The New York herald., 1921-03-07
SO CITIES MISSING
FROM MAYORS LIST
Only 81 Out Of SO Municipali-
ties Signed Against Cover
nOr's Transit Bill.
SITUATION Is EXPLAINED
Senator Lusk Finds Upstate
Traction Lines Run Better
Than New York City's.
Special Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany, March 6.

Special Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany. March s.
Legislative leaders are satisfied that
the opposition to Gov. Mlller's transit
bill which has appeared in some upstate
cities Is the result Of misunderstanding
and that as soon as this is cleared away
the Governor will have their united sup
port, Even now they look upon this
opposition as greatly exaggerated. At
the meeting OF the New York State
Mayors conference here last week It
was made to appear that majority Of
the cities were against the bill. OF the
th!rty-four cities represented twenty one
were recorded in opposition.
A representative or the Mayors con-
ference later announced that there are
ffty-nine cities IN the state. and that the
opposition had endeavored to pledge all
Of them against the transit legislation.
but could only get twenty-one 10 sign.
This leaves thirty-e!ght cities either for
the bill or not recorded.
II IS the opinion Of the administration
leaders that most of these cities have
withheld Judgment because OF desire
to study the bill more carefully. The
argument Of Clayton r. Lusk, majority
leader or the Senate, that where upstate
cities under the present law have been
fair with their traction companies they
have escaped, transportation difficulties
while New York city is suffering from d
deplorabe condition because It has not
been fair, Is having considerable weight
with them. The situation In New York
city. he has pointed out Is Statewide in
It's Importance. and the failure 70 handle
Il has made It necessary for citizens OF
bat ~ IN ha I'm
Senator Iusk has presented the argu-
ment that the State must act where the
transportation system has broken down.
as Is the trouble IN New York city In
answer to letters and queries from
various parts Of the State he has said
that the best citizens OF New York city
have demanded that the State exercise
It's powers to protect the health and
morals OF the travelling public OF that
city, where now the public is brutally
jammed into cars. the people have to
pay two and three fares and in many
instances have to go without trans
portation altogether.
Senator Lusk has told all who have
inquired about the transit legislation
that. under It. whenever Increased fare
is asked for. the city will be a party
to the proceeding and can ask the Pub
lie Service Commission to modify the
franchises as a condition to granting II.
The commission is to have power to deny
any change IN fare, except upon con-
ditions and safeguards It may impose.
The city can also apply TO the commits
sion for better service. and the commits
sion can grant an order. which will
force the traction company to terms.
Opposition to the bill from upstate
cities is grad ually melting away under
-
the Public Service and Transit commits
sons are to have every possible power
for the protection Of the public that
the Constitution will permit. They have
declared that nothing could be further
from the truth than the belief that
the transit bill Is proposed in behalf
Of the traction companies