New-York tribune., 1921-01-26
\ y =

can run 1t on g Scent fare, and ws
are getting better service than the dis
continued streetcar line.
"The city of New York can give AT
up-to-date service with municipality
owned busses."
Tbs Mayor then introduced tbs
President of the Board of Aldermen.
when planned to come here" sale
Major La Guardia, Il had intended
saying complimentary things. But af.
ter reading your excellency's message
on the traction problem in this morn
ing's newspapers | have been bit
stunned. l have not yet recovered my
BREATH"
La Guardia Backs Mayor
The Republican member of the Board
of Estimate then said that he indorsed
the Mayors sentiments on the proposed
bus system for New York City.
"The City of New York." said Major
La Guardia, "does not want the bill as
an offensive measure, but as defen-
sive measure. The transit conditions
in New York City are abominable. The
overhead expenses of the surface cars,
am convinced, are so great that they
must give way to cheaper methods of
transportation afforded by gasoline
driven busses. The passage of the bill
proposed is necessary for the safety
and comfort and convenience of New
York Citys travelling public"
Mayor Hylan next introduced Presi-
dent Curran, who began by saying that
he subscribed to all that President La
Guardia and the Mayor had said.
"The city should have this weapon
In order that 1t may deal successfully
with companies who may be seeking
franchise to operate bus lines" said
President Curran. eve need that pro-
lection.
"As a city we have invested $780,
100000 in subways and the investme ent
is potentially profitable. If it were
not for the World War, the city would
now be receiving profits from it's in
vestment. 1t should not be considered
for q moment that the city's powers
over street car lines should be taken
from it. The city has grown in capac-
fty for self-government, and the prin-
ciple Of home rule should apply pri-
marily where we have 100000 900 in
veste5 and it should be left to the city
to say what fare should be charged
Whether it is 5 cent fare or less
or more is our own affair.
II have noticed that your excellency
has said that there has been q gooc
deal of loose talk about home rule.
have made a study of home rule. II
was some loose talk about home rule ir
1775 that led to the creation of the
United States Of America.
81 doubt il some of the things that
have been said on the principle Of
home rule could be accurately denomi
mated as loose talk 1t was because ol
this home rule principle that the city
in 1913 invested $500, 100000 of munici-
pal funds and laid out the plan for the
development of the city's future transit
needs.
"The transit problem in New Yorl
City is something entirely for the res
idents Of the city to decide 1t is s
matter that concerns the taxpayers and
the rentpayers of New York City di
rectly and hardly concerns any one
else. The question of transportation
in New York City, in my opinion, is
not question which an outside agency
can solve any better than the people
Of New York City themselves. OF
course. there are things which are not
matters for home education, fol
instance.
"But we do not need the interposi.
tion cf state body to decide what
really is a partnership between the
city end the transit companies. The
super imposition of a state body ir
the traction affairs of New York City
would be turning back the hands Of
the clock of municipal progress sew
enty-hve years, when the Mayor OF
New York City was appointed by the
Governor"
Corporation Counsel John P
O'Erien then spoke of the legal phases
of the question. This ended the argu
ment in favor of the proposed bas sys
tenn.
Governor Makes Reply
Then came the Governors turn tc
speak. He had sat silently throughout
the entire proceeding, rather diff
cult position it seemed at times, judging
from the numerous grim smiles which
played around the corners of hi;
pressed lips as he listened to the at
tacks of his partisans from New Yorl
City. When he spoke it was not in hi:
usual calm, deliberate tones. His voice
was raised and his gestures consisted
largely of pounding on his desk.
II am very glad to hear what yo,
gentlemen have to say" he began. 90
course, shall give careful considera
tion to anything brought to my atten
tion by representatives of any of tn,
municipalities, certainly municipalit,
representing SO many people as you do
OF course, whether l shall send mes
sage to the Legislature or not, as yo,
request, you can address the Legisla
ture in the same fashion you have me
While have the power to recomment
legislation, the Legislature Is the law
making body.
"Perhaps, In view Of some Of tn
things said, ought to say to you som
things that are clear to me in my owl
mind, whether they may be of interes
to you or not. The very fact of You
coming to the state now, asking tn
state to give the city power which i
does not now possess, because of a sit
uation in its transportation probler
which you have described as--I thin
one Of you used the word desperate
the fact that you are asking it, as tn
President Of the Board of Alderme
said, as defensive measure, certainl
demonstrates one thing.
THAT is, that from some cause, an
do not undertake to assign the caus.
the transportation problem in the Cit
Of New York has drifted to a situatio
that needs correction, and that tn
cause has been due certainly, anon
other things. to the way the probiel
has been handled in the past.
Not a Piecemeal Issue
"This is not a piecemeal questio,
your transportation problem If 70
undertake to solve it in piecemeal 20
will never get solution. Whateve
difference of view there NAV he q