The New York herald., 1921-02-13
Governors Purposes Made
Clear in a Way to Show
Benefits to Taxpayers
and General Public.
SUPER-LEASES UNDER BAN
Home Rule Provided, With En-
tire Power of State Ready to
Enforce Reforms That
May Be Decided On. .
Special Despatch to THE New Yonx HmALn.
New York Herald Bureau
Albany Eeh 10

sPeo'o1 De5potch 10 THE NEW YORK HEkALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Albany, Feb. i2.
Gov. Miller's outline of his transit
plan, given in his letter to Gen. Oliver
B. Bridgman Of New York city. has
gone a long way toward clearing up
the situation. Now that the breadth
and scope of the Governors purposes
are better understood. the legislative
leaders believe much Of the opposition
will melt away
About the only subject Of serious
concern remaining appears to be what
political effect the transit proposal
will have In the municipal campaign
in New York next autumn. That is
what is worrying New YorS's leaders
and members of the Legislature. The
| belief is growing here that the Gov
ernor's plan will not be detrimental to
Republican and good government in
terests in New York when he has
| finished.
AS the possibilities OF the Governors
proposals become better understood the
leaders here are confident that the pub
lie will come more and more to realize
that he has taken a courageous posi-
tion-the only one left for him to tako
If the New York city problem Is ever
to be solved.
Public understa nding will mean public
approval OF the Governors policy In tho
opinion OF the leaders here. When tho
public comes to getting results there Is
little fear that the issue viii be robbed
! of It's political potency. even in New
York city.
| In his interview yesterday the Cow
ernor said ne had not changed his po-
sltion on the transit situation since ho
laid his message before the Legislature.
fIe said he wondered whether what was
attributed as change In his position
might not como from a better UNDER
| standing OF his views.
Governors Grasp In Realized.
There has been misunderstanding OF
the Governors policy from the start.
Probably this has not been corrected
entirely by the Bridgman letter OF yes
tcrday. But gradually Mr.. Millers
grasp OF the situation Is being realized.
Those who do comprehend what II
means for the future of New York city
have not the slightest fear that as tho
weeks 30 by and the details are un-
folded the metropolis Is going to stand
up and applaud the Governor for his
action.
Much OF the misunderstanding has
resulted from the deliberate misrepre-
sentation OF the policy as given the
public by the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
combination.
Some of those who were deceived by
tho eight cent fare" cry have since DIS
covered they were up n tree. and In the
last few days have been trying TO find
way to climb down gracefully and with
out hurting themselves. They have been
trying hard 20 make Il appear that the
Governor was reversing his policy in
Difference TO public opinion, thereby maxi
ing II possible for those who started out
against him 70 swing In line for his sup
port.
But the Governors letter makes Il
strikngly clear he has not reversed his
position. His declarations on the essen
tiais Of the progra arc precisely tho
came as his recommendations TO the
Legislature
The charge made daily for weeks by
the Tammany- -Hyian propa gandists that
tho Govcrnorswas playing into the hands
OF the corporations Is made ridiculous by
the Governors statement in tho Bridge
man letter that ell existing Interborouyh
leases must be cancelled as a prclinl-
nary basis for negotiations. all prcfercn-
tials to mponies eliminated and all
valuations made upon a basis of normal
This means. for example. that such
lease as that between the Interborough
end Manhattan elevated railroad. on
which the lnterborouEh is now compelled
TO make seven per cent. preferential
payment would be Topped OFF with ono
blow. All the other contracts between
companies. given 20 safeguard special in
forests would have 20 go.
city Not Robbed of Home Rule.
The Governors answer 70 the cry tha.
the city Is being robbed Of home rule end
the municipal administration treated
shamefuly Is simple and clear. The
commissioners will be New York city
men. he ststes. and he never considered
they would not be- The city will be repre-.
sonted in oil nogotiat tons and on all
boards
what the Governor does insist must
be done is that the commission shall
possess the full and complete power o;
the state % deal with the question.
Nothing can be accomplished. he main
tains. II the commission Is compelled to
stop IN tho midst OF its NEGOTIATIONS and
await another session OF the Legislature
to determine who has power to do this
or that and where the powers of the city
and state begin and end.
when the commission takes Office Il
will be the most powerful body ever
authorized by state Government to