The New York herald., 1921-02-17
Overwhelming Victory in
Both Houses Of Legisla-
ture for Miller's Plans
Is Assured.
MEASURE INTRODUCED
Public Hearing to Be Held
in Albany March 2-Ef-
fort to Get One Here
Fails.
~<S
OPPOSITION rs DWINDLING
Two Commissions May Be
Functioning in 30 Days
Westchester Wants to
Get Benefits.
Special Despatch to THE New York HnRALp
New York Herald Bureau,
ALBANY. Feb IA

Special Despatch to THE New York HrHALp
New York Herald Bureau,
Albany, Feb. 16.
Gov. Miller's transit bill reached
the Legislature to-day. The measure,
which Is to restore New York's wrecked
rapid transit system. was started on
it's way to the statute books In both
houses.
As the Governors fight enters its
second stage there Is perfect conf
dence In the Senate and Assembly
that his recommendation will be ac-
cepted with as little delay as possible.
The two commissions may be func-
tioning thirty days from to-day.
All the main provisions Of the bill
have been. made public. The State
delegates without reserve or restric-
tions its police powers to the two
commissions.
One commission will handle exclu-
sively the transit situation in New
York with unlimited authority to link
all disconnected lines and branches Of
every kind of transit into one and
with authority to Ak fare which shall
make the whole self sustaining.
The other commission will handle
all transit outside Of the metropolis
and all other public service questions
throughout the. State, including New
York city. The Legislature Is ready
to pass the bill. The votes arc pledged
In both houses. Public hearings will
be held In Albany on Wednesday,
March 2.
Sentiment for the Bill.
Senator Lusk. majority leader OF the
Senate, and Speaker Machold OF the As
seuably announced to-day that the ma
jority sentiment in both bodies is over
whelmingiy for the BILL Even the New
York city opposition has been cornered
by the Tammany minority. A few Re-
publicans from New York will cast their
ballots against the bill because Of fear
of local conditions. That is. they will
unless the sentiment in New York keeps
changing until all the law makers from
New York fnd they had better stand
with the majority.
When the bill was presented In the
Senate by John knight. chairman Of
the Public Service Committee. the forty
odd members present paused moment
In the routine of the House. They
heard with keen interest the drawing
voice of the clerk informing the men,
bers that the most important measure
offered in the chamber for many years
Il. o. Ho-
bate and consideration. Without COM
ment the bill slid along the routine chan
nels into the Public Service Committee.
Senator Duggan. Republican. of New
York offered resolution requesting the
Public Service Committee to hold hear
ing In New York. Because OF the vast
Importance OF the subject thousands will
wish to attend and cannot come to AL
bany. the Senator explained.
Unanimous Consent Refused.
Unanimous consent to consider the
resolution was refused by Senator
knight, who said the committee would
decide whether to hold its hearings.
Speaker Machold announced later that
the leaders had decided TO have the
hearings here on March 2.
I'VE cannot establish the precedent OF
going to other cities TO hold hearings
even on so important subject as the
transit BILL Mr.. Machold said. such
action would open the way to demands
for hearings on every important piece Of
legislation In the city most affected"
In retaliation for this refusal Sem
ator Walker. Tammsny leader. refused
nf.
fered by the majority leader to have
printed 1900. copies of the transit bill
for distribution In New York.
Senator Lusk said II was important
TO have copies of the bill for all who
wish TO study It.
New York Is now getting Its ideas
on the transit legislation from soap box
orators and dcmagogues. and II Is evil
IDENTIFY the intention OF the minority
leader that that condition shall con-
tinuc.' declared Mr.. Lusk. "1f tho pco-
pie In New York don't have copies OF
this bill so that they can md out ex-
actly what's I'm IL, such q condition will
continue. The action Of the minority
lea(Vr Is In line with the efforts TO
suppfess information and with the cam
paign OF Misrepresentation now being
carried on In New York"
senator walkers Assertion.
You've made moro soap box orators
than anybody else" shouted back SEN
ator Walker. ''Ali this is window dress
ing and csmoufage How do VIC know
the bills will reach the right peopie7
dare say that you could now pass the
bill by thirty-hve votes. but II tho men
right here In this circle read II and
acted on their convictions II would not
ps passed.
"rhe men in the Senate here are the
Continued or Second Page.
THE PLAZA
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