New-York tribune., 1921-10-01
The Traction Report

commission II is we'll 10 pause 10 re-
joice over the quietus it gives to two
bogeys Messrs. Hearst and Hylan
have asked the public to fear.
The five-cent fare, SO far as it now
exists, is to continue. No revision is
to be considered until the plan has
been in effect for year. Then the
service will be at actual cost, and
every traveller will thus discover
when he puts his hand in his pocket
how efficient is the city government.
There will be no dividends on stock,
for there will be no stock; no profits,
for fares will automatically come
down as income goes up.
The myth that Governor Miller
was head of q conspiracy to hand
New York over to traction pirates is
exploded. Poor Hylan finds on his
hands an issue that has gone sour
1t would not disturb him to recon-
mend it as still sweet, but not even
he is stupid enough to think he could
get his words believed.
If the fare myth has had punct-
ure, its home-rule companion has
suffered blowout. We have the Mil
Ter commission actually urging as
part of its scheme that three men,
bers Of the board of control which
is to be trustee for the public shall
be named by the Mayor, with the
other members indirectly responsive
to him or to other public agencies.
The reason for the states interven-
ton was the city administration
lamentable refusal, despite plain
emergency, to exercise its home rule
powers. 1t blindly obstructed. The
state was compelled to act. Buses
were the Mayors only remedy,
though he knew that time forbade
their use in long-dlstance trans
portation, and though he also knew
that if they covered more than re-
'tliSeSOt d4Sdo lHcJ NotuO lAoC NC up
Grated on five-cent fare. AS to
the grandstand Hylan offer to take
over the subways, this, Of course,
was silly, for the offer carefully
avoided mention Of any inclusion of
the surface and elevated systems,
which carry millions.
The air being thus cleared of SIAN
derous misrepresentation dema-
gogically put in circulation to take
public attention from the grim and
costly jocosities of Hylanism, what
in other respects is to be said of the
report? It may be said justly that
it embodies the results of the most
thorough attempt yet made to view
the city's traction problem in it's
grand perspective. There is due
consideration Of the problems many
phases; Of the social side, which de-
mands that great city's transpor-
tation be more than a business and
be such as TO relieve congestion and
make lives happier; Of the economic
conditions which now make trans
portation as much a necessity as is
air or water; Of the many legal and
financial obstacles that complicate
settlement These things and others
appear in the commissions conclu-
sion and raise hopes that body that
sees 50 clearly at first view will be
equally intelligent when it deals with
difficult practical details.
The valuation OF the property
whose ownership is to pass TO the
city viii, Of course, develop many
striking points. But in valuation
negotiations the city is in a strong
position. When the dual contracts
we're signed the city, as events have
shaped themselves, made fortunate
bargain. It can dictate terms, for
should the present owners refuse Of
fers made 10 them their only alter
EHLtFc Is " sLfHTElS Oh ufHHT un-
profitable contracts. The commission
has great power and can do many
things as it pleaSes. But this inc
poses the obligation not TO abuse the
power and to deal Justly and fairl.-.
Sone will doubtless be alarmed by
the cornnixsion's open advocacy Of
municipal ownership. But with re-
spect 10 the snbways there is already
feanicipal ownership, and ii should
be specially noted that municipal
operation il not recommended. Great
10 the difference between municipal
ownership and municipal operation,
and dm1btinss the operation viii be
arranged for en- some contract basis.
Cf the benefits " unified, single
fare transportation it is scarcely
necegsary to speak. Besides diffus-
ing population it will dlffuae and at