New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-02

some OF our ableSt agricultural leaders
in constructive planning and be a dem
onstration OF enduring value to the
state. While this matter will receive
, the attention of the commission here
after spoken Of in this message. | deem
! it of sufficient Importance to spe-
officially mention it.
"The second class would be perma-
nent problems of reconstruction which
will give to our people a full reallza-
! tion of democracy at home, the ideal
for which they fought SO vallantly to
secure for all the world
GAS an effective means of assistance
in the solution Of these problems, /
shall INN ediately appoint Recon
struction Commission. That we may
be we'll advised as to the best means
of meeting these problems, / propose
to call to my aid men and women Of
the state who, willing to give their
time and service during the war, will,
| am quite sure. be equally willing to
aid the state in this period of recon-
struction and reimbursement. This com
mission can call to its aid advisory
councils throughout the state. To
their aid shall summon the universe
ties Of. the state with their expert
stats. the state departments and the
voluntary social and civil organiza-
tons, with their special knowledge of
particular pfODlemS.
During this period OF reconstruction
we must not forget that New York
State is now the commercial centre Of
the world, and that the great business
! interests of this state have made their
sacrifices because of war.
irresponsible and wanton attacks on
business are blow to capital and labor
alike The prosperity OF the working
man depends in large part upon the
prosperity of the employer. In franz
ing laws and in administering govern
ment, il is therefore Of prime impor-
| lance that legitimate business should be
safeguarded. promoted and encouraged
| to the end that we maintain our finan-
cial, commercial and industrial su
premacy"
Referring to the Public Service Com
mission he said:
"There is widespread dissatisfaction,
particularly in New York City, with
/ the Public Service Commissions.
''In the first district q radical change
should be made in the structure Of the
commission itself, if it is to ac-
complish results. At the time of its
formation in 1907 there was expressed
i grave doubt as to whether or not it
would work out we'll. There were
many who believed that the function
of constructing rapid transit railroads
for the City of New York should be
divorced from the function of regulat-
ing public utility corporations general
ly. In my opinion experience has
demonstrated that they were right
"For years the trend in New York
City. as well as in the state, has been
toward single headed comm ssions, TO
the end that the responsibility may be
fixed upon one man. During the re-
cent war the Federal government
taught us the lesson that results can
best be obtained by single executive
clothed with proper power when any
great work is to be carried out success
fully. What we do in time of trouble
is brought about by the very best
judgment we can exercise. Why is it
not sound in time OF peace? 1t is my
belief that the subway rapid transit
system of the City Of New York can
be built better and quicker under the
direction of Rapid Transit Commits
sIoner whose entire time, brains and
energy would be devoted TO the com
p'etion of thc subway system.
The regulatory functions Of the
commission in the 1st District also
might he performed by a single Public
Service Comm ssioner. Not only will
this result in an economy of admins
tratlon but it will be productive of
results. The argument has been made
that a separation Of the functions of
the comm ssion might interfere with
the work. This do not believe to be
the fact.
Asks One-Man Board
81 therefore recommend that leris-
iat!on be enacted to bring about this
change, aud make this recommends
ton after years of observation.
upon the same principle outlined
above also believe that the affairs
OF the Public Service Commission in
the I'd District Will be more
economlca!ly and more efficiently
managed by single headed commits
SION, and recommend that legislation
be enacted 20 bring this about.
II further call your attention to
the weakness of the law itself in not
giving to the commissions sufficient
power to enforce their orders. These
weak spols history has taught us seen,
10 nave been inserted for the benefit
OF the corporations to be regulated
Without ciumcratjng them in detail
IN this message, | would refer YOU to
mat part Of the report of the Joint
IeElsiatiVe committee appointed TO in
vest'gate The Publi1 Service Commits
SONS, transmitted to the Legislature
March 10, 1915, and ask you to enact
S''e'''' as VIII IcmcQN THESE
detects and strengthen the arm of the
commissions that they may more ef-
'eclively carry cut the function for
"hlch they were organized"
Asks Dry Referendum
Upon the subject Of submitting the
question of prohibition to the voters
/ OF the state the Governor said:
ask your careful sderation of
me pending amendment to the Federal
constipation providing for national
prohlhltlon. 1t is not my intention
't review the arguments that have been
advanced IN favor of or against tho
prohibition amendment.
he question to my mind is whether
or not the people of this state are
ready to surrender their inherent right
20 'egisiate upon this question. Are
The people Of the state prepared TO
forfeit any part Of their police power?
Are they reconciled TO the policy of in
cooperating in the Federal Constitution
rigid restriction upon their personal
liberty believe it is our duty to
ascertain their will directly upon this
subject believe we should consult
them, and to that end J recommend to
your honorable body that legislation
be enacted submitting the question to
a popular referendum in order that its
determ1natlon might represent the ex
| preston of the will Of the majority"