New-York tribune., 1922-10-15
replying to Miller, Says He
Relieved i'm Plan but
Opposed Law Denying.
r.. Y. City Representation
Attacks Highway Record
a..erts Governor Returned
Department to Politics
After He Had Cleaned 1t

cyyaCuse speech In WniCh she
..cused him OF ''Aopping' on the Fort
Authority question. Mr.. Smith Is one
:. the New York members of the forp
Authority through appointment of COY,
s,p,r Miller. The Governor deciaie.
abat Commissioner Smith had accep.ea
.he or,gina, Po1s authority plan, which
I'D no. proy,de for representation ~
,be ,.sx York City authorities on 'has
bssedc. and now was standing TOT re-
.j.ot;on on platform which demands
eaea representation.
The Democratic candidate submitted
mat his stand in the matter was con-
! ,..tent: that while he believed the plan
i ..s al right and had worked hard for
"a had originally opposed the legis-
s.. which provided for the present
..ke.up Of the Port Authority without
az representation from the New York
r.v administration. The candidate de-
.,.,ea that the Port Authority project
"a. asnother Of those instances where
/ eoysYnor Miller, in an attempt to solve
1 q big problem, is giving 1he peopie I"
qrsrrel."
Hits Highway Department
The former Governor devoted large
4 s.rt ~ his speech to condemnation OF
ha nresent personnel and management
a the State Highway Department un-
&9sr Governor Miller, which, he asserted,
Had been demoralized and used purely
+ for political purposes. In calling TINS
tepsrtment to Governor Miliers atten-
IA M Smith said he was giving
1ssomethins to the Governor to chew on
ihat ! an, satisfied he will not like"
sAt Syracuse last night" Mr.. Smith
e.esn. SGoyernor Miller spoke about
Es Port Authority. If he ever read
H. treaty between this state and the
ststa of New Jersey he would appre-
sSsts now impossible it is for the Port
Il zrthoritv to function without the con-
ssnt OF the City of New York. 1t is
sSis argument for Governor Miller to
srssk about the other municipalities in
M own state that are within the Port
Il Mstrict. that are in no way affected
/, the physical plan. The cold fact OF
K. matter is that the plan itself on
tSs eagterly side of the port lies en-
- Hrtly within the city of greater New
81 Yoyt, The treaty contains provision
"a thstno property belonging to a munici-
h paiy can be taken in pursuance OF the
ras without the consent OF the mu-
& rkipality. Therein hes the stumbling
r Slsck in the whole plan. 1t is one, OF
those instances where Governor Miller,
IA an attempt to solve big. problem,
Is giving the people quarrel.
die cannot say that this was not
4 eslled to his attention. On the 30th
of January last appeared before
4 joint committee of the Senate and As
,embly advocating the plan, and then
and there made the frank and open
i statement that, while the plan was all
! light, the legislation bringing into be-
inr New York's commissioners to the
Port Authority was net all right. l
streugly urged the legislative commit
Tee to give representation on New
= York's part of the authority to the
local city administration. Like good
many other things suggested during
Governor Miller's administration. mo-
body opposed this, but it simply didn't
happen. What possible reason can pc
Il gyen why the local administration
should not be represented on the tort
Authority? I recognized that prlncipie
as Governor, and when, in the course
i Of ordinary events, / was called upon
TO make appointments to tho bi-stat-
4 eommission | selected New York's
Dock Commissioner.
Calls Harmony Essential
4 Harmony between the city ard state
is essential if this plan is to be ulti-
mately successful. The great trouble
l lies in tn. fact that Governor Miller is
! Igiving to this great problem that last
word direction that would come from .
"a s~k t. L. l. 4nl fhn
i attitude that 1T will be done my way
OF it will not be Zone at ALL ="
n The former Governor declared that
Governor Miller does not feel any too
Kindly toward New York City anyway.
de said that the Governors whole ad-
ministration constituted not only
ack OF consideration for the metropo-
h, but where he colld do it he had
made bitter and vSoient assault upon
M powers of home rule. He declared
nut there was little likelihood of the
In yer being put in operation under
17pnor Miller betnuse the Governor
Msgly prefers quarrel and contro-
sNto accomplishment"
Wis position on the Port Authority
sAa: he said:
worked hard for the passage Of
aplan. believe in it. l am salts
u - that it is the best that engineering
asat and ability can produce; but
! aan Governor Miller is, and have
aacs il practice all during my public
aicer Mat should ] make a mistake,
uen 1t is called to my attention I am
] saay and willing to admit it. That
Y0Sernor Miller seems to be unable to
Let him put aside his judicial dig
~ and take clear common-sense
(. ~ Of the situation. He may have to
s.slew some OF his pride in the mat
~ oat he should be willing to do that
50 doing he can help the City of
w iork-in fact, the State Of New
sA and the nation itself.
aus Miller Weak on Home Rule
{ as has boasted good deal about
3 pssie suie for cities, but it is largely
/ ssis. ssHismsc talk. When the opportunity
i &hs, presents itself to permit him to
Is SIiorm talk into action he seems
& hs.s unwilling to do it. The inter-
q Xntsn ssnicuiar tunnel had no trouble
at;ass at;s under way during my admins
s ~ nTound has been broken for
Is ~, NY shafts have been sunk and the
S ss.i we work of construction is now nro-
& ass. ! stood upon no idle cere-
Il ~ as Tor the form Of the ]epislation
a to start it, although Il is
y, nat the Republican Legislature
4 ss wy OF its way to take control of
81 sn..s .ssmmission and in reality per-
as s. 3. function that it was never
IS stas as'sntion of the people that they
ma ~ perlorm under our constitution.
q zslIs no quarrel with them, prin-
1;sa3 81 q oecause | was anxious to fur
ne ~tS great pnblic irnrrnvorea0f re-