New-York tribune., 1921-03-23
II New York City Men,
bers Vote Aye; Miller to
Sign Next Week and
Appoint a Commission
Notification Fight
In Court to Follow
Carroll Charges Trading
of Votes to Buy White
washing Hylan Regime
From a Staf Correspoadent

From Staff CORRESPONDENT
ALBANY, March 22.-The AS.
sembly tonight passed the knight
Adler public utilities bill by a vote
Of 81 to 56. Fourteen New York CITY
men voted for the measure, including
the ten faithful followers of Jacob
A. Livingston, the Kings County
leader.
The bill will be on Governor Mil
ler's desk tomorrow, the Senate
having passed it last week. He will
give hearing en- it in the .execu-
tive chamber next Tuesday at noon
and will sign it before the end Of
next week, when the legal battle to
nullify the measure will be insti-
tuted.
The Governor will send in the
names Of the three New York CITY
men who will comprise the transit
commission to the Senate week from
Monday night. The same night he
will name the five men who will ad-
minister the statewide public service
commission, with complete control
over all public utilities in the CON-
monwealth, excepting the New York
Clyt traction lines, which will be un-
der the jurisdiction of the transit
commission.
In Effect Soon
There will be no delay in confirm
ing the appointments, and within a
fortnight both commissions will be
functioning. Before spring is a
month old New York City will know
what is in store for it in the shape
OF increased fares, as under the
sweeping provisions Of the bill the
transit commission is empowered to
increase fares at once.
The bill was passed after a seven
hours debate, marked by startling
speeches by some of the Republican
opponents of the measure.
Assemblyman James T. Carroll. Re-
publican, of Brooklyn, repeated on the
floor of the House the report which is
current here that votes were traded for
the traction bill on condition that there
would be a whitewashing of the Hylan
administration.
Mr.. Carroll said that in the office OF
District Attorney Swami lie two indict-
ments against State Comptroller James
a. Wendell and his predecessor, Eugene
M. Travis, of Brooklyn, who was the
candidate of the Livingston machine
Tor Governor until the friends of
United States Senator William Meal
der started criminal prosecution of
Mr.. Travis. and Mr.. Wendell then
Deputy Comptroller.
Charges Deal to Save Two
Mr. Carroll said it was rumored that
1t was in the hope of saving these two
men from further prosecution thai
some of the Brooklyn votes for the
traction bill were delivered.
During the debate numerous speak
ers charged that had it not been for
the whipping of members into line bv
party leaders the bill would have beer
defeated, as was a similar bill last
year and the year before
Assemblyman George N. Jesse. OF
Manhattan, who made the most vicious
attack on the bill, declared, as did
others, that the enactment Of the bill
would mean temporary setback for
the Republican party in this STATE, but
that it would return to power under
new leadership which would be repre-
sentative of the rank and file of the
organization.
sponsored the bill in the Assembly. made
a fervent plea for the bill. He urged
his Republican colleagues to support
the Governor in his Courageous and
efficient effort" to bring about a soIu-
ton Of the traction problem in greater
New York. He said that the present
division Of authority over transit mat
ters had made it impossible for the
lst District Public Service Commission
or the New York City authorities to
Dring about solution of present transit
conditions in New York. He said it
was essentially problem for the state
TO handle, as the city under its present
with it. Sse'
Fears Conferring Great Power
II know" he said, shat oppone.ta =,
the biH have argued that the state
should give this authority to the city
and not to the proposed transit com
mission. l do not know but that IL
would be possible to give this power
to the city,. but the state doesn't pro
pose to grant any mnnicip pality the
broad authority which is necessary te
meet the present issue. The scope. Of
Jurisdiction needed to take cara Of
this emergency should be lodged only
with body Vhich is under the super
vision of the state government and
subject to its regulations.
Governor Miller, who is the author
of this bill, has made painstaking
study of the transit situation before
deciding on a definite program. 1t Is
the duty II every Republican member
to support the Governor in his
courageous and efficient effort to solve
the transportation problem in New
York"
The majority leaders, reference to
Governor Miller was greeted with an
plsuse from Republican members.
Mr.. Adler then moved for q slow rot,
call on the bill. Every affirmative vote
cast by New York City member WINS
greeted with groans from New yorn