New-York tribune., 1921-03-03

Miller Calls Opponents
Public Enemies and In
sists His Proposals Will
Not Disrupt Home Rule
Violate 4. S. Laws,
Johnson Answers
q Mayors Vote Against
and Five for Plan; Big
Crowds at the Hearing
Fro~, a star Correspondent

the fleld DAY lor 0HS oPpohSHlS anu
nranonents of the Knight Adler bill,
which embodes Governor Miller S
IDEAS on the transit problem and
other public utility questions.
It began at 10 o'clock this morn
ing with a meeting of the New York
State Conference of Mayors, where
the mayors of twenty-one upstate
cities, with population of 6,629 ,232,
went on record against the bill. Five
of the smaller cities of the state,
with a population of 363,s19, voted
+ for the bill.
At noon large delegations from
New York City, led by Alfred E.
Marling, called at the executive
chamber and assured Governor Mil
ler Of their support.
Governor Miller seized the occasion
as an opportunity to brand the op-
ponents of his plan as public enemies -
who took advantage of causes (which
prevc[ people from thinking straight"
and try to add "distemper to the public
n.nd.'
Guarantees Home Rule
The Governor said that he could have
taken the popular side of the question,
but that ii he did the transit companies
in New York City would be forced
either into the junk heap or to the
auction block The bill, the Governor
assased his audience, was not drafted
By corporations, and that notwith-
standing the cry of his critics it guar
an.eed the cities ample home rule.
Two hours later the public hearing
on tire bill. which was attended by rep
resentatives OF most of the cities of
the state. began in the Assembly y
Chamber and lasted until well on to-
ward : oclock.
The opposition was heard first. SEN
s,or Hiram Johnson. of California, and
Mayor George r. Lunn of Schenec-
lady were the principal speakers
against me bill. The former assailed
the measure as unconstitutional and
k.ecnhscatorg. Mayor Lunn declared
/ 'aaat the measure established d soviet
iOlm Of government in the cities, and
declared that the municipalities Of the
state would iight it in the courts -he
nament il was written on the statute
books.
Presiden, +. H. La Guardia OF the
Board Of Aldermen. speaking for the
Republican members Of the Boarl Of
Estimate asked that there be ,efer-
endum on the plan which the transit
commission may adopt, if the moasure
should become law
! Judge Also Attacks
Another Republican speaker against
| lhe bill. Supreme Court Justice John
Ford OF New York City, said that if
the measure were enacted into law
the Republican candidate for Mayor in
I New York City this fall would receive
less votes than there are inha bitants
IN the village Of Arcade. This refer
4 ,nce to the home of Senator John
4 hn!ghts the introducer of the bill in
s the uppNl house. was received with a
storm Of laughter, and when the rest
Of the chamber had regained its
composure Senator Knight was still
a chuckling
n Another speaker for the opposition
charged that the bill was written by
'ne Invisible government"
Senator Johnson declared that the
Measure was violative of the state and
Federal constitutions, that it made a
Mockery Of self government and if it
became law there would be no such
tang as home rule.
ms IS not regulatory measure,
ne added. "lt is one of destruction
ana cQniiscation."
William A. Prendergast, formerly
comptroller under Mayor Mitchell,
The BILL
ii the city had taken any action
eward the adoption of progressive
PAN, SAID Mr. Prendergast, Il might
'aS that il would be inexpedient to in
seriere However, in the absence of
81 any such program, ! doubt the right of
IL '"e city authorities to come here and
i Wy you have no right to interfere"
Mr. Prendergast said the bill does
.'' raise fares, but merely gives the
sist commission power to regulate
,eem, and added that if the people of
Wy city were given better service they
'yuin willingly pay an increased fare.
AZ i;45 p m, fifteen inmates before
' noun set for the hearing, the
nssembly adjourned. The Assembly,
4sa ss no sooner left their seats than
.9fsS who were waiting behind the
ns4 sa which oncircled the cham ber
81 smpef rushed past the sergeant at
W,.Ss WaS and took possession Of the chairs.
INN I'VE minutes the chamber was
wLtaiiy packed from floor TO gallery
~ ss.. H d crowd as large as ever attended
"'y nearing held here.
FL Johnson Is Cheered
s,es s,s lew minutes before 2 O'Clock SEN
osn.'.on S.oonnson entered the room and the
l. ieIss'',on irIss set up d cheer. Mayor
| Sm,a ,an followed and he was accorded
bsnnsslI applause. Then two of the
tSa tSsIeis bn carried py the opponents Of
+ Of W. pni olllowed down the middle aisle
ao,s4. ,ss4s assembly Chamber One was a
/ sit t'eelofoldered azure standard of
Of H., en sdaptation Of one of the flags
tfssSs dc 'olonists, the legend, Don't
Of tsJ yIooa on me- shreking out in letters
I coissSJ wing red, while in place of the
/ can serpent Of the flag Of the Ameri-
gsea,ss' ss'vMiutonlsts was silver map of
silvss,,sars New York, and above the en-
York e.. hye counties the line: "Ne ,
mon NJ .h, other standard, slab of COM
Contra. s.s.raooard, bore the slogan "A
A'ae' Is contract"
CLOCK Senator Knight called