New-York tribune., 1922-01-29
NO Cooperation Will Be
Given Governors Plan
TO End Traction Prob.
lem, Says Comptroller
Board Must Work
Without City Help
Hylan Official Would Not
Grant Money for Private
Owned Lines, He Asserts

Comptroller Craig served notice on
Governor Miller and the Transit Com
mission at the regular Saturday discus
sion Of the National Republican Club
yesterday that they need expect no CO.
operation from MIN in rcorganizirg the
local traction problem.
II he has his way the city will refuse
to grant any money for now lines to be
privately operated, and, on the other
hand, It will appropriate unlimited
amounts Sos lincH to be opcrated by the
city.
Ths Co1nrtrollcr's declaration Of
policy came at tho close Of his speech,
when he said:
The Board Of Estimate sr6 Appor-
tionment could very we'll make dec
lsration Of policy that it never will ap-
propriate public moneys for the con-
stIuction of ncw subways (othcr than
finishing the work un0cr contract( to
be privately operated, whether by the
lnterborough or by the b. Z. r. or any
other, and at the same time declare its
pohcy TO make appropriations to what
ever limit may be required for the con-
structiop OF new subways to be owned
and operated by the City OF New York
What then would be the situation as to
the deadlock p
Transit Warning Given
When this statement was read to Gov
ernor Miller at the Hotel Plaza he said
"Uf couroc, the credit OF the city
cannot be pledged without the consent
Of the Board Of Estimate. That is true
and | suppose if the Board Of Estimate
saw TT TO do it, it could block any eN-
tension of service in so far as the
pledged credit of the city should be
required. That's a responsibility which
the gentlemen who desire TO assume il
must consider for hemscVes, whcthc,
they wish to assume it or not
Senator Schuyler NJ. Meyer, Chairman
OF the Joint legislative committee:
Comptroller Craig. Daniel L. Turner
engineer OF the Transit Commission
and William 4. De Ford. special coun-
sel OF The city in the plan of rcadjust.
menf OF yhe street railroads, we're the
speskers yesterday, and TIC general
/ taeme was the New orll transit situa-
ton. Colonel Newbold Morris prcsiG ed
Senator Meyer went beck T., Tho MAJ.
bone Street wreck on the B. f. r. and
directed attention TO The manner II
Whlch it was politically capitalized BY
Alfred L. Smith, who was opposing
Governor Whitman. He quoted Gov
ernor Smiths first message TO the Leg
lslature, in which he asked for re-
organization OF the five-headcd Public
Service Commission, and he cited the
compliance OF tho Legislature with his
request. Then the Senator read fron,
me report of Commissioner Lewis
NIXON, Governor Smiths appontec. rec
ommcndIng flexible fare based on
NC cost OF service, and quoted Mr
NlAon's statement that it was itnpos-
, SlpIc 10 continue the service on 4 five
cent fare. Mr.. Nixon at that time said
tNot II the Public Service Commission
mao full authority and the city would
cooperate the reorganization Of the
traction problem would be q success,
Similar Recommendations
IN the main Commissioner Nixon's
] fscommendatlons did not differ matcri-
any from Governor Millor's recommen-
cations, SAID Senator Meyer. Gov
ernor Smith did not carry out bis own
recommendations on the other hand
Governor Miller DID have The courage
70 grapple with the big problem and
the events following have amply iusti-
ned his policy. The Legislature had to
lpeec the obstructive tactics OF the
Board OF Estimate. That board has
enough TO do, anyway, to employ all It's
time. and it - Il sound idea to turn
traction over 10 u commission Of recog
nizcd experts ~~-
Comptroller Craig. who followed,
SAID that tho question should not be
treated rs Il political matter. He sa
the question was largely whether
pr'Natc operation % the subways was
tc be continued or whether thcy should
be operated by the city. BE went back
Continued on next passl