New-York tribune., 1921-03-11
City Officials
Admit itTractiOn
Bill Will Pass
Only Obstructive Tactics
left to Administration
l. Court Action Based
on Constitutional Point
0,Brien Assails Methods
Charges Autocratic Power
Il Given Board; Critics
Are Hit by Prendergast

l.
c,tv officials admitted yesterday that
.,.r were convinced that Governor
w,,.r's bill designed to solve New
york's complicated traction problems
In he speedily passed by the Legis-
,..,re and that the only obstructive
...tes left to the Hylan administra-
ian will be in the form of court action
~, the new transit commission has
,.cun 10 put the measure into effect.
Asserting that the Knight-Adler bill
v.s being damned through" Corpo-
-.tion Counsel O'Brien issued q "de-
n.nd" to the Governor for another
,uhNc hearing. He based his demand
., the action Of the Senate Public Serv-
n Committee and the Assembly Com
uittee on Judiciary in reporting out
n. bill on Wednesday with drastic re-
v!sions
Senstor Hiram W. Johnson, of Cali
,ornis, who has been employed as spe-
cisl counsel TO conduct Mayor Hylan's
eght against the bill, is still in Wash
ington, but he has been kept Informed
by Mr. O'Brien of the progress of the
bill. It Is understood that Senator
Johnson has advised the Corporation
Counsel that the only hope of the city
to block the enforcement of the meas
urs will be in recourse to court pro-
ssedings. Mr.. o Brien and Mr.. John
son already have said that they will
fight the measure on the ground that it
Violates both the state and the Federal
constitution.
Juggernaut Moving. Says O'Brien
The juggernaut is moving at Al
tsny" said MIR. O'Brien yesterda in
reference to the committees favorable
action on the bill. "lf there were no
other reason for the people of the
whole state to rise up and condemn
Governor Miller and his henchmen in
tie State Legislature for their attempt
to trample upon the rights of the peo-
pie, that reason would be found in the
plan adopted of driving his audacious
legislation through the law making
body.
"At the hearing held on March 2,
representatives of the people discussed
The Knight-Adler bill as it had been
presented to the people. Now. rter
the Governor and others have added
their amendments and the original
measure has been subjected to both
major and minor operations, it is
hmmed through the Assembly and the
Senate committees without the SEM
blance of an opportunity being given
" the people of knowing what these
amendments are and what their effect
may be.
III our law-making body, under the
whip and spur Of the chief executive
Of this state, may successfully deny
every opportunity to the people to be
heard and rush through to enactment
measures which are designed to invade
the most sacred rights, then the time
has come to change both the statute
and the constitution with respect to
our chief executive and the method
of making laws"
Charges Autocratic Power
Corporation Counsel O'Brien issued
smother statement last night in which
he pointed out what he believed was
another glaring instance of The secret,
silent, stealthy method Of building up
in the so-caiied Transit Commission
In Governor Miller's bill an autocratic
power" Mr.. O'Brien referred to Sec
ton lO8 of the bill, witch is entitled
Additional powers and duties of the
Transit Commission
This section" said the Corporation
Counsel, mot only transfers to the pro-
posed Transit Commission all of the
powers and duties of the old Rapid
Transit Commission, the Public Serv-
Ice Commission and the Transit Con-
struction Commission, but also all the
powers and duties which are set forth
In sweeping piece of legislation
passed in 1917, which was specifically
designed TO solve the West Side prob
lem. {.
"An analysis of this provision. simple
and innocent as it looks. clearly demon
strates tina, Governor Miller, under the
guise of bringing relief to the public
travelling on street railways and in the
subwsys, is not only seeking to stabilize
the securities Of al these companies
but is also providing, consciously or
anconsciously, as the fact may be, a
vehicle for putting over another West
Side grab1
Destructive Critics Assailed
Critics Of the Knight-Adler bill, who
20 not offer any substitute for the
solution Of the city's transportation
problems were attacked by William A.
rfendergast, formerly Comptroller, at
me Rotary Clubs luncheon yesterday
1ne McAlpin. He asserted that op-
ponents Of the Governor were trying
y oefog the issue by focusing atten-
uon on the B. r. T. and the I. r. t.,
pvIn W., unpopular coyporations.'
Inc Governor is conscientiously
nying to put into good shape all the
s'stems which are now headed for the
sssWrssIp,heap," said Mr.. PIendergast.
Win all the receiverships now exist
at and more in prospect. public Off
.sls who are opposing this bill are not
ssasfing any substitute. On the sur
..es lines. where once there were 1900
s0Iter asaster points, we now have only 200,
saa on all lines where transfers have
.s .ssn eliminated the fares are 10 cents
'uu ~ IN some instances Is cents.
am not personally in favor of in
~. tls.ssed fares if it can be shown that
Wactlon lines can be run on a
,Issat IN basis But it is obvious that
''.s 10000, 900 deficit last year and
.s,noortage Of another $1O,OO0,000 for
sntsnance ~ the lines cannot be kept
~ me proposition to substitute bus
"ss W ior surface lines Is nonsense"
~. Prendergast said home rule talk
IN evasion of the issue. He said