The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-11-04


tected against accident claims. instead OF
having operation in the hands of ire
sponsible persons and dummies for politi-
cal favorites.
And SO, accompanying the Mayors
cry for buses and for the scrapping OF
the surface lines, we have had gradually
developed so-called emergency bus OPP
GRAFTON, without warrant of law, not un-
der legal permit, but nevertheless per-
upitted and operated under the jurisdic-
ton OF the Commissioner OF Plant and'
Structures. The courts have repeatedly
declared that operation to be Illegal. but
in the face OF these decisions il has been
continued and enlarged until recently, by
decision of Mr. Justice Mullen, the city
was finally definitely enjoined.
"'rhereupon the Mayor and the Board
of Estimate requested me to convene an
extraordinary session of the legislature.
They said that 100000 people who We're
daily carried by these buses would be.
made to walk. I pointed out TO them
how. these people could continue to be
carried legally instead of Illegally But
: they were not Interested. They were
anxious to create another grievance just
on the eve OF election, and they said that
they would not grant franchises. think
ing that the word franchise had in the
public mind a sinister meaning.
'Au franchise is is a permit.
consent. And they well knew that it
could be granted for any length Of time,
for six months If need be. under any
restrictions or limitations that might
be Imposed. They preferred to allow
100000 people to walk. and so they did
not even apply to the courts for a stay.
THE Transit Commission however,
anxious to serve the public, did apply
to the courts and did secure a stay
for a limited time, on the theory that
an honest effort would be made 70 sub
stitute legal operation for illegal OPP
GRAFTON. That having been done, the
Transit Commission ordered a public in
vestigation to pass on the question OF
applications of necessity and convent
ence.
1T is unfortunate that that investiga-
ton happened during a political can
vass. That was not the fault of the
Transit Commission. But that investi
cation has revealed much to illumine
the whole subject, to account for the
attitude OF the city administration for
the last four years, to explain the
desperate attempt to scrap the surface
lines in order to substitute buses, to ex-
plain the desperate proposal now made
to break the transit system in two In
order to seize hold of a part only OF
the broken parts to be operated as
part and parcel OF political machine.
Quotes Grover WhaIen.
Nothing more illuminating need be
referred to than the testimony of Grover
Whalen himself when his attention was
called to the fact that the five cent
fare administration" had permitted
hns In 20 m a yO
cent fare in orders that 205 per cent.
profit might be paid through two dunn
mics to two OF the henchmen OF Tam
many Hall. He said he was not con-
cerned so long as the dummies repre-
scented good Democrats That explains
how the city administration wishes to
operate the transit lines of the city
for good Democrats. The Democratic
candidate stands for the proposal TO
strike down the work OF the Transit
Commission In order to turn over the,
transit lines OF the city to good Demo-
crats.'
THE great issue of supreme impor-
lance is the transit issue. I had sup
posed we were to have a real discussion
of il. The people were entitled to full
and frank discussion. Up to date they
have not heard a word from the Demo-
cratic candidate in criticism of the pro-
or in defense of the program which he
proposes to substitute. He now talks
about the tariff, about Thomas Carlyle
and transcendental moonshine and a
bridge in St. Lawrence county. He
finds fault with the fact that l am clos
ing the campaign here. l do not know
why he should claim the sole right to
address the people of this city.
while he has sidestepped the issue
have presented it fully. have dis
,sussed 1t from the record. One thing at
least can be said to be clearly estab-
lishedr The Democratic candidate pro-
poses to strike down the work of the
Transit Commission and to deliver the
transit lines of the city over to Tam
many Hall. propose TO stand by and
TO support the work of the Transit
Commission. That presents the ISSUE"
Speaks of school Disgrace.
The Governor reviewed transit events
of the last four years, described Nixon's
failure and Nixon's attempt to raise
fares to eight cents; described what he
called Mayor Hylan's policy OF obstruc-
ton and destruction, and then took up
the constructive work already done by
the commission and the work planned
for the next five years. He referred to
the so-called Hylan plan asNimpossible
and absurd and only brought forward.
within two months of the election, as
political issue. He said that the Hylan
plan, among other injuries to the people.
would use up all the money needed by
the schools, the neglect of which. he
SAID sis already a crying disgrace be-
cause OF 10000 school children on part
time for want OF adequate facilities"
1.-THE subject has been studied" said
the Governor. 1.-The program has been
worked out. We know what can be ac-
complished. We know what savings can
be effected through consolidation. and
with that knowledge the Transit Com
mission is able TO report, and am able
cmphatlcally to pledge to the people OF
this city that unless that work is
stricken down they can ultimately have
one complete. connected. efficient. prop
erly developed transit system. all OPP
Grating for a. five cent fare. That is
great deal to have accomplished in
year and a half"