New-York tribune., 1922-09-20
Miller Praised
For Transit Aid
And Cutting, 9,
National Republican Club
Tndorses Governor and
Contrasts His Business
Rule With City Regime
Iauds Prison Economies
assaiIs Municipal Nj a u k G t
Departm ent for Its
Incompetency and Waste

,.souyh William u. Van Benschoten.
...;rman of its committee on state
seairs. gave Governor Miller a ringing
'-sorsement last night for transit de-
xsloument in this city. 1t called at
.art;ou to the economies effected by
A.. Governor; denounced tho Depart
-,ent Of Markets of the city as "notori-
~. for it's incompetency, waste and
,ar,.7tione and commended the Gov
s.nor's administration of prisons,
..s;,b stands to save the taxpayers OF
.As state 100000 annually.
Significance was attached TO the re-
,ort inasmuch as former Senator
z,sSerg who is president of the club,
70 chairman Of the tentative commit
tee on drafting the Republican state
convention platform,
Referring to the general soclal un-
rest and economic conditions in the
Empire State, the report says:
1T is not a time for experiment;
not time for theory; not time for
the triher."
Discussing the administration of
Governor Miller, the report says:
HE has not been moved by the
political and selfish criticism and OBJ
struc;ive action of those who, for their
own interest, would deceive the people,
or who, because Of their own ignorance
or inability, have taken an unwar-
ranted position. An honest considera-
ton Of the record of Governor Miller
and his Republican administration
since January /, 1921, leads to no other
conclusion than that the people of the
state have been, indeed, most fortu-
nate in having their governmental af-
fairs during that grave period in such
control"
Business Methods Praised
"Less government in business and
more business in government marks
Governor Miller's administration" con-
tinues the report. "The decision of
the Governor, approved by the State
Board of Estimate and Control and the
legislature, refusing to permit depart
mental appropriations to provide for
deficiencies in expenditures, is the first
step toward the adoption of a sane
state budget, which will provide a sys-
tematic method of controlling state
expenditures and make permanent the
economies already effected by the Gov
ernor.
"A practical result to the taxpayer
is shown on the back of every tax bill
received by the New York City tax
payer issued by Comptroller Craig.
These figures appear as follows:
New York city budget 1921 $21e. ESQ. .s29.2o
New York city budget 1929 29s,Oo5, ,sS5.72
sate ssf'apl[s pxs, e9St 7s INA, sS.s9
Per capita cost 1921.... 3s3
state taxes. 1922 ........... 1445O,51324
Per capita cost 1922....,.. 2.47
"This," continues the clubs report,
shows decrease per capita in state
taxes to the taxpayer in the City of
New York in 1922, as compared with
1921, of S1.36, and an increase per
capita in New York City taxes in 1922
oyet 1921 of $3.50. In other words, the
entire saving to the taxpayers by the
state administration was more than
absorbed by the increased expenses of
the New York City government"
Housing Crisis Recalled
After dealing briefly with the prompt
action ty the Republican Legislature
with the housing crisis last year, the
report continues:
And just as promptly as the Re-
publican party acted in the housing
emergency, so it has acted, under the
leadership of Governor Miller, in the
cOai shortage emergency. Governor
Miller promptly called special ses-
sion Of the Legislature, which at once
passed legislation creating a Coal Com
missioner and appropriating $4,000, 600
to secure to the citizens of the state a
reasonable cost for coal during the
coming winter" -.
transit generally in New York for
many years has been in deplorable
condition" continues the report. "The
intoierable overcrowding, coupled with
some fragrant examples of corporate
mismanagemeut and greed at the ex-
lense Of the public, have made the
great mass of citizens suspicious and
entagohistic. This situation made
fertile field for the demagogue, who
e'ten rode into office not on any merit,
bus solely upon his ability loudly to
condemn. Then when in Office he made
70 attempt to do anything consCrlc
I'VE, but devoted his efforts to Great
ms public resentment for his own po
htle&i advantage. The twin devils Of
greed and politics have been at the
Louom OF most of the transit ills
from which the people of New York
nave suffered.
Governor Courageous"
Gcyernor Miller performed notable
Paol'c service in courageously coming
onward and insisting that transit be
handled as an economic business propo-
Adon, that corporate abuses be
curbed and the entire situation be
thoroughly readjusted with a view to
preventing in the future transit being
mlQS football Of politics.
We approve the plan of the Transit
commission, which provides for the
municipal ownership of all railway
.,'es IN the City of New York without
ufa"ing upon the city treasury, under
4 unihed system of control, the elm
;;latlon OF preferential payments to ex-
n.sihg companies and the placing Of
.ae cty's rights on the same basis as
muse muse o. other interests, the re-estab-
mtshnlent of free transfers as rapidly as
.ne hnenclal conditions of the new sys-
.:m Will permit, the increase of the
wy debi Increasing capacity, so as
permit new subway construction,
i "na The rehabilitation of lines and
''.a1p,lhatlon "a Of obsolete facilities.
n. especially do we commend the
stranslt Commissions adherence to a
.L'e-cenc fare and its efforts to correct
~. results Of the obstructive policy of
W city administration, that through
;ae aoolition of transfers has sub
''Ssea re toe public to an increased fare"
pone Clubs report demands for the
"spubilean women full share in the
activities Of the party.
City Affairs Contrasted
Under Governor Miller" says the