New-York tribune., 1921-10-10

tho crowded centcrs The crowds in
the cars demonstrate the value Of the
> cents 10 The companies as we'll. New
Iork's population increases so fast that
more people must use the cars day by
day. and more nic&els must pour in,
'he rate of increase in rece pts beng
greater than any increase in expenses
necessary to keep UP with il. In New
York 4 nickel IS enough.
And night mere let me say something
that does not seem to interest the
present city administration. We have
GOT TO have mere subways. A scent
fare is TO good unless there is sub
way 20 use it on, and petty political
obstruction Will act build subvays. We
must DEVELOP our vacant land, build
homes on it, and use 1t for all the
people. More homes mean lower rents
but we must have the means Of gong
% and from tAe new homes. We must
have more subways.
Furthermore, we have not even got
five-cent fare N many parts of the
town, especially N tae bo-oughs OF
Brooklyn, Queens and Richmond, Trans
1ers have been taken sway from one
street corner after Smother. until to-
day thousands OF our people pay 10
cents and even Is cents for carfare
WETlc lHeN lCtNel4y DalN 0NS.
Takes Up Transit Report
Now let me take up this transit rc-
port. | would discuss it seriously as
t Is very serious proposition. Be
cause We do not agree with all the
legislation tnat gave US the commits
sion we have no right to dismiss its
labors fippsntly or declare, as the
present administration has declared, an
unslterable opposition to anything,
good or bad coming from the present
body The law is on the books and our
task to-day is to 90 ahead with con
structive bettornsnt of the intolerable
transit conditions under which every
man, woman and child in New York
City now suffers. The Transi. Commits
sion plan IS a step in that direction.
THIS plan is os a preliminary
nature, as indicated by its own words.
IT holds out definite hope, however,
Of several thing which we have
waited for, through many years. The
revocation Of perpetual franchises, the
setting aside Of underlying leases, the
squeezing out Of all the water. the
cancellation Of preferentials, the CO.
ordination Of the different units Of
transportation into harmonious and
serviceable whole, the restoration Of
universal transfers, the taking Of the
eity's investment out of the debt
limit so that we can spend that money
for schools and Fairgrounds and more
suhways, the consummation of mu1ici-
pal ownership Of all the lines-thesc
are things that we have long hoped
for. This transit report starts US on
our way toward the realization of
every one % them. AS the plan un-
folds through the successive steps
toward accomplishment we shall know
hot tor h.
going to get.
"ln making clear my stand on the
traction problem I have endeavored
SO far a. possible, TO refrain from
abuse OF any one. We have suffered
too much in the last four years from
that sort Of thing. When I am Mayor
shall endeavor to cooperate with
all forces and agencies working for
the good OF the city. I shall stimu-
late, to the extent Of my power, the
formulation and execution Of plans to
provide greatly for the city's greater
future. My attitude to the plan of
the Transit Comm ssion. or any other
plan. will net be determined by any
corslderation Of the source Of the plan
I'VE have got to settle this problem
OF local tran snorta ton in New York The
movement Of millions dailv through the
territory centering in Manhattan is an
exact parallel 10 the flow of blood to
and from the heart. The railroads are
the veins and the arteries The citv is
living. growing body. The New York
OF to-day is a young giant clad in the
steel arnior OF It's transportation facili-
ties. The time is limited within which
unless provision is made for continu-
ing expansion of transportation facili-
ties to keep pace with popuation-th
body polite must be crushed 10 death
by It's own growth. Health, wealth, hap
piness, decencv, ordor and the very abil-
lty 20 live are all involved in the con-
dit;ons Under which people who work
must travel to and from their homes.
Can't Postpone Problem
Those elected by the city cannot
postpone consideration of this problem,
nor can they evade their responsibility
ne results Of neglect outlast the guilty.
Mayor Hylan has not helped to solve
this problem He has merely declared
himself in favor Of the five-cent fare,
Yet the only record we have of his
making any constructive effort toward
the adoption OF any unit Of carfare is
the testimony concerning his dicker
with the late Theodore P. Shonts for a
seven-cent fare. VIII le our Mayor has
been taking the public has been walk
ing in many parts Of the city.
Il believe the Transit Commission
has already performed public service.
Far from closing the door to proposals
from other sources. its report has
opened discussion which will not fail
TO engage the best minds and the most
devoted public spirit. We will help the
city most if we take up this discusso
with open minds, free from politics
and free from bias"