New-York tribune., 1919-04-12
Conpersation Turns to
The Streefcar Fare Bill

more than l had ever thought of. l
had a suggestion Of a partnership in
New York once for $4,000, but l
thought I could live better in Middle
port on $4,000 or $4,000 than in New
York at $4,000.
Then the talk was shifted to politics,
state politics, and the talk suggested
the next candidate for Governor. |
was told in that conversation-now, l
don't want any of these upstaters to
get jealous or mad about it, but he
said was the only figure up the state
that could be nominated for Governor
at the next election. | speedily in
formed him that there wasn't anything
in that; l shouldn't be in position to
be the candidate at all didn't want it..
And after that he told me that the real
reason he wanted to see me was be-
cause Mr.. Shonts asked him to talk to
me in relation to this Carson Martin
bill and wanted me to vote for it,
| told him l didn't believe he under
stood the Carson Martin bill and
said, Governor, that bill provides for
the reputation of "a contract" and
said, 81 cannot under any circumstan
ces support it. l have said so, publicly
and privately and in every way" and
said, 81 am worn out by the arguments
on it, and | cannot support it"
Not Fair to the Public
And l said l had gone down to New
York and investigated it and that the
dual subway contract there was a large
part of the subject of the investigation;
that | didn't like the contract itself;
| didn't think it was fair contract to
the City of New York, anyway, and that
! had called on several reputable people
IL tnc
taken and asked them what the city Of
New York got by virtue Of that dual
subway contract, and invariably they
had said, "The guarantee of universal
tive-cent fare for fifty years." and that
was the consideration the people of the
City of New York gave for that con-
tract
Now they want to put through a
bll that defeats that conception and
stlll gives the company everything else
that that contract gives them, a great
deal of which | don't think they should
have or deserve now. And I said. "I
wouldn't be for this bill. I feel the bill
ought to be beaten, and l shall do
everything I can to oppose it, and l
would be ashamed ever to come in New
York if I did anything to pass that
bill"
OuGBtStS \nHngcS
Wei" said Governor Whitman. "if
you feel like that, don't you think it
could be changed?" and ] said. ii
don't know whether it could he
changed or not; | hadn't thought Of
IT, Earlier in the year was willing
70 nave an investigation Of the stua.
ton, but it is too late now. There
lsnt any question about that" said.
cannot stand for 1t, and | don't
know how they could be revised. I
haven't copy Of the bin here. don't
remember the cxact language. II 1t
could be changed TO give power TO tho
tlty OF New York OF revise on con.
tract don't object to that"
He said: "Supposing you zee IL Won
cant fix 1t up some way. When nrc
you going back?" and / said: "Mon.
day" ''
He said T would like to see YOU to-
morrow or Monday" said: III | Ind
a copy Of the bill / would look at it..
put don't think anything can be done"
he didn't know where he could get
copy OF the bill, and / said: "Prob-
any the lnterborough have some cop
can send me the bill will look it over. +"
hc said he would get one and send it
10 me and wanted to know where was
ana | SAID: Down at the club" SO
that night he sent a copy Of tho bill
IN an envelope, and saw that the bill
was so worded that it was either that
or nothing; that is gil.
Asks About Bill
q. Is there anything further you can
say in regard to it?
a. There is a whole lot Of THINGS.
The following Monday called on Gov
ernor Whitman and told him I couldn't
change the bill any. didn't see any
way. He said he hoped something
could be done. He talked about the
politics in this situation in reference
to the bill on Saturday. He thought it
would be bad politics to oppose it, and
told me why, and l will tell you why
If you want it,
Senator Knight: Might I ask IL this
was IN the public dining room?
A. Yes.
Depends on Man Behind
Burlingame: Had that anything to
do in your mind with this charge?
a. Well, figure it out to suit YOUR
self. Ny mind operates on 1t that it
depends on the men that gcnt both
OF these men.
q. Did Burke have anything To do
win the Whitman episode? A. don't
Know q thing about n dortt IT,,