New-York tribune., 1909-04-23
AFTER THIS THE DELUGE'

The uncertainty that hangs over the fate OF
the rapid transit and public service legislation
at Albany suggests that the legislature III lis
passion for defeating everything in which tToV-
ernor Hughes is interested. has become wholly
indifferent to consequences. The prospect tnat
the constitutional amendment resolution VIII ne
smothered In the Assembly is especially diSduleI-
ing Are Speaker WadswOrth aud ASsembIEInah
Merritt the Republican leader. who are re-
sponsible for keeping the resolution from the
Assembly. utterly unconcerned about the pros
pects of the Republican party in the next may
orally election in this city? Rapid transit Is
tie uppermost question in the public mind ii
New York The people are indignant with the
local administration because II has spent the
city's money and left it helpless before capital-
lists who offer TO build only half a subway IN
consideration of perpetual franchise for two
tracks of elevated railway. and they look TO the
Legislature for relief.
The only certain relief possible is the passage
Of the constitutional amendment Increasing the
city's borrowing capacity Only in that way
can the city build its own subways II private
capitaI will not offer reasonable terms, and only
in that way can the city obtain reasonable terms
from private capital If private capital is really
disnosed 10 act With the amendment the city
will have at least one new subway clearly In
sight; without il there is no prospect of reilei,
for the Interborough's terms are not acceptable
and there Is no evidence as yet that there Is any
substance to the only other offer that the Public
Service Commission has received. There is in
tense public feeling on this subject in New York,
for the situation of the city is critical. The
amendment is a vital matter to the city, and II
is vital to the Republican party in the city.
The other rapid transit and public service
legislation is second in Importance only 10 this
70 he
and rapid transit acts are reported TO have ex-
cellent prospects of passing. They should pass.
The bars should be taken down. so that reasona-
bic terms can be offered TO private capital But
If these amendments pass, and the resolution
affecting the debt limit is smothered. It will he
said that the Republican Legislature gave the
traction interests all they asked in the way OF
relief legislation. but refused to do anything 70
enable the city to protect itself against the ex-
tortionate demands of those interests. In the
present state Of the public temper that contrast
will be dangerous 10 the Republican party's
chances in the coming municipal election
The contrast would be emphasized moreover.
by failure Of the Legislature 10 pass the
amendments 10 the public service law asked by
the Public Service Commission. Those amend
ments merely define the powers of the commits
sion and give it clear authority TO act where the
law as it stands leaves its authority doubtful.
as for example, making explicit the power to
fix joint rates in the case of traction companies.
The public service corporations oppose these
amendments. They oppose the Travis-Lee con,
stftutional amendment. They favor the amend
meDts 10 the Elsberg and rapid transit acts. If
the Republican party defeats the two former
and passes the latter, the local Republican party
will have heavy burden Of explanation on it's
hands in the coming campaign