New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-27
Borough Head Wanted to
Invite P. S. C.'s Sugges-
tons on Project
SEES RESTRICTION
IN MARGINAL WAY
Prendergast and Pounds
Protest Against Burl-
ingame Proposal

Borough President Marks stirred up
a warm discussion in the Board Of Estl-
mate yesterday by introducing a resolu-
ton which would invite the Puolie
Service Commission 70 submit sugges-
tions on the proposed West Side inn
proyement plan. II was lost by IL 70
4, Borough President Connolly OF
Queens and Acting Borough President
Morrigon of Richmond voting with Mr.
Marks.
Mayor Mitchell and Controller Prem
dergast opposed the resolution, assert
ing that the Public Service Commits
sion would have an opportunity to
suggest at the public hearings. Pres
ident Bowling Of the Board OF Alder
men announcing his vote in the mega
tive, said that II did not indicate how
he would vote on the question when
it came up for final passage.
Considers Board Competent
"If members of the Public Service
Commission have suggestions TO make
we will be glad. to hear them," said
the Mayor, "but ] think il is foolish
for one public body TO ask another to
take part in such a matter. This is
a confession, it seems to ME, that we
are not competent to handle the mat
ter ourselves"
Controller Prendergast explained that
he had converaed with one member
Of the Public Service Commission and
had told him that h. would be glad to
have their suggestions.
Borough President Marks insisted
that If member of the Board of Esti
mate could ask the commissioners for
their opinions, it was proper to have
the commission as a whole make sug
gestions.
Contract Called Important
Mr.. Marks issued a statement after
the meeting asserting that he believed
that by reason of the nature of its
organization and experience, especially
in 20 far as railroad matters were con-
cerned, the Public Service Commission
should be invited TO offer suggestions
and recommendations lie said that
the proposed contract between the New
York Central and the city was the
most important that had come before
the board since the subway contracts.
May | again cal! attention 10 the
fact.' he said. that through action OF
the Sinking Fund Commission, taken on
June /, 1916, a width OF only % feet
is now available for the six-track rail-
road along the marginal way for the
four blocks from Thirty-eighth to
Enrty-eacOpd cr~aotc Gucb "a linn ~
ton will prevent the construction of a
marginal railroad of more than two
tracks, which will, of course, be entire
ly insufficient for future use by the
Jersey railroads"
Controller Prendergast and Borough
President Pounds of Brooklyn sent a
letter last night to Senator Alvah W.
Burlngsme, protesting against the res.
olution introduced by him in the Leg
islature providing for an investigation
Of the West Side agreement. The letter
took particular exception to the par.
of the resolution stating that sit being
openly charged that there is, if not
COLLISION between certain public Off
Gals and officers of the railroad corpO-
ration, at least inertness and inditfer.
ence in the assertion and protection Of
the rights of the citizens of the city"
The letter demanded that if the Sen
ator had any knowledge or evidence on
which to base such an intimation he
should present it Immediately to the
grand jury.
1--WE know the manner in which that
work has been done" it said. "and we
resent as piece Of astounding impu
dence your presuming to pass upon a
piece of work about which you know
nothing, as the terms of your resolu-
tion prove. II there has been any
wrongdoing we are more anxious than
you are that it should be exposed"