Whereas, If the Commission were to go out of existence at this time it is probable that the continuity of work would cease, the value of much that has been done lost, and an indefinite postponement of practical remedies ensue; therefore, be it Resolved, That this Chamber strongly urges the city administration and the Legislature to take such steps as may be necessary to extend the life of this commission for at least three (3) years more; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Mayor and members of the Board of Estimate, to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and that the President appoint a committee of three to wait upon the Mayor with the view of securing his endorsement to a suitable bill or joint resolution and his co-operation in securing its passage to extend the term of this commission for another three years. Respectfully submitted, E. H. OUTERBRIDGE, NEW YORK, February 21, 1913. Of the Committee on the Harbor and Shipping. The preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted. DEATH OF ALFRED P. BOLLER. MR. OUTERBRIDGE on behalf of the same committee made the following report and moved its adoption : To the Chamber of Commerce: After a career of more than fifty years of continuous activity as a civil engineer, ALFRED PANCOAST BOLLER, a member of this Chamber, entered into rest on December 9, 1912. During his professional life, MR. BOLLER and his immediate associates, designed and constructed some of the most important engineering projects ever accomplished, in this and other countries, which now stand as examples of the highest skill and ability as engineering works; and wherein were also exhibited intelligence and taste in original conceptions, as well as appropriate design and integrity in execution. MR. BOLLER rendered services of the highest order, as consulting engineer, both to this and other municipalities in the solution of involved and abstruse engineering problems, affecting civic transportation and kindred matters; for many of which his compensation rested alone in public and professional appreciation of good work well done. A literary style, marked by ability, clarity and elegance of diction, was a feature of MR. BOLLER'S professional papers, which enhanced his engineering reputation, and materially aided his professional brethren in their work. MR. BOLLER was an honored and valued member of this Chamber and of its Committee on the Harbor and Shipping; and he was at various times an honored officer of the leading engineering associations, of both this and foreign countries. Courteous to those with whom he came in contact, loyal to his professional associates, gracious and helpful to the young and struggling members of his profession, with high ideals of public and private service, his memory will be an inspiration to those who aspire to emulate his example. Your committee recommends that this memorial be spread upon the minutes and that a copy thereof be sent to the family of the deceased. MR. OLCOTT.-I crave the honor of seconding the adoption of this minute. MR. BOLLER was a distinguished member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was an important officer on the Committee of the Harbor and Shipping. Before the death of MR. JESUP he prepared that very able paper, which all of us remember, on the congestion of street traffic. He combined rare artistic ability with practical engineering knowledge and skill. He designed the original Hudson Memorial Bridge, which was planned to connect the crest of Inwood Hill with the Heights of Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and which was to have been dedicated at the time of the Hudson Fulton Celebration, and which still forms a part of the city's plan in the Bridge DepartI suggest, sir, if it meets with your approval, in the adoption of this minute, and as a slight honor to a very splendid man, in passing which the Chamber honors itself, that the minute be adopted by a rising vote. The minute was unanimously adopted by a standing vote. NAUTICAL SCHOOL. JACOB W. MILLER, Chairman of the Council of the Nautical School presented the following preamble and resolutions and moved their adoption: Whereas, The Board of Education of this city has introduced into the Legislature a bill looking towards the discontinuing of the Nautical School of the City of New York; and Whereas, It is essential to the marine interests, to the city and to the nation in view of the possible enlargement of commercial fleets, to continue in this port the instruction of the youth of the city in nautical matters; therefore, be it Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York advocates the passage of a proper bill by the Legislature, placing the Nautical School under the jurisdiction of the state in accordance with the usages prevalent in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania which states are the only two in the country maintaining such schools; and be it further Resolved, That the details for carrying out the above purpose be left to the Council of the Nautical School of the Port of New York with power. MR. MILLER. In presenting this preamble and the accompanying resolutions I do not think there is any necessity to go into an explanation as to why they are essential. The schoolship since 1873, when it was established in this port, has been more or less under the jurisdiction of this Chamber. It was the original intention to have the schoolship under the jurisdiction of the state; and, as a matter of fact, the United