New-York tribune., 1921-12-20
Cly1ln Accused
OF Taking Part
In Phone Lobby
Republican State Chairman
Denies Charge Made by
Utica Official Before
Mayors Conference Here
Hylan Urges Home Rule
Act Empowering Cities to
Seize and Operate Public
Utilities Is Demanded

Mayors, corporation counsel and
city attorneys, representing sixty
cities throughout the state, attended
the conference in the Aldermanic
Chamber at the City Hall called by
Mayor Hylan yesterday to discuss
various subjects "of interest to all
cltles,' as the Mayor said, including
mandatory legislation, home rule. pub
Tic utilities, gas rates, the tive-cent fare.
municipal ownership and city problems
in general
In order to reach better under
standing between city officials and
members of the Legislature, some Of
the latter were invited and attended.
They were interested listeners to the
vigorous attacks made by Mayor Hylan
and other speakers on the Legislature
for its infringement on home rule.
The various subjects assigned for ad-
dresses, outside of the speeches bv
Mayor Hylan and Corporation Counsel
John 2. O'Brien, were discussed more
or less academically until William r.
Goldbas, Republican Corporation Coun-
sci of Utica, speaking on the subject
of Public Utilities" caused a sensa-
ton by charging George A. Glvnn
chairman of the Republican State Com
mittee, with lobbying before the Public
Service Commission in the interest of
the telephone company and other cor
porations Mr.. Glynn denied the allie
gatlons when they were brought to his
attention.
Phone Inquiry Accused
I'm regard to the present telephone
rate case before the Public Service
Commission, which investigation as
that commission calls it, will continue
tomorrow" said Mr.. Goldbas, ~ saw
that the Public Service Commission is
not conducting an investigation that
Will lnure to the benefit of the users
OF telephones in this state. I say that
the commission is aiming to help Gov
ernor Miller in his next candidacy for
the Governorship of this state. and 7
am an enrolled Republican holdinp Of
fee under a Republican Mayor Of the
City of Utica. VIZ
Il say the Republican State Com
mittee is endeavoring to influence men
who are representing their constituents
before the Public Service Commission,
and say that Chairman Glynn is in
attendance at times in an anteroom at
the hearings before the Public Service
Commission in an endeavor to Influence
some of the corporation counsels of
this state to let the public be mulcted
and assess rates that are beyond the
actual returns that should be given bv
the telephone company on its property
used and useful in the public service
of the state"
Mr.. Goldbas also charged that the
Public Service Commission sometimes
rendered opinions S'when it is politi-
cally expedient." He said it took
about eight months to try the Utica
trolley rate case, and the commission
held up the decision until two days af-
ter primary day, so as to help DR.. Fred
eric 5. Douglas. VINO opposed James K.
O'Connor for Mayor. He declared that
{ If this decision had come out fortv-
eight hours before primary day last
September DR.. Douglas, the present
Mayor-elect Of Utica, would not have
been in the running.
Hylan Seems Pleased
| Some of the Republican mayors and
corporation counsel from up state
Strengthened up in their seats when
they heard the charges of Mr.. Goldbas.
Mayor Hylan, who was presiding. and
Corporation Counsel o O'Brien, who sat
beside him, smiled and seemed pleased.
When Mr. Goldbas's remarks were
called to the attention of State Chair
scontInusd on paQe flysl