The New York herald., 1921-01-30
New Workers i'm Conference
With KOenig Discuss Gov.
Miller's Message on
Transit Reform.
NOT A POLITICAL GAME
Snap Judgment Deprecated
on Plans to Put City's
Traction System on a
Business Basis.
APPROVED BY HARKNESS
Author Of Dual Contract for
Subways Says Programme
Will Correct Underlying
Faults of Traction.
BY HARDNESS

F; Republican leaders and members Of
the Legislature from New York city
do not intend to permit Democrats
politicians or demagogues to badger
them into taking hasty action on the
proposals for a solution of the transit
problem in this city as set forth by
Gov. Miller in his message.
Their desire is to stand behind Gov.
Millers programme. and SO far as the
traction proposal is concerned they
will use their influence to have the
bills drawn in such a way as to meet
some objections that have been raised
by the opposition.
! This decision was reached at a meet
ing of the Republican Senators and
Assemblymen from New York county
with Samuel S. Koenig, the leader, at
headquarters yesterday afternoon.
There was no meeting In Brooklyn,
but the leaders there said their at
dtude was similar to that in New York
county. Three OF the Senator's ex-
pressed themselves as against an in
creased fare.
| Gov. Miller is endeavoring to an
Ply craftsmanship instead Of politics
by reaching down and correcting tho
underlying difficulties" declared Le
Roy T. Hardness, who, as counsel.
drafted the dual subway contracts for
the Public Service Commission, and is
considered one of the best informed
traction experts in the city.
Trying TO Make Political Issue,
Following the lead of Tammany Hall.
john H. McCooey. Democratic leader in
BROOKLYN. mas called his executive COM
mittee and members of the Legislature
TO meet at II o'clock tomorrow morn
Ing. They will leave nothing un,ione TO
make political capital out OF Gov. Mil
ler's message. The legislators later will
go to the meeting OF Democratic law
makers, arranged by Senator James ].
Walker for noon at the City Hail. He
has Invited Republican members OF the
Legislature to attend. but the chances
are that none will appear
1t was reported that some Of the
Democratic leaders in Brooklyn had ex-
pressed themselves privately in favor
OF Gov. Mlller's proposal. but at the
same time chucked at the way they
intended to use It for political effect
against the Republicans
The public forum furnished by tho
League for Political Education will
meet in the Town Hall. in West Forty
third street, tomorrow night for dis
cussion OF Gov. Miller's transit pro-
gramme. The general public is invited.
Job f. Hedges and Oliver G. Senple Will
support the affirmative side of the
question. while II. II. Curran. Borosgh
President OF Manhattan. and another
speaker will argue for greater meas
ure OF home rule. II is announced that
every man, woman and child who at
tends the gathering will be allowed to
express his views on the present transit
situation here"
In line with their policy the New
York county Legislators refused to dis
cuss their meeting or indicate the line
of argument that went on for more
than two hours. An innocuous state
ment was issued saying II was one OF
the regular weekly meetings TO discuss
matters pending in the LEGISLATURE.
Among the matters was the tran
sit situation In New York city"
1T was the unanimous opinion Of
those present" tho statement read,
that tho most careful consideration
and study be given to those matters
particularly affecting the city OF New
York The members viii meet next
Saturday afternoon"
Transit Il Discussed Freely.
with the legislators were their As-
sembly district leaders and former sena-
tor Albert ottlnger, chairman OF ,hs
committee on state legislation Of tho
county committee. and Courtlandt Nicoll.
chairman OF the committee on city af-
fairs OF the National Republican Club.
II Is understood the lawmakers and
leaders expressed themselves freely in
regard to the sentiment IN their districts
and discussed ways in which the bills TO
carry out Gov. Millers message could
be framed so az TO do away with the
protests that have been made against
some OF his proposals.
The Legislators were advised not to
commit themselves until the bills had
been put in fsal shape. when they could
talk in,elligently on the subject. 1t was
agreed 90 use the influence OF the united
delegation from New York city toward
obtaining certain notifications or inter-
pretations OF the programme.
"A message is not a BILL" said one of
the leaders "Nor is snap Judgment ON
message true measure Of what people
will really think OF Il after they havo
had chance 10 study it. The Governor
aireadv has elacdated his ideas by sup
Elemental statements since his message
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ArersrA-CHARrEsr