States Government details a ship directly to the state which it only recognizes, and the state turns it over to the Board of Education of the City of New York. For the last three years the Board of Education, without showing any hostility to the scheme or plan of the schoolship, has contended that the burden of the expense of this school should not be borne entirely by the city, and that we should have in this state the same rules and the same plan as obtains in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The advocates of that plan propose to introduce into the Legislature a bill relieving the city of the onus of the expense and placing it generally upon the whole state, thereby insuring to the youth of the whole state a chance of joining the school and becoming sailors. The resolutions being seconded by FRED B. DALZELL were unanimously adopted. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION LEGISLATION. FRANK E. LAW, on behalf of the Special Committee on Workmen's Compensation Legislation, presented the following report and moved that it be accepted and placed on file which was carried: To the Chamber of Commerce : The Special Committee on Workmen's Compensation Legislation, appointed under the terms of the action taken at the meeting of October 3, 1912, reports that six bills have been introduced in the New York Legislature, all of which have been carefully examined by your committee. The only bills which have received any large measure of support in the Legislature were the bill known as the MURTAUGH-JACKSON Bill introduced on behalf of the New York State Federation of Labor; the bill known as the FOLEY-WALKER Bill, introduced on behalf of the Insurance Department, and the bill known as the MCCLELLANDESQUIROL Bill, introduced on behalf of the National Civic Federation. The provisions of the MURTAUGH-JACKSON Bill were in direct conflict with the declaration of principles already approved by this Chamber. The provisions of the FOLEY-WALKER Bill and of the MCCLELLANDESQUIROL Bill were substantially in accord with this declaration of principles. On February 19, 1913 a joint Senate and Assembly Committee hearing was held at which the merits of these bills were discussed. The labor interests, who are favorable to the MURTAUGH-JACKSON Bill were represented by MR. GOMPERS and other labor leaders who argued in favor of the MURTAUGH-JACKSON Bill. There were present at this hearing nearly 1,000 employers of labor and representatives of commercial organizations throughout the state, including the Chambers of Commerce of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all of whom, including representatives of this Chamber expressed opposition to the MURTAUGH-JACKSON Bill and approval of the general provisions of the FOLEY-WALKER Bill with some suggestions as to its amendment along the lines of the MCCLELLANDESQUIROL Bill, introduced at the instance of the National Civic Federation. As the result of this hearing, both the MURTAUGH-JACKSON Bill and the FOLEY-WALKER Bill have been practically withdrawn, and a new bill has been prepared by the Senate Insurance Committee which bill adopts most of the best features of the FOLEY-WALKER Bill and the MCCLELLAND-ESQUIROL Bill. This bill is in accord with the principles approved by this Chamber and will, therefore, have the support of your committee. THE PRESIDENT.-It is gratifying to know that the views of those 14 who have considered this important matter have finally prevailed, because no end of harm might have been done if there had been speedy action which afterwards it might have been difficult to reverse. THE NATIONAL GUARD. FRANCIS G. LANDON, for the Special Committee on the National Guard and Naval Militia, offered the following resolution and recommended its adoption: Resolved, That it is the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York that it will be to the best interests of business men and employers, as well as to the organizations of the National Guard and Naval Militia, that other commercial bodies of the city and state be invited to appoint committees similar to the Chamber's Special Committee on the National Guard and Naval Militia, to the end that there might be joint recommendation and a concert of action. The resolution being seconded by JAMES TALCOTT was unanimously adopted. HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS. HOWARD C. SMITH moved the adoption of the following preamble and resolution: Whereas, It is a question of grave importance whether the continued increase of high buildings in the City of New York does or does not constitute a menace to the future prosperity and best development of the city from the points of view of beauty, health, return on real estate investment, assessable values of land generally, and the stability of such values; therefore, be it Resolved, That the President be requested to appoint a Special Committee of five to examine into the question thoroughly and to report their findings and recommendations to this Chamber, especially as to the advisability of action being taken looking to the restriction of the height of buildings to be erected in the future. REMARKS OF LOUIS WINDMULLER, ESQ. MR. WINDMULLER-I had the honor of being chairman of a committee some years ago that recommended restricting the heights of buildings in this city. Nevertheless, buildings have gone higher and higher ever since, and I think it is quite in order now to take up this matter again and see to it that proper restriction is made and con |