The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-16
Records Show That the Notifications of the Westchester
Franchise Were Accomplished With
Comparative Ease.
MIXERS DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE OF CIR
ExComptroller Metz Says the Late Senator Grady Asked
That the Board of Els innate Give Square
Deal to the Westchester Road.

What the Board OF Estimate did in
1908 and 1909 In modifying the franchise
of the New York, Westchester and Bos-
ton Railway IL revealed by a study of the
boards minutes for those years.
Charles s. Mellon. ex-prtsdcnt of the
New Haven road, testified on Thursday
that In order to get thirteen charter
changes he set aside sl.2oo,OO0 worth OF
New Haven stock, which was afterward,
delivered through the late Inspector
Thomas +. Byrnes to certain unidentified
persons in exchange for Westchester
STOCK worth about 10 cents a pound.
According to the records the board
granted everything that was asked for.
although there were long delays and In
at least one instance the board unani-
mously reversed itself.
The story should begin with the grant
ing OF the original franchise by the Alder
men on July 20, 1904. The ordinance was
favorably reported by the committee on
railroads. consistins Of Aldermen John J.
Haggerty, T. 4. Little Tim) Sullivan.
Frank Cass, John Il. Mccarthy, Robert
L. Downing, John I. Mccall. Moses j.
Nafer ana James Il. Gaftnty.
Mr.. Gaffnoy got immediate considera-
ton for the report the vote was 50 to
S. The eight who opposed the franchise
were X, publicans-Davies, Goodman.
-.iItenhasvn, JauI.s, .Neytrs, Outn. MOO
inson and Sturges. The road agreed TO
pas 40 the cts 5000 Il year Iur me nrst
ten years and $4,000 for each of the next
ntteen years.
Beginning of Petitions.
-.
showered upon the Board Of Estimate
early In 1908. The first one of that year.
asking for 4 two year extension in thu
time during which 100000 was to be-
spent in construction. was presented BY
Mace Moulton, president OF the Sew York
auu Iort tnsstrr pduroad company. ON
June ). Edward VI, Grout and John J.
Deiany appeared for the company. Tho
petition was granted unanimously and
s,sneu by Mayor Ne, ienin on June l..
Five days later Alon Ward~ell pres
ident of the New York, Westchester anI
Boston Company, sent in two petitions.
one asking for approval for chansc IN
route, the other FOR i've franchise modi-
ficatiuns-appaTcnty five OF the thirteen
mentioned by Mr.. Mellen.
MIR. Wardwell wanted the route changed
because Of the exec ssiNc cost OF acquiring
a right of way along the original route
lie said delay in acquiring real estate
would indefinitely postpone the compile
ton of the road. Some OF the otntr
Things he asked for were permission to
use overhead trolley wires to connect with
other transit systems at West Farms and
to extend tn" time limit.
The two petitions were referred to Bor-
ough President Louis r. ilaifon of The
Bronx. "A member OF the Board OF Esu-
mate Mr.. Hancn recommended that the
petitions be- granted, Ina submitted a re-
port to the same erect from Josiah \.
Briggs. chief engineer of Bronx borough.
Corporation Counsel Frances h. Pendle-
ton suggested "A few amendments ana APP
proved the petitions. The Board of Es-
innate at first voted against "A resolution
Ior the amendment of the contract and
set "A public hearing for september Is,
but later. upon the recommendation of
President Patrick +. McGowan of the
Board of Aldermen, 1t reconsidered its
vote and adopted the resolution unsn-
imousk.