The New York herald., 1921-02-04
LA GUARDIA In JOINT
ATTACK WITH HYLAN
Stand Together in Cooper
Union in Condemning Mil
Ter Transit Plan.
MAYORS SPEECH READ
Rosenblatt Says il Governor
Doesn't Recant He Should
BE Impeached.

Gov. Millers proposed legislation to
solve the financial difficulties OF the
transit companies of the city was de-
nounced last night by Mayor Hylan and
r. II. La Cuardia, President of the Board
of Aldermen, from the same platform in
Cooper Union. Tho Mayor suffered from
a hoarse throat, and his speech. when
was plea for municipal buses. was read
by Francis p. Bent Mr.. La Guardla
urged the 1000 persons In the audi
torlum to appeal to their representatives
in Albany saying that IF they win put
up the right kind of fight we VIII
win."
Bernard A. Rosenblatt, president OF
the American Zionist Commonwealth
acted as chairman of the meeting, ana
in his opening address predicted that II
Gov. Miller insisted on the passage OF
the proposed traction legislation every
Assemblyinan and Senator will go PACK
to Albany next year pledged to demand
his impea chment."
Governors were impeached for less
than what Gov. Miller proposes to do,
he said, "and a President of the United
States was impeached for less. Unfor-
tunately, we cannot exercise the right
certain Western States have TO recall
Governor. If Miller had told NJ Noven-
Der / what he stood for AL Smith now
would be in the Governors chair
HyInn's speech Read.
Mayor Hylan was introduced as the
defender of the five cent fare and as
"a man whom we mean to reelect. me
Mayor walked to the front of the plat
form amid cheers and an outburst OF the
o.t,sn NJ
tried hard to make himself heard and
falling. took a seat while Mr.. Bent read
his speech.
The Mayor defended the Board of
Estimates handling of the traction prob
lem, saying that in order to determine
whether an increased fare was neces-
sary. the board had made an investiga-
ton of the company's business methods
and had discovered that the main diff
Guilty was lack of foresight on their part.
He said "it is fact the surface. lines
operated in this city are obsolete and
are not making money" but declared
they could not be operated profitably
even on "A fifteen cent fare.
THE city, however. has no financial
interest in these lines. It will. therefore,
not be party to any settlement of the
traction problem which provides for the
unloading OF the dilapidated equipment
of these lines upon the people. This an
tiquated and cumbersome system of
transportation must give way 10 modern
methods of transportation such as sub
ways and efficient motor buses as feed
ers" .' rtt-
Mr.. Hylan said that while ii was not
the city's business to make money out
of bus operation practical expert
ence had demonstrated that the city
will earn a substantial profit out of
bus operation" This profit. he said.
had been estimated as s137 .53s year
on the operation of 100 buses, at which
ratio 1000 buses would earn $1,3,5.320.
should Return Lines.
1.-THE municipal bus service could be
supplemented by municipal operation of
the subways at five cent fare" his
speech continued. 'Tf the Interborough
and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit cannot
operate the subways on a nickel fare
and make a profit they should turn
these lines back to the city az the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment
has rcuested them to do. The city Is
prepared to operate the subway lines at
q five cent fare and apply to municipal
purposes the profits which at present 20
Ito the Interborough and the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit, and Is used TO carry
overcapitalized, lines"
Among the municipal purposes" the
profits could be used for Mr.. Hylan
mentioned the building of schools and
the general reduction of taxes.
Mr. La Guardia said the transit aues-
ton was one on which every public
official should declare himself. ''I have
certainly declared myself" he said, land
I must stand or fall on my position"
The Aldermanic President contended
that the sixty-two Assemblymen and
twenty-five Senators representing the
city in Albany were sufficient to beat
Gov. Miller's proposals IL they would
"show a solid front"
Other speakers were Borough Presi-
dent Connolly. John p. 0'Brien. Corpo-
ration Counsel; Il. II. O'Laughlin and
Mrs. John Jerome Rooney.