The New York herald., 1921-01-28
CITY CLUB ASSAILS
MILLER ON TRACTION
Says Idea Without Home Rule
Is Wrong.

After what II characterized as an
exhaustive study" of the transit con-
troll proposals outlined in Gov. Miller
message to the Legislature, the COM
mittee on public service of the City Club
of New York made public yesterday n
report which condemned the Governors
plan as being inadequate and unsuited
to solve the city's transportation prob
lens.
His (the Governors) idea seems to
be unified transportation system ur-
der State control operated on a self
sustaining basis said the report. This
overemphas!zes the fiscal and State reg
ulation aspects of the traction situation.
II does not go to the heart of the prob
lem from the point OF view of nunici-
pal development"
The clubs committee bases its verdict
upon three general findings:
/. The Governors Public Service
Commission idea is based on the
false theory" that the traction
problem is not a local one which
should be under home rule.
Q. The Governors message gives
no assurance that the proposed in
Quiry into transit troubles by the
projected commission would be di-
rected along broad enough lines to
form the basis for an adequate
transit policy.
9. Transit conditions in New York
are such that the Governors pro-
posed flexible fare or service-at-
cost plan would be impossible of
practical application here.
In regard TO the first point the COM
mittee report says The club maintains
that transit is primarily local problem
and that no plan formulated by such n
commission az the Governor proposes
should take effect until after 1t has re-
ceivcd the approval of the Board of
Estimate or elsa OF the voters of the
city at referendum election"
On the second point the report takes
the following view: "No final policy
should he adopted until after a search
ing inquiry into ali the facts, not merely
with respect to the financial needs Of
the transit companies. but more espe-
cially into the whole matter OF the
Intimate bearing of the city's transit
policy upon the whole problem OF muni-
cipal development. Gov. Millers pro-
posed transit commission does not
answer the purpose"
The report lays extensive emphasis
upon the third point. The thirty-tive
companies and receiverships opera ting
I'm New York city, 1t argues. create o
competitive condition that makes a
flexible fare plan impossible II applied
to individual Ines
on the other hand. the complete con-
solidation of all competitive lines. which
would be necessary to make applicable
to all a flexible fare. the committee de-
clared. could not possibly be effected
by voluntary agreement except at pro-
hibitlve cost, for mo group of security
holders would consent to give up the adj
vantages they hold" Obviously. the com
mittee continued, the Governors commits
sion would be in position TO surrender
only public rights. and would. therefore
be unable TO bring about a surrender
OF private rights except by negotiation
and persuasion, which would leave ex'
listing difficulties unremoved.
But even II complete consolidation
were achieved. the report stated. th'
flexible fare scheme would leave out oi
consideration the city's policy as en-
bodied l.: the subway contracts of low
fares as a means Of spreading popula
ton and relieving congestion. "Th'
flexible fare scheme would reverse II. anC
would allow the fares TO go up ana uI
and up TO any po.nt which might b'
necessary to make the transit lines self
sustaining"