New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-22
CHARTER COMMITTEE
REFUSES ALL ATTACKS
First Hearing in City Hall Opened
with a Warning Against
Criticism.
ITO GET LAWS WE WANT"
Senator SAKE Says Democrats
Are Now Coming Into Their
Own"-Mayors Franchise
Veto" Is Opposed.

Veto" Is Opposed.
The Joint committee Of the Legislature
began its public hearings on the proposed
new city charter yesterday in the Alder
manic chamber Of the city Hall with an
unconcealed attitude Of giving snort
shrift TO important suggestions. ana an
evident determination 20 badger every
protestant VINO had any real criticism ot
it's work 20 offer.
Senator Cullen. chairman Of the SEM
ate cities Committee. who. with Assem-
blyman Foley. Of the Assembly cities
Committee. presided over the hearing
opened the session with the statement
that there had been too much Criticism
which he considered nothing less than
villifcation. and added that the commit
tee was determined TO have none of me
oratory concerning the charter Of "hat
he termed the "csrt-tail' variety.
Individual members of the committee
ably supported their two chairmen by
submitting those who appeared against
particular portions Of the charter 10
constant fire Of Interruptions and sneer-
ing remarks. while they listened win
"a pt attention 10 what eulogy Alderman
Walsh was able 10 give them IN ths
course IF a long speech. which struck
most OF those who heard II as being
within the description OF Senator Cui-
lens 'csrt-tail' variety.
F1anked on one side OF the committee
and enthusiastically supporting II m
repulsing every attack on the charter
we're Ray B. Smith, who was described
as associate counsel" and r. &. Cum
minGs. the lawyer who was before ths
legislative investigating committee last
winter 70 explain his employment in
Albany by the Jockey Club, in connection
with the racing legislation. Cummings
part yesterday was Of the quiet whisper
ing variety, however. and his chief en-
ulovnent geemed 10 be 10 laugh heartily
every time Assemblyman Hoey got par
ticularly pugns cious in badgering a cit
/ izen who dared 10 criticise Jhe work ot
/ the charter making committee.
Where the Attack Centred.
| For the most part those who appeared
offered their chief criticisms upon the
same points. The calendar ot the COM
mittee assigns certain subjects for oscn
day. and the provisions 70 be discussed
Yesterday were only those relating 10
the Mayor. the Board Of Aldermen, the
Borough Presidents and the Commis-
sicner Of Accounts. The attack centred
! largely. therefore, upon the provisions
giving the Mayor a franchise veto over
the Board of Estimate on subways. the
proposal to allow the Mayor to name his
substitute when absent from the CITY,
that 10 take the Borough Presidents out
Of the Board Of Aldermen; the provision
which makes the approval of the Board
of Aldermen necessary TO certain issues
of corporate stock, and that which re-
strains the Commissioner Of Accounts
from anv Investigations except those 70
which he is directed by the Mayor.
The special provision which proposes
70 give the Mayor the power 10 assent 10
the destruction Of records by any de-
nartment head also came IN Tor frequent
criticism. and although the committee
man advanced various arguments upon
most of the other complaints offered u
was noticeable that none OF them had
ANYTHING 10 say in defence Of the de-
struction provision.
Senator SAKE put the apparent atu-
tude Of the committee clearly beiors
those who came with suggestions for i'm
democrats were now coming into their
own" and intended 10 get laws that
they wanted" although later in the day
Serator Cullen took occasion 10 assure
tbosa present that the committee ap-
rroached the hearings with free and
omen mind, 10 listen to cool argument.
Senator Cullen's reinsurance was
called forth by a tilt between LaWrehce
4 Tanzen. representing the Citizens
Union. and Assemblyman Hoey VINO
seemed disposed 10 tilt with every ono
who appeared. Mr.. Hoey offered audiols
cor,rent 70 one OF Mr.. Tanzen's sugses-
tions with a remark in which waste OF
tir,ep seemed 10 be the chief part of the
sentence. and Mr.. Tanzen hotIy ~
sponded:
"rr the committee is going 10 jam
tbrougb this charter 1 am wasting tne
lime NJ the committee and my own
time"
"Of Free and Open Mind
=, that senator Cullen declared that
any remarks concerning tanning
through the charter were out OF place.
.,,a.,,,sa the committee was OF a free and
open mind.
Douglas Mathewson. Acting Controlle-.
spneared at the morning session 10 OF
fer eleven specific amendments to ths
nroposed charter as IL is now drafted.
Eis chief objection was 70 the provision
giving the Mayor authority 10 direct the
destruction os records.
"~be suggestion for a way FOR destro,
ing records was made by the Finance
nepartment." said Mr. Mathewson. "bdt
a. has been rendered unrecognizablc. for
orr suggestion was that the destruction
ba directed by the courts. Why the
Navor might be an interested party 10
seeing the records destroyed"
Another Of his amendments was based
on the provision which. as he put II.
"nade the Commissioner Of Accounts en-
tirely subservient TO the Mayor" and on
the franchise veto proposal the acting
Controller said:
The setting up OF the one-man veto
would frustrate the will OF the people.