New-York tribune., 1921-03-10
Drastic Amendments Are
Added by Committees
Despite a Stiff Protest
From Local Legislators
Board Can Force
City to Run Lines
Support of the Measure
Dwindles; Report Only
% Votes in Senate;
Backers Are Fearful
Fron, q staf Correspondent

ALBANY, March @ The Knight
Adler bill, reoyganizing the Public
Service Commissions and creating a
transit commission in New York City,
was reported out of the Senate Com
mittee on Public Service and the As
sembly Committee on Judiciary to-day
in a revised and more drastic form
All the New York City men on both
committees, with the exception of As
semblyman Theodore Stitt, of Brooklyn,
voted against the bills in committee.
In the Senate Public Service Committee
the lone New York City Republican,
Senator William Duggan, made des-
perate fight against the bill in its pres
ent form and sought to have the latest
amendments stricken from it, but with
cut success.
In the Assembly committee Assem-
blyman Sol Ullman, of New York, a
Republican who represents the home
district OF Samuel S. Koenig, the Re-
publican county president, made an
the bills amended so that the city would
have at least an equal chance with the
transit companies.
Mora power than was ever irtimated
BY Governor Miller. who presided over
the drafting of the measure. is given
The transit commission by the bill as
reported out. The commission is given
power under q new amendment to in
crease fares in New York City the
moment it is appointed by the Gov
ernor. Opponents OF the bill declare
tEis Vlil mean an Scent fare.
Duggan Charges "Jokers'
Senator Duggan charged that the
bill was drawn apparently in the in
ferests Of the traction companies, and
characterizes the principal amendments
70 the bill as jokers in the interests
OF the streetcar lines and other public
utilit7 corporations. and that in it's
present form it takes away the last
vestige Of home rule from the cities.
The amendments to the bill also
place the upstate cities of the state
In virtually the same condition as New
York City with respect to transit
facilities.
The most criticized feature of the
b!!, which permits the transit COM
mission to force the city to take over
any lines it sees fit, even though the
city should unanimously vote against
such proposition, is retained.
The power TO increase rates of gas
companies, electric light, telephone
and other public utilities also is re-
tanned
:. With respect to gas and electric
Nsht companies, the bill is made even
more drastic, so far as the consumer is
considered, for ii permits the fixing of
sAding scale Of rates determinable
upon the amount of gas or electricity
USED and the time at which it is used.
Report Only % Votes in Senate
lhere Is constantly repeated re-
port mere that the bill has but twenty
lnree votes IN the Senate-three less
si man the required number to pass it.
-lhree weeks ago the bill was credited
WIN having the support Of at least
inlrty Senators. Legislators who have
oeeh tor the bill and who are now op-
posed to 1t predict the measure will be
oeieated. Counsel for some of the
s.ahslt companies who are in Albany
naVchlng the progress Of the bill are
iepoited to be fearful Of its passage.
., lnls tear is not admittedly shared by
ss sne legislative leaders, who express con-
haehce that the bill Will go through
ooen houses by comfortable majorities.
h;n senator John knight, sponsor for the
,h.. pan IN the upper house, said tonight
lna' the bill would be advanced to the
"tuef OF tnal passage next week. Sen
g'Or might and Assemblyman Simon
~. ~ auier' after the bill was reported
wv W.. to-day, issued the following state
'''et' a. explaining the amendments:
great rl,, I.
oeen made IN the bill to correct errors
IN printing, to clarity certain clauses
""u 10 make uniform throughout the
Continued on paaa faurl