New-York tribune., 1921-01-26
Makes Vigorous Reply
After La Cuardia and
Curran Assail Message
as lnimical TO City
Denies Home Rule
Right Is Abolished
Says Critics Use Loose
Talk, Loose Thinking';
Sees Fare Below 5 Gents
From q star oorrespondent

AAOAN1, Jan. Z0.-GoVernOr
Miller to-day characterized criti-
cisms of his message yesterday on
the New York City traction situa-
ton as 'the product of loose think
ing and loose talking" and said that
legislative attacks on his plan to re-
form the manner of dealing with
New York City's traction problems
exhibited state of mind border
ing on insanity"
The first part of his characteriza-
tion was in reply to >Aldermanic
President La Guardia and Manhat-
tan Borough President Curran, the
two Republican members of the
Board of Estimate of New York
City, who to-day criticised Governor
Miller's message at a hearing before
the Governor. The hearing was
held on an application of the Board
Of Estimate for gubernatorial sup
port of a city-owned and operated
system of bus lines, on which the
fare would be five cents.
Rylan Heads Delegation
Mayor Hylan headed delegation of
New York officials and argued for the
bus system, but avoided attacking the
Governor, with whom he shook hands
cordially, even after the Governor had
intimated that he would not support
any such measure.
IS II have suggested that it be dealt
with as a single problem" said the
Governor. regarding the New York
traffic situation, "and what have
recommended to the Legislature is not
that the state shall assume some power
that it now is not exercising, but that
a tribunal shall have complete power
to deal with the problem. My view is
that the present difficulties are due, in
part at least, to the fact that respon-
sibilty is now divided amony at least
should be but one"
The Governor asserted there was no
Invasion Of home rule contemplated in
his proposed solution of the traction
problem, adding that there was neither
constitutional provision nor statutory
sanction for regulation of public utili-
ties by municipalities, and that, there
fore, no power was being taken from
New York City.
This last was in reply to President
Curran's plea that New York City be
| permitted to deal with the traction
problem; that it was a question Of
home rule, and that to place the power.
as the Governor intends, in a state
body, would be setting the hands of the
clock of municipal progress back sew
enty-lve years. when the Governor ap-
pointed the Mayor.
President Curran contended that the
city had invested $300,000,000 in sub
ways and had become partner in the
| operation of them. The Governor re-
torted that this fact in itself subjected
the city to regulation by the Public
Service Commission, the same as a pri-
vate individual.
Fare Question Incidental
Earlier in the day the Governor, in q
talk with newspaper correspondents.
said that the members Of the Legis-
lature who have declared they will op-
pose his proposal if it means increased
fares exhibited a. state Of mind border
ing on insanity
error, dis only incidental The real
question is one of public service The
solution Of the transit problem tran
| scends the quest on of fares. IF the
people would view the problem in this
light they would soon be paying less
than five cents"
With the Governors views on the
situation thoroughly known and the
sentiments of legislators from the city
on the traction tuation public prop
erty, official Albany anx;ously awaited
the arrival of the New York City off,
cials to hear what they would say on
the subject and what the Governor
would reply.
At o'clock the Mayor, followed by
other members Of the Board of Esti-
mate, entered the executive chamber
A moment later the Governor entered
the room and took his seat.
The Mayor explained that New York
City was compelled to seek legislative
aid because the courts lad restrained
the municipality from operating busses.
Mayor Defends Buses
I'VE feel" continued the Mayor,
"that if the law was made more definite
and certain, specifically giving tho
Board of Estimate he right to pur-
chase and operate its own bus lines,
we would be able to relieve congestion
on our transportation lines. The sub
ways are crowded. The curtailment OF
other lines has added to the conges-
tion. Our investigation by our Super
intendent of Plant and Structures sat-
isfies us that a bus system can be
operated on a five-cent fare.
"Such a bill as we now advocate was
before the Legislature last year 1t
passed the Senate. 1t was defeated in
the Assembly.
"Our study of the situation shows
that it is only question of time when
all the surface lines must give way to
busses. We have no intention of par
alleling existing lines, providing cars
are run in sufficient number to handle
passengers and for a five-cent fare,
Where line fails to provide adequate
service for tive-cent fare we would
like to be enabled to parallel that limo
with municipal busses.
Il "We are NOW runnin~ nnA bus Nna