New-York tribune., 1921-03-05
Senator Duggan
Turns Against
Traction Bill
Republican Member of the
Public Service Commit
tee Calls the Governors
Plan Unconstitutional
Long Litigation Is Seen
Justice Ford Says Courts
Will Require Years to
Decide Upon Measure

Senator WHHaW buggan, ,,epub-
lican member OF the Senate Public
Service Committee. which is consider
ing the knight-Alder traction bill. de-
signed to carry out Governor Miller's
solution Of the city's transportation
problems. announced yesterday that
he would oppose the measure
Senator puggan said he was con-
vinced that the measure will be de-
clared unconstitutional, that it will
result III three years OF litigation "a
that in the mean time the transit
lines will profit s2l0,0o0.o0o if fares
sre increased to 8 cents, or $780,
100000 If they are increased to 10
cents.
II shall offer an amendment D
viding that the excess in fares. if
granted by the Governors commission.
shall be impoGnded until the court de-
eide On the case so that the public
NY have 8 chance to recover the ex-
cess said Senator Duggan. But
even with MY amendment l will oppose
the bill. I am confident that the trac-
ton companies themselves are csn-
vinced that the measure is unconstitu-
tional. but they are eager to increase
fares while any litigation is pending.'
Justice Ford's View
Justice John Ford, Of the Sureme
Court, said yesterday he was convinced
that # the Miller measure is passed
the courts VIII take years to decide
upon It.
The Board Of Estimate yesterday re-
ceived bulky report from Transit Con
struction Commissioner John II. De
laney on the prices paid for labor and
materials for the construction Of the
city-owned rapid transit lines, from
the beginning Of the work on the dual
subway system until January ! Of the
present year. The report OF these
costs gives in detail the bids sub
mlttec Tor the construction Of the sub
way and elevated sections OF the en-
larged rapid transit system.
The report covers lSO pages. to-
gether with charts showing the iuctua-
tons in prices ot skilled and unskilled
labor. steel, IRON. rails. cement, gravel,
sand, brick. tile. pipe, etc. from 1913
10 1920. TIE price paid per diem for
common labor ranged from 81 in 1918
20 Sl60 in 1915 and then upward to
s4-25 in 1920.
Tae daily ~age paid to steel erectors
ranged from s. in 1918. 1914 and 1915,
10 S. IN 1920. The price paid for op-
perators OF steel pneumatic drills
ranged from S3.75 in 1915, 1914 and
1915. 10 ST a day last year.
Accord = m &c or tow =
bids submitted, the cost to the city
tor earth excavation and subway con-
structlon ranged from s3.25 a cubic
yard IN 1915, TO s6.25 in 1920 The cost
ior concrSe construction ranged from
- a cable yard in the early part of
lsl+ TO Sl1.50 in 1920
Realty Mems Position
During the course Of rapid transit
construction work The market quota
tens on common brick ranged from
Sd.s5 thousand in lslSand 1913, down
10 s. al the end of 1915, and to S25
thousand in July, 1920. Sand ranged
from 30 cents q cubic yard in 1872 to
sl.50 n 1890. Cement ranged from -
cents barrel IN July. 1912, TO s4.10 in
November. 1920.
In letter 10 the Senate Public Serv-
zee Committee and the Assembly Ju-
dietary Committee. Stewart Browne,
president OF the United Real Estate
Owners Association, yesterday de-
clared the organization was in favor
Of one privately owned operating cor
poration for all transit lines in the city,
with one fare and free transfers over
all lines
He SAID that the organization was
opposed 10 any law which will force
the city OF New York to buy public
utilities at any price. large, or small,
against the viii OF its elected officials,
unless referendum vote Of its citi-
zens says the city shall do So"