The New York herald., 1921-01-25
Governor in Message to
Legislature Proposes New
Commission to Settle
Traction Problem.
SCORES HIGH FINANCE
City's S2OO.OOO.0OOO Share
in Present System Should
Be Made Completely
Self-Supporting.
MUST DIVORCE POLITICS
Executive Sees Magnificent
Opportunity to Put New
YOrk's Transportation
on Solid Foundation.
MUST DIVORCE POLITICS
speoio! Despatch 10 THE NEW YORK HERiLn-
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany, Jan. "a.

speoio, Despatch 10 THE NEW YORK HEsAI.n-
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany. Jan. "a.
Gov Miller sent a special message
TO the Legislature tonight recon-
mending the creation of new Public
Service Commission of three members
for New York city with complete power
ganize the numerous traction routes
in the metropolitan district into one
unified system.
The course prescribed by the Gov
ernor opens the way for higher fares
if it is proved after searching lnvesti-
CATION that the traction lines cannot
be sustained with the existing cent
rate.
Dealing fea-lessly with this whole
complex problem, the Governor de-
clared that New Yorks transit facili-
ties must be lifted out OF politics aud
high finance If the city is to be saved
from the drifting policy which Is
carrying II toward disaster,
unification into one system must
lead eventually. the Governor declares.
10 municipal ownership Of all transit
lines In the city. New York is already
embarked on municipal ownership. he
states. and must carry through the
policy to it's logical finish.
The clty's 5000. 600. 900 already in
vested in subway bonds mus; be made
self-sustaining out Of the cost of the
operation OF those lines the Governor
says. This can mean only one thing,
traction experts in the Legislature
said. for the bonds can be made self
supporting only BY an increase in fare.
Would Free MilIsons of Capital.
II these bonds were released from the
debt limit the city would have s2oo.-
900. 900 OF capital for further transit de-
velopnent, schools or other purposes.
The man who rides in the subway -
paying the bill either directly or in
directly. the Governor points out NJ
present. whether he is a taxpayer or
a rent payer. he is helping pay the in
terest on the $500. 100000 bonds. which
are not self-sustauing.
The Governor would lodge in the
hands Of tn. new Public Service Cor-
mission more sweeping powers than ever
have been given TO any body dealing
with tho city's transit question. All
functions now resting with the Public
Service Commission and the Board OF
Estimate in relation 10 transit would
be consolidated in the commission.
To this commission would be delegated
authority to prescribe temporary rates.
pending investigation 10 determine ex-
actly what fare must be charged to
make lines self supporting. The Cow
ernor says the Legislature should au-
thorize the commission TO prescribe
safeguards for the protection OF the
public, pending rate adjustment lie
urged further that power be vested in
the commission. regardless Of local con-
sents or existing contracts. Essential
changes In the transit law and transit
contracts would have TO be made in
order TO give the commission the power
demanded for Il by the Governor.
The Governor asks that the existing
public service laws be revised and
amended and that subway contracts
Nos. and be revised. These con-
tracts provide five cent fare. and.
.hc Governor says. lie on the threshold
OF any solution OF the problem. lie does
not attempt TO prescribe wherein the
contracts shall be changed.