The Washington times., 1922-08-07

oVercroWding In the subways under
private operation have been scorn.
fully denied by legislative and exc.
cutive officials who place the inter.
ests of specially favored corporate
roups above the human interests and
civic rights OF the people OF the
city OF New York
Here again the mayor thumped the
desk thunderously. To my mind he
at the moment drew a mental pic.
ture OF the thousands Of men, WON.
en- and children jostling and crowd.
ing into the subway trains with the
guards generously aiding them with
a few tender shoulder shoves
Lesson Of Tie-up.
The B. r. T. tie-up on the eve.
ming OF July rs. at the height OF the
rush hour, emphasizes the enormity
Of the crime committed against the
travelling public OF this city by the
upstate traction controlled legisla-
ture and the State Trsnsiiti Commits
sion and their cohorts in wilfully re.
fusing 10 give the city unmistakably
clear authority 10 operate a modern
municipal bus system.
The city has been denied this au-
thority several times in the last few
years by the Republican legislature
II the city had this power II would
have long since had in operation a
modern system of buses in the terri
tory affected by the tie-up which
would have made 1t impossible for
any congestion to have arisen be-
cause Of the tie-up.
Modern Bus System.
"A modern bus system with its
flexibility OF operation can be speed
lily concentrated at any point OF
emergency due to breakdown or tie.
up Of any other transportation sys-
tenn. and II should be in operation In
this city at the present time In place
OF the temporary make-shift buses
which we have been operating for
the last few years because of the
obstinate refusal OF the upstate Re
publican legislature to permit us to
operate an elaborate city-owned sys.
tenn.
"The bus system itself cannot break
down because each bus constitutes .
complete unit In itself and the buses
are not dependent on any central
power plant for motor power.
Should Open Eyes.
It is to be hoped that the acci-
dent to the Brooklyn transit system
will open the eyes and the conscience
the city OF the proper use OF buses,
the city of the proper use or buses,
either because they are blind to the
public interest or are enamored OF
the traction trust, so that at the
next session of the legislature
proper authority will be accorded
the city to initiate its own bus
system. The Board of Estimate has
repeatedly expressed it's willingness
to spend .S25, ,0OO, 900 OF the city's
money to install a city-wide and
city-owned bus system, and I hope
that the Legislature will no longer
prevent the city from doing this.
The city's program for the most
comprehensive system Of new sub
ways and tunnels will soon be an.
nounced. 1t insures real rapid
transit for all boroughs for genera
tions to come"
With this pronouncement the
mayor again thumped his desk in
such a determined manner that the
century-Old pictures ornamenting his
office seemed to vibrate In unison.
Busy Every Minute.
Tho mayor relaxed in his chair and
assumed a reflective pose. His eyes
clock on the wall, and he uncon-
sciously noted the time OF day. For,
be it known, this interview was by
no means smooth sailing. Telephone
bells kept ringing, His Honor
"buZzed" every few moments for one
Of his staff or other, and he did not
neglect TO inform me that a meeting
of the Bank Commission was on in
few moments.
Man of Decision.
L discovered one thing during the
interview, and that was that the chief
executive of the city of New York is
a man of action and decision. The
business he disposes Of in the course
of days work is prodigious.
A short silence ensued, during
which l had an opportunity to glance
about me. We were seated in an
executive chamber made historic by
the remarkable associations OF more
than a century; in room that has
been the pivotal center of the growth
OF our great city from practically n
village to the greatest metropolis on
earth.
"Mr. Mayor" I ventured, you are
surrounded here by very remarkable
associations"
yes indeed" was his reply. Their,
refleCtive'y he added: THE city was
noy called upon to face the immense
asks thai confront us today"
So0n ne b, gan talking again, and
II wa or q subject of great impor.
tgnoe 70 uH II.
what hs aid I will tell about in
tomorrow 8 Washington Times.