New-York tribune., 1921-03-08
koenig Has 5
Amendments to
Traction Bill
Republican County Com
mittee Head Seeks to
Defer the Adoption of
an Increased Fare Here
Goes to Albany To-day
Citizens Union Also Pro-
poses Nine Changes in
the Governors Measure

Samuel S. Koenig, president of the
New York Republican County Commit
tee, said last night that he would go to
Albany to-day with five proposed
amendments to the traction reorganiza.
tion measure favored by the Governor
Chairman Koenig was Informed yes.
terday that Governor ,Millers counsel.
ors have about 100 amendments to the
Knight-Adler bill ready for introduc-
tion, and that practically all of them
are designed to put "teeth" into the
bill. Mr.. Koenig's amendments are de-
signed to defer adoption of an in
creased fare, and if any increase Is
effected the county chairman wants il
only after it becomes apparent that il
cannot be avoided. Briefly, his amend
mcnts provide:
No increase in fare until after the
contracts are actually in operation.
Clarity the paragraph in the Knight
Adler bill with reference to the phys
ical valuation of the properties to be
taken over, and carry a stipulation
tHAt SpeCIdi 1IduCHlSo ana SOOu VIII
factors shall not figure in the none
tary appraisement.
Make Court Arbitrator
Make the Appellate Division arbi-
TRAITOR in disputes between the pro-
posed new commission and the Board
Of Estimate.
If any company in interest fails to
accept the plan finally offered to it
hyy< no oh
thereafter be without power to raise
it's fare.
No fare increase to become So
called vested right.
Senator Duggan and Assemblyman
Ullman are likely to have charge OF
the amendments as above outlined.
After making battle for what they
believe the new traction bill should
provide, the disposition of the New
York legislators, with half dozen ex-
ceptions, is to accept the measure as
it comes from the hands of the Gov
ernor after signature and help to make
the law success.
The Citizens Union, through its sec
retary, Walter Tallmadge Arndt, yes
terday made announcement of nine
amendments to Governor Miller's trac-
ton bill, which have been proposed by
the organization.
Because of the fact that a large
number of amendments have been sug-
gested from various sources, the Citi-
zens' Union has asked that further
public hearing be held on the bill be-
tore 1t is presented for final passage.
Nine Proposed Amendments
In the nine proposed amendments
the Citizens Union recommends the
inclusion of provision expressly linn
iting the term for which franchises, or
rating contracts, may be granted
the inclusion of provision precluding
the power to authorize an increased
fare except as part of an executed con-
tract made to carry out the plan de-
termined upon; the inclusion of q
provision requiring the consent of the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment
to any proposed plan of readjustm ent
under Article g.; the elimination of the
mandatory provision by which the plan
of readjustment must provide for such
return to the city from operating
revenues so as to exempt it's invest
ment in the subways in computing its
borrowing capacity; the elimination of
the provisions requiring the commits
sion in fixing rates to give due regard
to agreed provisions for services and
compensation.
The amendments further recommend
an increase in the compensation to be
paid the members of the Public Service
Commission and tho transit commits
sion from $4,000 to $4,000 year; the
inclusion of provision by which at
least two members of the Public Serv-
ice Commission shall be residents OF
this city, the modification of the pro-
visions as to valuation both for pur-
poses of rate-making and of acquisi-
tion and the elimination of the pro
visions for substituting the transit
commission for the local authorities as
the franchise granting power in respect
to street railways and omn ihnS liraa