The New York herald., 1922-01-27
State Democratic Leader
May Also Oppose Hylan-
Hearst Alliance.
ALBANY BATTLE TUESDAY
Port Authority Challenges Es-
innate Board, Spurning In
vitation to Confer.

The Board of Estimates public hear
Ing yesterday upon the Port Author
i,y's plan for the development of the
port disclosed at least one thing that
the Tammsny board had not counted
on, which was that the leader of the
fight against the Tammany plan will
be none other than former Gov. Alfred
T.. Smith,
That fact was not announced at the
boards hearing, but became known
soon after the secretary had read
letter from the Port Authority in
which the Authority refused to attend
the hearing and stated that. the Board
OF Estimate having rejected all over
tures until this last minute, the place
TO hare it out now is before the Leg
islative Committee in Albany next
Tuesday. 1t is understood that the
former Tammany Governor, who is
member of the Port Authority, will
make the principal speech for the Au-
thority at that hearing.
That was taken to mean but one
thing: One Of the strongest men In
Tanmany Hall is out against the
Hearst -Hylan plan for the Narows
tunnel, and In favor of the plan drawn
up through the constructive legislation
OF the State administration. The dec
lsration OF Comptroller Charles l..
Craig, though not made in connection.
with Mr.. Smiths forthcoming speech
that the only thing that can save the
JIylan administration plan Is to elect
r. Governor next autumn vas regarded
as precipitating a situation In which
Mr.. smith may. be compelled to choose
not only between the Hesrst-Hylan aud
tho Port Authority plans but also be-
tween the Murphy -Hearst-Hyian and
the independent wings of the Demo
cratic party in the autumn.
All Of Board Going 10 Albany.
Mayor Hyhn ana the osner members
of the 'board--all Tammany men--will
sttend the hearing in Albany for the
purpose Of opposing the plan which Mr..
Smith will advocate.
All hone of any compromise between
thc Board of Estimate and the Fort
Authority was shattered when the Port
authority rejected the boards invita-
tion. and Mayor Hylan. in reply TO re-
,,sased suggestions for cooperation fror.
W. H. Allen, secretary of the Commit
TO-. on Nonpartisan FActs, declared en,-
uhatically that the Board OF Estimate
4. against tie Port Authority and VIII
lave none of its plan
Yesterdays public hearing, which was
announced as being for the purpose oil
obtaining the views OF the public re-
rarding the two plans. resolved Itself
into an inquisition Of all supporters of
-he Port Authority plan almost the mo-
r,ent the Mayors gavel fell opening the
meeting.
The Mayor undertook coup by ask
ing all who favored the Port Authority
rlan to rise. Three men and woman
stood up. Thoy were subjected imme-
djateiy TO fusilade Of hccklng ques-
tons fron, the Mayor. Mr.. Hubert and
Edward RieEelmann. President of the
Eorouch of Brooklyn. G. L. Riker. rep
.resenting the Greensboro Chamber OF
Commerce. and r. man who did not give
J is name. said they were not prepared
to argue the merits Of the two plans, but
thought the good features of the two
r,i-ht he combined They were laughed
a. and further questions followed.
The other proponents Of the Port
Authority did not speak. further than
an announcement from the representa-
tive of the Women's Municipal League
stating that she had been instructed by
her organization to state that 1t favored
The Port Authority plan.
sees Menace of Higher Taxes.
DIR. Henry W. Berg repeated argu-
rients he had made before against the
Port Authority plan. after which the
Mayor declared that the amount OF taxes
which would be lost to the city through
the ALLEGED purpose OF the Port Author
ity to take over Brooklyn water front
property would amount 20 $40, 900. 900 a
year.
Replying TO request from the New
York state Association, Eugenius H.
Outerbridge. chairman OF the Port Of
New York Authority. IN. letter made
public yesterday. outlined the plans OF
the Authority for financing the proposed
port development. The association had
informed che chairman that II would
indorse. with minor reservations. the
Fort AuthorIty's plan and urge immedi-
ate passage OF the Meyer-Mastick bill
Mr. Outerbridge said:
Although the Port Authority is a
body corporate and polite and a joint
agent Of the two States II Is given no
power to tax and no right to pledge the
credit of either State or of any munich
psllty. Funds to acquire or create IA
cilities must be obtained from investors.
the securities to be based upon the prop
critics purchased. constructed or leased
and upon the revenues to be derived
from their operation. This. of course.
means that investors must be satisfied
ri the economic justification for the en-
tArprises. There are no shareholders
and the title to such properties as ~
may construct or acquire will he in
f,-xt
tlon and held in the public interest"
Won must see SALLY the best SHOW ever
produced--ziesfelds greatest success. with