New-York tribune., 1919-02-13
BiiltoLinlit'Phone
Charges Here Put
Up to Legislature
Goldberg Also Plans Remedy
for Wrong Number Costs;
New York Public Service
Measure To Be Amended
Staff Correspondence

Stdt Correspondence
ALBANY, Feb 12.-The Democrats
to-day served notice on the Republican
majority that they would start their
fight next week to get some Of their
programme through the Legislature.
Senator James A. Foley, minority lead
er, served notice on the Senate that
he would move the discharge of the
committees on consideration Of four
OF the bills introduced by the Demo
Gratis These included the minimum
wage law for women, adjustment of
the Public Service Commission for the
cirst District and creation Of single
headed commission and d rapid transit
commissioner, the bill appropriating
$4,000 TOR Governor Smiths recon
structlon commissioner, and the bill
to merge the Narcotic Drug Control
Commission with the State Health
Commission.
Two Of these are almost certain of
passage. The last named will probably
go through as it is.
The bill abolishing the New York
City Public Service Commission in an
amended form is likely to go through.
1t is proposed to amend it SO as TO
make it three e-headed commission. one
of the commissioners to be in charge
of transit construction
introduces Telephone Bill
AS announced in The Tribune, Gov
ornor Smith has asked Colonel William
Barclay Parsons, builder of the original
subway to take charge OF completing
the citys subways. Colonel Parsons is
in France.
In the belief that the Public Service
Commission is limited in any action it
might take to meet complaints of New
York City residents on alleged excess
sive telephone charges in hotels, apart
ments and clubs, Assemblyman Mark
duced a bill which would prohibit q
charge more than that asked at public
telephone stations in the same tele-
phone exchange.
Another bill introduced ny Mr. Gold
berg would require the telephone COM
pany to furnish its subscribers, on re-
quest, list of calls made in monthly
statement This bill, according to Mr..
Goldberg, would remedy complaints
against charges on wrong number
service.
Under the terms Of both bills viola
tions of their provisions would incur
a penalty of $50,
The Public Service Commission is
conducting an investigation of ex-
cessive charge complaints in New York
City.
Assemblyman Goldberg declares the
telephone service in New York City in
the last few weeks has been worse than
ever before. He said that under the
present Public Service Commissions
law he didn't think the commissions
has the power to remedy conditions in
New York, and that the commission is
further embarrassed because telephone
lines are now under Federal control.
1t is, therefore, up to the Legislature,
rather than the Public Service Com
mission, to act, he believes.
AS protection against abuses due
TO changing of ADMINISTRATION, Mrs.
Mary NJ. Lilly, representing the 7th
Assembly District Of New York, has
introduced bill making the grad
ing of matrons in the Department of
Correction in New York compulsory.
Would Abolish Useless Jobs
A number of New York City civic
organizations, including the Citizens
Union, arc behind legislation soon to
be offered cutting out d number of
useless jobs in New York City. Four
bills aim at abolishing the Office of
Commissioner of Records, All the
boroughs, except Richmond, now boast
of one. 1t is estimated that by abolish
ing these jobs and transferring the
duties Of the commissioners to the
county registrars and clerks, $780, 900
annually would be saved.
the present system of city officials
hiring lawyers to act as special coun-
sell, The sponsors of this legislation
say 100000 is spent in this manner
annually, merely as political patronage.