New-York tribune., 1921-12-20

created agency which would enable
transit manpulators to extort addi-
tional millions out Of the pockets of
the travelling public
The Mayor recommended the adop-
tion OF constitutional amendment
granting the cities the right to own.
operate and control their public utili-
ties and to purchase or take over by
condemnation existing valuable utili-
ties. lie sald this power should not be
"hamstrung' by the Public Service or
Transit Commission or any other state
agency. The rates for services Of pub
lie utilities should be controlled oy
local conditions, he declared, and the
power TO determine vested in the local
authorities.
Referring to home rule, the Mayor
recommended d constitutional amend
ment which would permit the Legisla-
ture to delegate to cities suitable and
appropriate legislative powers. Under
such power city departments could
he consolidated and economy and eff
ilciency in city government increased,
the Mayor said
Corporation Counsel Guy OF Troy, in
speaking on the fve-cent fare provi-
sions in city franchises, said that many
OF the cities were of the Old idea that
"a contract Is always contract" but
OF late, 1T seemed to be the disposi-
ton of the courts to write into the
agreement between the companies and
the cities many things that would not
have found their way there" lie de-
ciared his belief that a public utility
company was entitled to a reasonable
return upon the value Of its property,
but nothing moro. He said there should
be public sentiment stirred up to
frf to
rights.
Call Made for Freedom
Samuel A. Carson, Mayor of James
town, opened the general discussion
after the speakers had finished. He
declared himself in favor Of home rule
for cities and said that American cities
should be as free as the ancient City
of Rome was. He said that cities should
be free of all red tape in their service
Tor the public good and should "enjoy
the same freedom Of action as any
other corporation"
George r. Lunn Mayor of Schenec-
tady, was strong for home rule
We are going to work together as a
state" said Mr.. Lunn, mot up state
or down state, but as q whole state
Every advantage taken of the great
metropolis of New York is going to
'N-N"'' - ~ O'~A WY III Vic SLdle. no
to the legislators. Back Of them 20 to
the leaders and then go to the people
they'll all listen-and tell them that
our demands are not unreasonable and
that it is not for any group, but for
the whole people"
Just prior to adjournment Of the
conference s. Howard Conen, chief
clerk of the Board Of Elections, off
cially notified the Mayor OF his recent
reelection and presented him with his
certificate Of election. Applause fol-
lowed the Mayors announcement of the
presentation. AS he handed the GER
titcate to his secretary, John T. SIN
mott, the Mayor said:
81 have just been presented with the
certificate of my reelection. The re-
markable thing about the certificate is
that it is signed by John R. voorhis.
ninety y-two-years old, president of the
Board Of Elections. 1t is signed in o
firm hand. just mention this face so
that you gentlemen from up state NAV
know how old people live to be in New
York City"
The visiting mayors and CORPORA
ton counsels were the guests Of Mayor
Hylan at dinner at the Waldorf last
night. The party then went to the
Hippodrome.