New-York tribune., 1919-08-31
Launches
Statewide War
On 8-Cent Fare
Continued from page /

nounced their intention to make this
fight.
at has been shown in the late
Senatorial investigation of lobby
charges in connection with the Car
son-Martn increased fare bill that
the traction men are willing to use
both foul and unfair means to coerce
the Legislature into granting higher
streetcar fares.
Reorganization Of the traction trust
propaganda is complete and entails
use of money for highly paid coun-
sci, together with the manufacture
of protraction trust propaganda by
an established bureau operated by an
expensive personnel.
Wants Committee Of 1000
"To Offset this plot to foist eight
cent fares on the people I here
by solicit the aid of committee of
1000 to be known as the New York
City Citizens Vigilance Committee
to Fight the Eight-Cen Fare.
"This committee will function
under duly appointed chair
man and advisory board, and will
have for its immediate object a can
vass of New York City candidates for
the State Assembly to ascertain
their position prior to election in re-
gard to increased fare legislation
and to pledge them to vote against
such legislation at the next session
of the State Legislature.
81 have already written Mayor ".
R. Stone of Syracuse, president of
the New York Sta.e Conference Of
Mayors, outlining what has been done
and offering to cooperate with
similar committees organized in
cities of the first and second class.
"Citizens wishing to serve on the
New York City Vigilance Committee
may communicate with John E. Sin
mott, secretary, City Hall"
Letter to Syracuse Mayor
Later the Mayor made public the let
ter to Mayor Stone. This reads:
Dear Sir: A situation has come to
my attention wh:cs, | believe should be
placed before the mayors of the cities
of New York through the New York
State Conference of Mayors, of which
organization you are president.
This situation relates to what may
ho
through the next session of the state
Legislature an increased fare bill, af-
fectlng franchises now existing be-
tween the cities of the state and trac-
ton companies, guaranteeing citizens
a seen. fare.
"The officials behind this propaganda
are the same men who financed the dis
graceful attempt last year to force
through the Legislature the notorious
Carson Martin bill. The activities of
these gentlemen were exposed through
q Senatorial investigation which has
become matter Of state history
Fears imposition on Public
"Since that time by act and outspok-
en- word the traction propagandists
have expressed determination again to
attempt to influence the Legislature in
favor of increased fare legislation at
the coming session of 1920.
$50 powerful are the interests be-
hind this statewide Increased fare or
ganization and so potent have been
their influences in the past that unless
speedy steps are taken b. city officials
am convinced that an imposition upon
the public will be perpetrated by legs-
lative act
The only offset to the campaign be-
ing conducted by the traction trust
propagandists is public organization of
citizens to impress upon candidates for
the State Assembly the necessity OF
protecting the rights of citizens under
ex sting franchise agreements.
I'm New York City have called for
vigilance committee Of one thou
sand TO devise ways and means of COM
batting this propaganda and to canvass
and pledge Assembly candidates prior
to election to vote against any legisla-
tion for increased fares
Committee to Start at Once
"This committee will begin its work
Immediately and it would be glad to
dCt Ill Concert WIN OCner similar COM
mittees in New York State cities of
the first and second class.
"This matter is of so grave impor-
tance that I hasten to bring it to your
attention, with view to whatever CO.
operation the New York State Con-
terence of Mayors may deem proper to
extend in this extremity. New York
City will go it alone or will work with
other cities if they desire our coopera-
ton.
"Your organization in the past has
been unalterably opposed to increased
fare legislation proposed at Albany
standing IS buffer between predatory
interests and the people, and am sure
the matter now in hand will suggest
itself to you as of first Importance.
yours truly yours,
"JOHN F. HYLAN."
Mayor"
No comment was made at the Office
of the Corporation Counsel yesterday
on the letter addressed by the Mayor to
Mr.. Burr, suggesting criminal prosecu-
tion of Commissioner Nixon for in
creasing the fares on the New York and
North Shore Traction Company's lines.
Inquirers were informed that no action
would be taken, if at all, until the Cor
poration Counsel returned on Tuesday.