The New York herald., 1922-06-07
Addresses O'Brien Directly,
Saying Home Rule Pre-
supposes Ability to Rule.
CITIES NOT INDEPENDENT
Wants People to Regulate Af-
fairs Without Need Of APP
peals to Albany.

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
PoUGHKEEPsrE, June 6.-Temporary
success OF the demagogue and char
latan in municipal government who
play upon the prejudices and igno-
rance Of the people should not dis
courage those seeking to improve con-
ditions, but rather serve as incentive
10 greater activity to save the mis-
guided. This was, in part, Gov. Mil
ler's message delivered tonight to the
State Conference of Mayors in an
nual convention here.
His reference to the New York adj
ministration was disguised thinly. In
the audience of several hundred city
officials from all parts of the State all
instantly gathered the reference. This
was accentuated> few moments later
when the Governor leaned over the
table placed high on stage, and,
pointing down to seat directly in
front of him, singled out John p.
O'Brien, Corporation Counsel. and de-
livered to New York this message on
home rule.
1T is repugnant to any man with
sense of fair play that he should seek
to be judge of any case in which he
is a partner, and do not forget that
home rule presupposes the opportunity
for home rule"
Dealing frankly and firmly with every
subject on which he and the state ad-
| ministration long have benn In conflict
with the municipalities. the Governor
! challenged the city officials to dispute
7 his claim that he wishes to give to every
local government every degree of home
rule which 1t Is capable Of exercising,
| The greeting was lukewarm when the
/ Governor started: 1t grew warmer for
| an-hour as the Governor faced friend
and critic and when he finished had
developed into a generous outburst OF
admiration for his courage
The Demagogue'. Chance.
/ The conference had been in session all
| day. The dinner was served in the Ma
sonic Hall and the Governor came down
from Albany to make the address.
/
and Senator Tolbert on the home rule
amendment adopted last session.
Your problem OF municipal govern
ment is one of the most difficult the
country faces and Is one which has not
been solved the Governor said. 1T
II difficult because in the cities are con-
gregating great masses of people who
are unfamiliar with our institutions un-
familiar with our manners and customs
and when it is very difficult to make
acquaintance with our Institutions these
masses OF people offer an incentive. or
certainly an opportunity for the self
seeker. the demagogue, the charlatan,
the appeal to their prejudice and their
ignorance. not for the purpose OF serv-
ing their needs, not for 6he purpose oil
advancing the public interests. but for
the purpose OF promoting the oppor-
tunities of those who take these meas
ures to secure place and position.
THE temporary successes Of such ef-
forts lead To discoura cement Jf msn OF
virtue. of public spirit. of ability TO rem
der public service. and the result Is thar
we have the problems . municipal gov
ernment. difficult at best. complicated
by the fact that It Is possible to gain
temporary success by the failure to deo:
with these problems upon their merits.
That situation, which there Is 70 use Of
blinking at, should nevertheless not
cause discouragemCnt. II should cause
redoubled efforts. redoubled effort 70
combat misinforma ton by truth. TO COM
bat appeals to prejudice, to comaat false
Impressions by actual performances. -
remove IL we can the needs OF that SORT
OF trouble by assisting the newcomers
TO our shores. and It req Iires the greatest
patience, the greatest sympa.h Thy. tho
greatest understanding and the greatest
persistence to teach these people Amerl.
can customs and the great blessings 70
be derived. under Americas free inst'-
tutions."
The Governor took up the other prob
lems which make municipal government
difficult. He discussed taxation and ad-
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