The New York herald., 1921-02-20
Urges Citizens to Offer Con-
structiye Suggestions on
Bill to End Chaos.
WARNS OF FALSE CRY
Chapter of DOn'ts Shows
Chief Points in Crisis in
Traction Middle.
PLEA MADE FOR RESCUE
Gov. Miller's Programme to
Remedy Defects in Trans
portation Approved.
PLEA MADE FOR RESCUE

Striving to eradicate the misconcep-
honest prejudices on the part of others
in connection with the transit pro-
gramme of Gov. Miller, and the bill
pending in Albany to carry out his
General Committee, through it's spe-
cial committee, yesterday issued an
address to the people. 1t recited the
transit muddle that exists in the city,
ernor and the provisions of his bill
No attempt was made to indorse the
bill, as 1t now exists. it being assumed
that changes probably would be made,
and the address wound up with this
admonition:
Don't hesitate to make thoughtful
and constructive suggestions to your
Senator and to your Assemblyman."
Other don'ts urged upon the public
are:
DON'T be misled by the false cry
Of home rule All power in the munich
pality emanates from the State
DON'T forget that some of the very
people in charge of our city govern
ment who now raise the cry of home
rule only few years ago were clamor-
ing for the Legislature to grant power
through the Public Service Commits
sion over a city matter, that of the
West Side improvement.
DON'T forget that il is the i'm
potency OF our city government that
has created the existing emergency.
DON'T forget that every railroad
franchise comes from the State. not
from the city.
subways Came From state.
DON'T forget that the contracts for
the present subways were made by d
board created by the State Legislature,
not by the Boasd of Estimate and Ap-
portionment. The latter body simply
consented on behalf of the city.
DON'T forget that the State made
the contract with the railroads. and the
State can alter those contracts. The
city has already consented to the exer-
else Of the franchise granted by the
state.
DON'T forget that at ono time the
State delegated to the Board of Alder
men its powe.' to contract with the rail-
roads.
DON'T forget that the State with
drew the power thus delegated and
vested that power in the Board of Esti-
mate and Apportionment
DON'T forget that the State can like
wise. In this emergency. take the dele
gated power from an impotent Board Of
Estimate and Apportionment and place
II in commission created for the pur-
pose.
DON'T forget that the revision of
some II not all Of the subway contracts
would be of great interest TO the public.
because the provisions for the payment
Of the preferentials are unfair to the
city. and especially is this true where IL
is provided that on the failure to pay
such preferential because OF lack OF
earnings interest thereon IL made cumu-
latve. under provision made for semi
annual rents. and this in effect produces
compound interest.
DON'T assume that this plan means
an increased fare.
DON'T forget that no transfer means
two fares.
DON'T forget that two five cent fares
are the equivalent OF one ten cent fare.
DON'T forget that this is not a
political measure. but n determined ef-
fort to benefit the entire community re-
gardless Of politics and In spite OF the
effort by Tammany Hall 70 make politl-
cal capital out OF that effort"
summary Made or Conditions.
The committee whlch prepared the
address consisted OF II. J. II. Kracke
Alfred L. Nass, Jacob Brennor. Marcus
Is. Campbell. Richard II. Laimbecr. Jr..
aud Jacob \. Livingston. the BROOKLYN
leader Starting out with the declara-
ton that II was manifestiy impossible
to measure the work that had been
undertaken by the Governor without
first recognizing the conditions ms they
exist this summary Of such conditions
was given
ta) a city OF more than five millions
OF people. comprising territory of
more than 30 square miles. demands
adequate transit facilities.
thl With minor exceptions. the entire
transit system OF the city l. IN tho
verge OF cola pse Those roads no,
already in tho hands Of a receiver arc
rapidly approaching that cventuality
(cl The city has temporarily lost IT,
investment OF $3.50 00o.coO: It's borrowing
capacity has been thereby crippled: ali
projected municipal improvements are
held In abeyancc.
(d) Securities aggregating approxl-
matcly billion Of dollars are held by
tho public and the capitalization thus
created is out Of proportion TO the In
Srinslc value OF the properties that sup
port a.
(e) one by ono the surface lines are
suspending operation. and while tho
subways suffer greater congestion. their
equipment is daily becoming less eff
cicnt Unless the present course ot
events bo arrested the city with shortly
be reduced to the most meagre facin-
ties for transportation and IN some dis
tricts be left with none at all
% The necessity for action Is imper-
atve. but any action neccssitates the
coordination Of powers now vested
Contirvcd on strth Page.