The New York herald., 1921-02-15
Governor Outlines His Bills
for Two Commissions,
One Exclusively for
New York City.
POLICE POWER GIVEN
One Plan for All or Several
Plans for Metropolitan
Traction Home Rule
Provision Made.
BUS LINES RECOGNIZED
Rates Can Be Raised or Re-
duced-City's Consent Re-
quired for Outlays From
It's Funds.
BUS LINES RECOGNIZED
srecial Despatch 70 THE NEW YoEK HEF,tn-
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany, Feb. IA.

sreoial Despatch TO THE NEW York HEsN.n-
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany, Feb. IA.
Gov. Miller made public tonight
summary of the rapid transit bills to
be submitted TO the Legislature this
week containing his recommendations
for remodeliing and rescuing New
York's disintegrating system of sub
ways. elevated railroads. surface and
bus lines.
The bill is an amendment TO the
Public Service Commission law and
provides for two commissions. One is
TO be a Statewide commission with
power over all utilities, excepting
transit in New York. The second
commission will handle exclusively the
metropolitan transit problem. Tho
first commission will have five men,
bers; the city commission three, with
five year terms.
The States police power to modify
rates. either b. way of increase or
decrease, is provided upon terms.
conditions, safeguards or readjust-
ments of franchise or contract rights
or obligations"
Sufficient return from operation OF
the new unified transit system to eX-
empt from the debt limit the city's in
vestment in transit lines is the only
specific provision made in the bill on
the subject of rates. The whole ques-
tion is one of adjustment 1t is left
with the commission TO decide.
Provisions for Home Rule.
Home rule is guaranteed to the me-
tropolis In a measure. To insure ac-
ton and end the intolerable pickering
and haggling which have brought on
the existing crisis, the city Is TO have
authority to cooperate. But IL the
Board OF Estimate is unable or un-
willing to cooperate. or unable 10 de-
eide its own policy. then it is that the
commission may step in with the exer-
else Of its sweeping police power and
conclude an agreement without the
approval of the board.
Straight and broad is the way poin ID
for the city administration. The cor1-
mission can make one or several plans
with the transit companies. These plans
and the terms are then 10 be submitted
TO the Board OF Estimate. which body
shall have thirty days for study and -
vision.
IL amendments in the plans or terms
are proposed by the city the commission
shalt give consideration and return its
report. either accepting or rejecting 10
amendment Then the board may have
thirty days longer for consideration ct
the amendment plans. and II still unahls
to agree the commission may execute
and deliver the contracts with fun log a
force and effect as II all approvals by
the city officials had been given"
Further. giving the city adequate pro-
lection of its financial investments. .hs
bill provides that tho transit commission
cannot make or modify any contract
for construction. equipment or anything
else which involves the expenditure of
municipal funds excepting with tho con-
sert and approval OF the Board OF Est.-
mate.
Pros rn mmc for Comm issi GU.
Applied to existing conditions In New
York. the meaning Of these provisions is
simply this:
The Transit Commission will proceed
20 negotiate VITA the compan mics hold
ing franchises for tho numerous lines
which arc to be welded into one sys-
tenn Tho city will participate in all
such negotiations. But for the reor-
ganization of the existing system, az
long as II does not involve outlay OF
funds, tho commissions word will be
final
Tho Board OF Estimate cannot. by
rs endless political log rolling. block
further progress
Three distinct duties arc laid upon
tho commission. u must first rehabili-
tate The existing system to provide us
greatest usefulness Then il must pro-
vide fare 10 exempt tho city's SS5c...
100000 Investment in subNays and
rnallv readjust existing rights and obli-
cations of tho railroads SO that the real
value Of tho railroads may be protected
and securities stabilized
Title TO all the franchises and holdings
Is TO be vested in the city and an oper-
ating company Us 90 be formed out
standing securities arc to be exchanged
for new securities and 20 hold down the
fare payment OF interest and dividend.
Is 10 be deferred for any PERIOD Fixed ~
tho commission. In simple words the
Governor points the way out o. tho
financial tangle I'm which tho whole proh-
lem has become involved. and from which
tho city Officials for years have been
unabla 90 cscaTe
Supervision aud control ~ rhe new
system. when The problem has been
solved and the competing lines su have
been lied into cac notwork Of real tram
ST. aro 90 be lodged ~ p board OF con-
troll Here again the city has it's FUN
say. FOR the municipality. likc the opcr-
atlng company will have fun represcn-
tation on that board
Everything done al every step OF the
proceeding Is 20 be made known to the
public through a series OF public hear
ings The bill mentions specifically that