New-York tribune., 1922-09-16
Mayor Beams ON Every
One Until Republicans
Club Counsel Asks for
More Cars, Less Talk
Plan All Politics
Declares Attorney
You're Looking for
Trouble SaysHisEIonor
as Lawyer Quits Room

The initial public hearing on Mayor
Hylan's S6oo,oo0,000 transit plan, at
City Hall yesterday, proceeded tran
GULLY, encouragingly, approvingly,
until some one suggested that it was no
moro and no less than political mass
meeting.
The Mayor had beamed through all
the preliminary declarations of faith
and approval. The gallery had re-
sponded cheeringly. The body of the
large council chamber was filled with
enthusiasts in the Hylan cause.-The
Hylan transit cause.
Representatives Of the Chamber of
Commerce of Washington Heights, the
Washington Heights Taxpayers As3o-
citation, the Harlem Board of Trade, the
Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the
Manhattanville Community Council and
various other civic organizations in
those areas and sections of the Bronx
affected by the portions of the Hylan
plan under discussion, yesterday re-
sponded promptly and affirmatively to
the Mayors question as to whether
they favored the plan in general. The
changes suggested were minor ones.
Assistant Secretary Matthews, of the
Board of Estimate, neared the end of
his list Of those to he heard from. He
came to the name of the Central Re-
publican Club, the 10th Assembly Dis
trict Republican organization, whose
representatives had been invited to be
present. Irwin Kurtz, an aggressive
red-hcaded lawyer, responded for that
organization.
Received an Invitation
eve received an invitation to come
to this meeting and, believing that the
Mayor was sincere in sending us the
invitation, we came" said Mr.. Kurt
Being organized Republicans, we
fought as hard as we could to keen
all Of you gentlemen from being where
you are, but after Election Day we are
citizens first and Republicans second
and as citizens we ask you to cut out
the conversation and give us cars, and
do away with iniunstions by obeyine
the law. and give, MS subways. Every
single delegationD-
Wait minute" Interrupted Mayer
Hyian, with lowering countenance
Just read that last Statement. MI
Stenographer."
The statement was repeated by the
stenographer.
"Do away with injunctions by obev.
ing the law? queried the Mayor.
''Yes, SIR said Mr.. Kurtz. ~ saw
to you, sir, having studied the transit
law and believing that i know some
thing about it, this Board Of Estimate
is not above the law. You are gov
erned by the law of our state as ex-
pressed by our Legislature and YOU
must obey that law, as citizen of this
state; and if you disobey the law Won
must expect the court to issue an in
Junction against you. Now, we want
cransit"--
AldermGnic President Hubert inter.
posed to ask the speaker what particu-
lar injunction he referred to. Mr
Kurtz replied that he referred to nc
particular injunction, but that he had
heard the Mayor say earlier in the
hearing that II he proceeded with the
plan ne would be met with injunction
Borough President Riegelmann ot
Brooklyn interrupted to ask the
speaker what law he thought the Board
OF Estimate was violating in ADVANCING
subway plan for the future transit
situation of the City of New York. Mr.
Kurtz started to reply, when he was in.
terrupted by the Mayor and other mem.
bers Of the board. He complained that
he was not allowed to complete his an.
swer, but declared that he expected
chat sort of treatment"
Denied Looking for Trouble"
'You came here looking for trouble, ,
declared the Mayor.
mo, sir, did not" said the lawyer
III came here in response to an invita-
tion. and | have two resolutions passec
by the Central Republican Club, and as
citizen / want to be heard"
Just moment, just a moment" in
terposed Borough President Riegel
mann. Il want you to answer my ques
ton, but you must not try to thrust
down my throat the kind of answer yo,
would like to get in the newspapers
"Yes, sir" replied the lawyer, "but
say that this meeting is nothing more
or less, SO far as legaliGies are cor
cerned, than mass meeting"
The Borough President and tn,
Mayor pressed the speaker for direct
answer.
II said that you, as the Board o.
Estimate, are not above the law" sale
MIR. Kurtz. II say that under tn,
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