The New York herald., 1921-10-10
CURRAN URGES COURT
TEST OF TRANSIT ACT,
FIRM FOR 5 CT. FARE
Treats Boards Plan as Pre-.
liminary, but Not Shut
ting Out Other Reme-
dies of Traction Evil.
GIVES FIRST HOPE RAY
Demands Amendment to Re-
turn to City Power Taken
From 1t in Relation
to Rail Contracts.
NEW SUBWAYS BIG NEED
Bias and Politics in Discard in
Building City's Future, Con-
structing Homes and Low
ering Living Cost.
NEW SUBWAYS BIG NEED

Henry II. Curran, Republican CoaH.
zion candidate for Mayor, made pub
lie iast night his first statement on
the traction situation since the plan
Of the transit commission was made
public. He declares that the plan.
as indicated by its own words, is OF
a preliminary nature. but that it
holds out definite hope of several
things for which the city has waited
for many years. He urges, however,
that the validity of the transit law
be tested, and that It be amended
next winter to give back to our
local government the power that it
took away from u.s."
II am for the five cent fare" says
Mr. Curran's statement, Il believe
in it. AS long as I am Mayor I shall
fight for it. know it is enough and
know also what hardship it would
work on the whole city If the unit OF
fare should be increased even one
cent beyond the nickel"
Mr.. Curran's statement gives a
definite promise that when he Ia
Mayor he will endeavor to cooperate
with all the forces and agencies
working for the good of the city.
VIII Avoid Any Prejudice.
The attitude Of Mr.. Curran toward
any traction relief plan, including
the plan of the transit commission.
will not be determined. he says, by
any consideration of the source OF
the plan. His statement In full fol.
lows:
! There is something more than poll
itics in the necessity of trying to rem
edy our local transportation troubles.
We may expect nothing from the
traction companies. They have stead
ily refused to make any proposition
beyond the reiterated demand for an
increased fare. Nor do we get any
help from the present Board of Estl-
mate. Not one unbiased. constructive
suggestion for relief has come from
them, although the Mayor has taken
full political advantage of the citys
suffering.
Whether or not we approve the law
that created the Transit Commission,
the report of that commission Is the
first practical attempt to help that
has yet been made. For that reason.
il for no other. the report should be
seriously and carefully studied.
When l became a member of the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment
nearly two years ago / knew that
proper transit was a vital and press
ing need of the city. and put in a
great many days and nights of hard
study of the whole subject.
For the People to Decide.
Il believed then. and i believe now.
that
Il. The people OF the city as
represented in the Board of Esti-
mate and Apportionment. should
have a final voice in the solution OF
New York's traction problem.
and under no circumstances should
any increase in fare be permitted.
Il have never changed my position
in either OF these two particulars.
am for testing the validity of the tran
SIT law. and for amending II next win.i
ter to give back TO our local govern
ment the power that it took away
from us. Contracts made in good faith
between the city and private traction
companies must not be changed with,
out the city's consent. J
'T am for the Ave cent fare. be-
lieve In II. AS long as | am Mayor 1
shall fight for H. know II Is enough
and I know also what a hardship II
would work on the whole city. in every
one OF the Ave boroughs, n the unit OF
fare should be Increased even one cent
beyond tho nickel.
IL can approach this subject OF car
fare from the point of view OF the trav-
ellinr public because / use the subway.
Il and surface cars. have a first
hand appreciation OF what the crowds
In our cars undergo every day This
congestion gives "A good understanding
OF the value OF the nickel fare In dis
tributing population away from tho
crowded centres. The crowds In tina
cars demonstrate the value OF the Ave
cents to the companies as well.
New York's population incrcases so
fast that more people must use the cars
day by day. and more niclScls must pour
in. the rate OF Increase in receipts be-
ing greater than any increase IL .x-
penses necessary To- keep ur with IL.
In New York a nickel is enough.
"And right here let me say som ihing
that does not seem to interest .he proc
ent city administration We nave not
to have more subways a i've cent fare
Is no good unless there Is a subway 10