Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-25
NICKEL FARE IS
REAL ISSUE IN
N. !. CAMP |CN
Both Sides Pledge Them
selves to the Five-Cent
Rate, But HyIan Claims to
Be Original Champion.
(By The Associated Press,)

New York, Oct. 24.--The nickel
fare appears to be a real issue in
New Yorks stirring mayoralty
campaign, now drawing to close.
There are many other weighty
issues and all the candidates may
not admit that the fare problem is
uppermost, but it is the subject
most talked about now.
AS several millions of persons
have to travel to and from work
each day on the subway, elevated
or surface lines, the fare question
hits the pocketbook and accounts
for the general interest.
Mayor John f. Hylan. who is
seeking reelection on the Tam
many ticket, long ago proclaimed
himself the original champion of
the five-cent fare. He fought at
tempts of the various companies to
raise the fare in war days and car
ried his fight to the legislature.
Stole Hylan's Thunder.
His opponents, however, have
not been lacking in political sa-
gacity, and they, too, have pledged
themselves to a nickel fare. But
the mayors supporters claimed
the enemy stole his thunder and
have charged that the promises of
some of the candidates have been
made for campaign purposes only.
Additional interest was created
recently when the transit COM
appointed by the legisla-
ture to investigate the traction
lines, recommended that the five
cent fare be retained for one year,
pending final decision. The rec
ommendation was made in a pre-
report, and the mayors
promptly raised the cry
that the report was issued to influ-
ence votes They asserted that
loophole was left whereby the fare
might eventually be increased. The
commission, in reply. denied that
any Interior motive was involved.
The commission. in its report,
also recommended that the lines
be municipally owned. This caused
another hot reioinder from the
adherents, who said the
mayor was an advocate of city
ownership.
Maj. Henry Fl. Curran, the re-
publican coalition candidate. IA
vors the nickel fare, and has en-
dorsed, in the main. the principal
features of the transit commits
sion's findings But the MAYORS
admirers charge that Major Cur
ran represents the Traction
Crowd" and that If he bcomes
mayor, the fare will be increased.
Major Curran denied he represent
ed any one and said he would
stand by his pledges. If elected.
Home Rule Question.
AS corrollary TO the fare issue.
the question of "home rule" Is
involved. Mayor Hylan has claim
ID that the city should run its own
affairs, that the farmers in the leg
stature do not know the needs
Of the busting metropolis He has
'hafed at the charter restrictions
imposed by the legislature and his
appeal for genuine home rule has
been echoed by the Tammany or
SANITATION. But Major Curran, too,
has come out for more home rule
~ the city.
The other Issues have been de-
to some extent by the
findings of the legislative commit
ee, headed by Senator Schuyler
VI. Meyer, which was named to in
restigate the Hylan administra-
ion. The mayors friends have
,laimed this committee was an
pointed ito get something on Hy-
an" q charge which was emphat-
callv denied. Although the prin-
'ipal officers Of the city have
'een called upon to testify before
he committee, and some testi-
nonv has been adduced tending
o show irregularitv in the police.
lock and market departments, no
have been asked.
Major Curran who has long been
with the city govern
nent IN various capacities. has
'laimed that Mavor Hvlan's adj
has been inefficient.
hat the vast nroblems involved
we're too weirhty for "short-
lighted administration" to handle.
4e has pointed out that the rum
hing expenses of New York
amount to nearly million dollars
dav and that the business Of be-
ne mayor simply means the i'm
mediate application of business
Methods, with REGARD to plan
ling for future growth and devel-
,pment.
Curran for More Schools.
Major Curran has pleaded for
more schools--pointing out that
thousands OF pupils are on part
ime--and has called for business
Methods in handling the housing
The five other candidates have
10 far taken but little active part
n the campaign discussions. The
ocialists, however, through their
nayoralty candidate. Magistrate
'acob Panken, have come out for