New-York tribune., 1910-04-22
DEBT LIMIT BILLS PASSED
Conflicting Measures G
Through Assembly.
%
TBy TELEGRAPH to The Tribune ]

Albany, April 21.-Not wishing 20 take the
responsibility of deciding whether Mayor
Gaynor's OF the Citizens Union plan for
making operative the subway bonds debt
limit amendment was the better. the As
sembly to-day passed two bills introduced
for that purpose
Assemblyman Shortts bill, favored by
the New York City administration. pro-
vides that the Board OF Estimate shall de-
eide what bonds are self-sustainiug. Its
finding is then to go 10 the Appellate Di-
vision. which is to pass on the boards
finding after an ex-parte proceeding. Any
finding Of this court ca be further re-
viewed or appealed from. The objections
Of the opponents to the bill are that il
does not prescribe whom the court shall
hear, what notices there are 10 pe OF hear
ings how long il shall take TO settle
a case They hold that for this reason a
dissatisfied taxpayer may tie up al pro-
ceednE for years.
The Lee bill. which was drafted by the
Citizens Union. on the other hand, makes
specific what hearings may be held in de-
termining what bonds are sustaining
1t permits the Public Service Commission
to initiate an action. and. after hearings.
tho Appellate Division Is to make an Of
fetal determination of the amount of bonds
to be excluded. Any taxpayer or bond
holder can appear before the court, but
the bill prescfibes how Ions the hearings
may be held. so that all proceedings must
be closed in . period Of from six weeks
70 three months. The decision OF the Ap-
pellate Division is to be final
II is declared that this bill will prevent
long drawn out litigation. When the two
I,
an attempt will be made to agree on a
compromise measure.
The Assembly also nassed the proposed
constitutional amendment Of Mr. Merritt.
the majority leader. providing for water
storage IN the forest preserve where II is
needed for municipal uses.
The Assembly judiciary Committee mas
reported two Of the ward election hills
drafted by the New York County Repub-
lican Committee. Oae reduces the election
districts So that each shall contain $50
voters, instead Of En, and the other re
quires that watchers at the polls he resi-
dents of the borough in which they work
or Election Day.
Tho Assembly Judiciary Committee voted
down the concurrent resolution OF Assem-
blyman Dana proposing an amendment II
the constitution providing for the appoint
ment or the Secretary Of State. State
Treasurer. Attorney General and state En-
gineer and Surveyor by the Governor. bv
and with tho advice and consent Of the
Senate. instead Of their election by the
people.
Tho committee to-day reported one OF
the series of bills introduced by Assem-
blyman t. ". Phillips. carrying out the
recommend Of the commission ap-
pointed 10 Investigate employers liability
II makes the employer liable. notvith-
standing the letting out Of work TO con
tractors ana sub-contractors. and gives the
employo tho right or amending the notice
OF action.
The committee also reported Assembly
man Sweets bill amending tho Civil Ser
vice law by protecting against removal
veterans Of recent wars.
In the Assembly to-day bills increasing
the salaries OF the state Commissioner OF
Agriculture and members OF the State
Highway Commission hv $20c0 each Were
fsvora bly, reported
The Assembly Codes Committee has
taken favorable action on the bill OF Dis
trict Attorney Whitman which allows the
bringing az new proceedings in cases OF
misdemeanOr where defendant has been
discharged by a magistrate. Ii is particu-
larry aimed at New York city liquor deal
ers, who have been discharged by friend
Is magistrate after an excise violation