The New York herald., 1920-01-08

wards the salaries or nurses ana attend
ANTS must be made adequate. The work
lof caring for the insane requires so much
tact. patience and skill that II should be
we'll paid. An increase in wages was
lgranted last year, put still further
land more extensive increase will
Ibe necessary this year II the State
lis to carry on this great humanita-
rian project in a creditable and praise
worthy manner. The State must meet
private competition, and, II we are to
continue to secure the services of compe-
tent people and to hold those we ALREADY
have. we must meet the salaries that are
Offered TO them in fields outside of the
State employ.
Milk and Living Cost.
| During the summer and fall of last year,
Through various agencies, an exhaustive
study was made OF the question Of the
production and distribution of milk. I'm
like other foodstuffs II is an absolute
essential for babies. children and invalids.
The public health is dependent upon an
ADEQUATE supply Of pure and wholesome
milk at a price within the reach OF all.
liz am convinced from the testimony ad-
duced at the numerous hearings on this
subject that In the interestvof the public
welfare. the State, through its law making
body. must declare the production and
distribution of milk to be a public utility,
subject to regulation and control by the
State itself. -
have co-operated with all efforts. fed
Ieral and local, directed at control OF the
high cost of living. l placed at the dis
lposal of federal and local officials the
resources of the State in their efforts to
detect and prosecute food profiteers and
have had studies and Investigations made
lin the endeayor to find the fundamental
facts involved. These clearly indicate
necessary changes that will strengthen
the food laws Of the State ana VIII De
presented to you by the report OF the
| Reconstruction Commission
| In some Instances guilt Is SO personal
| In these matters. and the profiteers hide
behind their constitutional rights to dis
pose of their own property at a price thar
lsuits themselves, that is my belief that
only an aroused public opinion can reacr
them.
Publfc Service Commissions.
| In my first message TO the Legislature
lof 1919 asked for a radical change IN the
istructure of the commission in the First
District. This suggestion met with your
approval, and am convinced that the
Of the commission in the First
District has been materially simplified and
that tho result has in every way justified
lyour action.
| I am IN receipt Of the first detailed and
comprehensive report dealing with the
question Of rapid transit railway construc-
ltion, SO written as to be understandable
by every citizen In the state.
| I renew my suggestion Of last year, that
YOU enact legislation giving to both COM
missions sufficient power to enforce their
orders.
It also has been brought to my attention
that rates are fixed by public service cor
porations under provisions Of the statute
sy the filing Of schedules. These rates
may at any time be increased by the flilng
Of other schedules without the consent OF
the public Service Commission. except In
those cases where the rates have been pre-
viously fixed by order Of the Public Ser
vice Commission after contest and hearing
| Municipal Ownership.
Every city in this State. through the
Conference Of Mayors. has petitioned the
Legislature to enact laws empowering
municipalities to acquire. own, operate and
control their public utilities.
Transportation, light, heat and power
are vital to the life and health of great
municipalities. History mist have taught
the unprejudiced mind that these facilities
! should be under the control Of the people
who directly use them. I am strongly OF
the opinion that we have reached the point
where the State might well confer this
power upon the municipalities.
Undeveloped Water Powers.
Another year has passed and added fur
| ther to our history the folly Of permitting
our great natural water resources to GO
| undeveloped. We are continuing to drag
coal into the State for the purpose OF gen.
Grating electrical energy that could be
brought into being by harnessing our great
natural resources. and We sit by and per
! init this energy to run to waste.
4 There are three classes Of people tn
terested in water power development. Tht
first class Is the old time reactionary indi
vidual who believes in private ownership
and private development with very
small II any return to the State. The
second class is made up Of the men who
believe In development by the State, will
long leases to private individuals Th'
third class Is composed Of men who be
llieve In ownership, development and opera
I ton by the State. IF the people them
selves are to get the full benefit of th'
development Of their water power re
sources. 1t will have to be done in confor
nifty with the ideas held by the thirs
class. In every. spot In this state wner'
lby our past policy we have permitted
private development nobody has benefited
but the individuals who have been luck!
enough to secure the rights. =.
i again urge upon your honorable
bodies the adoption Of definite polio!
upon this important question.
Barge Canal and Terminals.
In the competition OF the nations 70
!. world trade reduced cost Of transporta
tioA is an essential factor. TheRe Is n
cheaper form OF transportation than tina
! provided by waterways. The Barge Cana
can, II fully equipped and completed, be
, come our most valued asset for securing
much of the new shipping business await
ing intelligent use OF waterways an
J terminals by a State enterprising an
alive to the possibilities Of our merchan
marine.
The state of New York has spent million
: of dollars in the construction OF the Barg
, Canal. The money derived from the sal
, of bonds voted for the construction of tn
I Barge Canal is substantially exhausted
, In round numbers, there is about $2,0nVC
: of bond moneys unexpended. but all OF tina
sum is obligated by outstanding contract
4 for construction. So that It Is "a fai
statement, I believe. that there are
? bond moneys available for further wor
! lin connection with the Barge Canal.
II is estimated that 1t will require aoo,
: 81 900 900 to complete the system OF term
nails already planned but for which cor
tracts have not been let. This, of cours'
includes sums that 1t will be necessar
, to pay for lands appropriated for term
nal purposes. So that 1t seems to be fa.