New-York tribune., 1921-04-01
Miller Asks No
Hagglingg With
Transit Board
Fare Question Depends ON
Consent of Companies to
Abide by Ruling of the
Commission. He Says
Would Stop Obstruction
Tells Brooklyn Man Prob
lem Will Be Met in
Just and Fair Manner

Ter outlined to-day what he expects the
rev transit commission to do with the
New York City transit situation. The
question of fare, the Governor said,
could not be determined until set
tlement had been reached with the
companies, or at least not before the
transit lines filed their consents with
tho commission to agree to whatever
plan may be determined upon.
The Governor said that the commits
sion, in whose selection he would be
guided solely by fitness. would ap-
preach the problem before it with reso-
,ution, courage and a determination to
90 exact justice.
"There must be no haggling over
terms said the Governor. "The COM
mission must decide what is just and
fair and then insist upon that-no
more; no less"
Replies to Crawford
Thee Governors outline OF what he
expects the transit commission to do
was embodied in reply to a letter
from Frederick L. Crawford, chairman
of the transit committee of the Brook
lyn Chamber of Commerce. Mr.. Gram
ford's letter to the Governor read in
part:
we believe that apprehension in the
minds of the public revolves about
three points: Cd The personnel Of
the commission which it is proposed to
create; (2) The possibility of an in
crease in the present rate Of fare; (3)
The valuation of the property of the
railway companies"
The Governor in his letter said:
II am in complete accord with the
views expressed in your letter of March
l6 with respect to the method of ham
ding the transit problem in the City
of New York.
"The basic principle of the bill is
the regulatory powers of the com
panies which will make it possible to
rehabllitate existing facilities and to
put the transit system of the city on
sound and permanent basis, So as to
give the public efficient and economical
service and provide for extensions
which are imperatively needed.
Those regulatory powers have never
been delegated to or exercised by the
along by state body.
"The new act simply prevents mere
obstruction. 1t seeks, as far as pos
sible, to eliminate the opportunity to
play politics with q great business,
economic and social problem. Surely
the need of doing that must be patent.
at merely centers respons bility
where the regulatory power has been
exercised all along.
Only Fitness Considered
"All the bill does, which is said
to be so radical, is to prevent obstruc-
ton to the efficient exercise of those
purposes threaten to continue their
obstructive tactics, say where they
would have centered authority, how
they would attempt to remedy condi-
tions daily becoming more intolerable.
II can assure you that nothing but
fitness will be considered in the selec-
ton of the mmssion.
~ trust that only such properties
will be included in any plan of reor-
ganization as are and will continue to
be needed in the public service and that
all properties will be valued at their
rea! worth for such service. No rule
could safely be prescribed by statute.
The cost of reproduction rule would
undoubtedly be unjust to the public
at the present time. The statute ex-
cludes franchise and going values
There is no injustice in that, because
bankrupt properties can hardly possess
such values. The question is what
arc these properties fairly worth in
their present condition for the purpose
Of reorganization and rehabilitation
1t will not require as much time to de-
eide that question as it would to GO
into the last detail, which is ordinarily
hC
question is one to be decided upon
business principles by men Of judg-
'ment.
"The consideration to security hold
ers for the concessions required Of
them Will be security with an as
sured fair return in place of one with
uncertain or no return. Necessarily
therefore, the rate of fare will be al
important element of any settlement
and cannot be determined in advance
thereof, certainly not in advance Of
the deposit by the companies of the
necessary consents to clothe the com
mission with ample power to put into
effect whatever plan may be deter
mined upon.
Wants No Haggling
"The task before the commission i.
not easy l feel confident that it car
be done if approached with resolution
courage and the determination to ds
exact justice. There must be no such
haggling over terms as has attended
prior negotiations. The commission
first must decide what is just and fai
and then insist upon that, no more, ne
less"
The Governor to-day declined to dis
cuss the names Of the men he is con
sidering for the commission.
-------------s-------------
Legislature Votes to Reduce
City's Aldermanic Districts