests caused the change
in their minds on this subject. and feel very
confident that no such influence. indirectly or
directly has been working on the committee
Several members of the committee doubt the
wisdom of this amendment. know Assembly
man Bennett is strongly against it. cannot
sav what the committee will report, but ABOUT
decided not 10 handle the amendment this year.
because If the committee reported against it, 1
should he in the position of having to bring in
minority report or else be open to the charge OF
handling legislation when il is lukewarm
II is believed that if the committee for any
reason does not report against the constitutional
amendment Assemblyman Bennett and possibly
some other members will submit minority re-
port.
New York legislators and men interested In
the requirements of the new subway are crlti-
csfng Controller Metz severely for his course IN
turning against the amendment petore the Las
sidv committee, when last year ne was ooohlihs
- 60 strongly. one man tonight declared it
was Of piece with his course in blocking the
Fourth avenue subway and holding up transit
OF