New-York tribune., 1921-01-25
3 Headed Commission
With Power to Revise
Transit Tariffs Recon-.
mended for New York
Upstate Service
Board to Remain
Tells Legislature 1t Has
Police Power 10 Force
Traffic Regulation Here
From, a ytoo Correspondents

From stag Correspondents
ALBANY. Jan. 24.---IM a special
message to the Legislature tonight,
Governor Miller reviewed the trans
portation muddle III New York City
and made TWO main reconmenda-
tons toward solution.
First-A municipally owned and
unified system with single fare or
all the subways, elevated and street
car lines in New York City; and,
Second-The creation OF a public
service commission of three members
with sweeping powers, including the
power of revision OF the five-cent
fare contract and other agreements
between the city and the traction
companies, and the right to fix tenn
porary rates OF fare pending the de-
terminal ton of the roads appeal for
higher fares.
Five-Headed Commission
The Governor also recommended an
entire revision Of the Public Service
Commissions act, giving the upstate
commission complete jurisdiction over
all public utilities in the state, except
ing the rapid transit lines in New
York City. At present all public utili-
ties IN the greater city, with the ex-
ception OF the telephone and telegraph
companies, are under the control and
regulation of the local commission.
With respect to the reorgaaized up-
state commission, which would have
complete control over al public utili-
ties iii the state with the exception of
New ork City's transportation lines.
the Governor suggested that it nigh.
be well to continue it as a e-headed
commission. He said shat it should
be raised to the dignity of a court end
tho members Of the commission.
New York City Republicans in the
Legislature declared that they would
take up the Governors message at to-
morrow's meeting OF the New Yorl,
City members. While most of them
refrained from commenting on it, sew
eral indicated they would oppose any
legislation which meant or might mean
increased fares.
At the outset Of his message the
Governor declared that the welfare
of the entire state is involved in the
right solution Of New York City's
transportation problem. and that the
regusa ton Of il Is within the police
power of the state. He also said thai
the subject must be approached with
the determination that the public shall
not be forced to pay earnings upon
Watered securities or to redeem them.
Demands Maximum Service
The ultimate solution of the prob
iem," said the Governor, must be max
mum service with minimum cost fo-
the benefit Of the users of the public
transportation facilities"
She Governors proposal, ii carried
out N ITS entirety, will mean the end
OF the present system of abandoning
ilnes which IN themselves are not earn
ing money, bur whose continuance is
necessary TO the welfare Of the com
munity.
Discussing the proposed revision Of
the contracts between the street car
n ilnes and the city. the Governor said
IN effect. that there must be give
and take. He dwelt especially upor
the long-term leases held by the com
panles and the preferential payments
IN the subway contracts, characteriz-
ing them as unfair to the city.
Answering the objections, which he
expected would be made on the ground
that his proposal was violative Of the
principle Of home rule, the Governor
said:
There is a good deal of loose talk
about home rule in connection with
this subject. The. problem is not
local problem. 1t is state wide in i'm
portance and can be solved only BY
the exercise of the police power, which
resides in the Legislature"
No Risk of Private Capital
The Governor observed that the new
construction and extension planned to
relieve the present crippled service will
cost $550,000, 600, including equipment.
Under present conditions private capi-
tai, he adds, will not be risked in the
enterprise.
The successful completion Of the
plans are essential to the future devei-
opment of the city and to the relief OF
congestion with its manifold problems
Of housing and the ike.
The transportation problem, the Gov
ernor reminds the Legislature, has
background of crooked iinancing, which.
subjects ii to popular distrust afYSs
prejudice, easily reused By the wiles
Of the demagogue.
THE time has come 20 protect il
from the SINISTER designs of selfish
financiers and politicians" said the
Governor. ut will not be difficult 60
eliminate the banefui influence of the
former"
Transit Acts Outlined
Governor Miller's message foIlows:
ITO the Legislature: l invite youf
prompt consideration of needed
changes in the law for the resuIatiSn
Of public utilities. The most urrent
condition is that presented by the
transit situation in the City of New
York.
"ln my view. sufficient facts are
known to enable the Legislature to de-
termine what action it ought to take.
Indeed, these facts are matters OF com
mon knowledge. shall endeavor 70
state them.
"A brief outline Of the acts undcx
which the present rapid transit lines
were constructed may be helpful.
by Chapter '62 Of the bews of 1891
the rapid transit act Of 1891 WA