New-York tribune., 1909-03-18
FOR DEBT AMENDMENT
JTS PASSAGE PROBABLE.
:Citv in State of Siege bg Corpora
tions. Says Tonlkins.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

A1bs-v March 17-Developrents a. the hearing
m the Travis-Isee constitutional amendment ex-
t.-,,tinE income producing subway and dock bonds
from the New York city debt limit and water sup
, bonds from the debt limit OF third class cities,
before the Judiciary Committee to-day. Indicated
that this measure is likely 20 have comparatively
smooth sailing on its second trip through the
LEGISLATURE Nobody appeared in opposition TO t.
an3 after strong demand for II had been eK-
pressed by representatives. n New York City ana
most of the third class cities in the state Senator
cobb interrupted proceedings 70 declare his oehef
that every member Of the committee favored H.
The fact that 4 provision affecting many Up
state cities ia invoked Will give the measure great
strength With the Legislature. in view o. their
united demand for its passage, which no demand
however unanimous. from New York City slone
would have. Moreover. New York City's situation
as il was placed before the committee by Chair
man Wilcox OF the Public Service Commission tor
the ist District and Calvin TomkiBs, chairman OF
the CITY Transit Conference. wss shown to be one
involving the city alone but the entire stats.
by reason OF the probability % loss Of business.
taxable property and citizens 10 New Jersey *
adequate transit facilities were delayed much
longer.
Chairman Wilcox and Mr. Tomkins pleaded for
the amendment a means OF curbing the Pnonc
Service corporations :heir attempt to eKtort IN
fair terms from the city for extensions OF transit
facilities.
Tt viii be q club IN the hands Of the authorities
30 prevent Unfair or improper propositions from
being forced on the city" said Chairman WILCOX
We are living practically In q state OF siege
iby the corporations declared Mr. Tonahins, and
rye need emergency measures"
After Mayor Kessnger Of Rome had presented
She side OF .he third class cities who want TO have
water bonds exempted from their debt limits. and
Representatives OF many OF them had SPOKEN
Chairman Wilcox called on by Senator Travis.
Ezs declared that under existing conditions there
was no deciding what the debt limit Of New YORK
City was but there was doubt about the need
for more subways- These could be obtained In two
~ays by private capital municipal construction
He took vigorously with the assumption OF
the Cassidy committee that the commission stooa
sor future building by private capital
40 MORE PERPETUAL FRANCHISES.
1T is not the attitude OF the commission 80 favor
construction by private capital only. said he al
though the law should he amended 10 permit 1t
under certain circumstances The time OF perpet-
ual franchises has passed forever. There VIII De
no more long term grants; no more shall we give
up the streets OF the city TO private individuals
That is not only the policy OF the commission but
'zhe sentiment Of our citizens
Then the chairman spoke OF the probable loss
Of business ard citizens TO New Jersey because OF
the recent tunnel connections under the North
River If adequate facilities were not provided in
New York And make proper terms with the
capitalists New York City not be down on Its
rnarrovbones.' he said. Then he spoke Of the
-EenfieTnen's agreements which drove Anthony y
Brady back 10 Brooklyn and forced him TO sell
his wall e. Cortiandt street franchise, which kept
the Brooklyn ana Aueeus AOUlINs SoAAAt'49 N4-N0N'
snd which Theodore P. Shonts openly awowed
when William G McAdoo proposed TO extend his
tunnel few blocks further uptown TO the Grand
Central Station.
reatleuaen's agreements7' demanded Mr.. WILCOX
'How long must this transit territory be divided
among these capitalists as chips are divided over
= poker table, Pass this amendment for Us, gentle
men This money cannot be spent in real estate
.pecllsfton or n police farms anything but le-
climate and necessary rapid transit extension
or dock improvements. and your Legislature mas
Eafeguarded that 10 the utmost
lawson Pur6y, president Of the New YORK Clty
Tax Commission confined himself 10 discussing a
few Of the objections offered 10 the amendment.
which he demolished speedily He declared that the
-sssare-ox-t41e-arn arnenarneHt,rr}lich he advocated
ezrnestiy could not affect the use Of city bonds
IS emergency currency under the Aidrieh act Most
Of the criticisms Of the amendment he went on.
had been made by people who had not studied II
thoroughly.
Nh TOMKINs SPEAKS.
Practically all the organizations in New York
City we're asking for the passage Of this amend
rnent declared Calvin Tomkins. who spoke next.
r,nl- Yha Chamber Of Commerce had taken an at
tftuaA against il. and it's dissent was qualified.
.T< we don't have adequate transit facilities we
car have nc increase IN The tax valuations said
rs. and II have no increased valuations. we are
cr,-+afed in making our other big public improve
roen-s" Then he pointed out the advantageous
situation OF New Jersey where all the big railroads
save the New York Central had their terminals at
s,deuster He referred 10 the lower land values.
.he suburban residence development and the avail
able tsnd for business purposes the railroads and
~rst.rfrorts That state. by itE suhTays to lower
Manhattan. was entering directly into competition
with Kew York City. And not only the city, but
.ba state and even the nation. when New York :
s15prera..cy wes considered. we're affected
I'VE ask you 70 unite the citys hands that II
nav protect itself against private exploitation
,et5 Nr Torktns IF YOU do not unshackle It
-eu nut Il in the market place for sale. We need
.-,.-s.ncv measures in present situation.
while Everett Y Abbot. chairman Of the COM
nj va eX-