The New York herald., 1922-05-19
MILLER CHALLENGES
CITY HALL TO QUIT
BLOCKING TRANSIT
Wants to See Hylan Plans;
Says He Won't Interfere
in Solution.
ASKS END OF POLITICS
Warns Obstruction May Re-
tard Problem, but 1t
Must Be Met.
SILENT ON GOvERNORSHIP
Addresses Chambers Of Com
merce of Westchester and
Queens Counties.
SILENT ON GOvERNORSHIP

| Gov. Miller in two speeches here
yesterday criticized city officials for
playing politics with the transit situa-
ton, declared for real reforms in
county government without adopting
any "cheeseparing politics" and in
sisted his administration is the real
advocate of home rule.
His discussions covered wide range
| of political subjects. but no word came
from him on the subject of his going
into the contest for the Governorship.
and it was assumed he left that sub
ject until this evening, when he will
address the New York Republican
County Committee in Town Hall.
He was greeted loudly as Our next
Governor" last evening when he ap-
peared before big gathering of West
chester residents at the Chamber of
Commerce dinner of that county at the
Commodore Hotel. He smiled but said
nothing.
In his discussion of city transit affairs
at the Commodore Hotel at luncheon he
was unsparing in his denunciation OF
policies Of obstruction which seek for po-
litical purposes to hold up subway build
ing. The proposed new system he de-
clared, will operate for a real five cent
fare and destroy the myth the Mayor has
sought to build up of five cent fare. He
challenged the Mayor TO produce his
transit plan and said the cits officials
might retard but they cannot obstruc,
1 the transit development permanently
Transit I'm Westchester.
There was some comment last evening
when William L. Ward. Republican
leader of Westchester, did not attend the
Chamber of Commerce dinner. but II
was explained the occasion carried no
political significance. The Governor
talked at length on the subject Of re-
modelling the Westchester county gov
ernment, and 1t was in that connection
he expressed his views on county and
other forms of government.
Westchesters transit problem Is be-
coming acute and must be reckoned with
soon, the Governor said, and he sug-
gested that 1t might be necessary to
establish a separate system. as distinct
from the trunk lines, to provide for COM
muters, with a central station and one
line through the county snd branches to
all parts. Long Island. he said has the
same problem.
"We have outgrown some of our old
methods of town and county govern
ment." the Governor said. "We have
saved your county $1,250,Oo0 in State
taxes in two years. as We have saved
other counties large sums but / have
found that the saving In State taxes was
Qa N
ments.
1T Is quite true that the cost OF local
government necessarily has and neces-
sarily will continue to increase. be-
cause with the expanding needs and de-
mands of society the localities have
constantly to take on new and addi-
tional work. / am impressed with the
belief that our town and county gov
ernment systems need revision that we
are continuing some unnecessary work
and that there is much overlapping work.
! am not suggesting that there shall
be any diminution In the powers OF
local government. because local self
government is absolutely Indispensable
to the maintenance OF our representative
institutions
And let the local governments be inn
paired in their efficiency let there be
too much Capitalization of power either
in the State or In the Federal Govern
ment and the result will be to destroy
the capacity of our people for self-gov-
ernment.
Not for "Cheeseparing,
"rhe people do not want parsimonious
government. They do not begrudge the
expenditure of public money IL that ex-
penditure results i'm a commemorate q
all nd te 4.
understood that ] am not standing for
any cheeseparing and parsimonious
policy. What / believe in and what
believe the people want IN efficient gov
ernment and real public service, and II
they get that they are willing to pay
what It is worth.
almost any kind of form of gov
ernment will work weli II IL is well
manned. You will not be able to devise
by any magic any new scheme that will
work itself. IL will still have TO be
worked by individuals and in the last
analysis whatever form OF government
you adopt you will get just as good gov
ernment as you ought to have or de-
serve. Because in the final analysis II
rests with the people to choose those
upon whom they wish to confer the
duties Of government. and as they
choose wisely or lily. they will receive
good or bad government"
II will take long time for the West
chester committee. now being organized
by authority Of the Legislature. 20 work
out It's plan for county government, the
Governor said. and system which may
look good on paper may not be found to
work well. The plan will have TO go
to the Legislature, he explained. On the
subject OF home rule he said:
II think the real trouble which has
caused so much talk about home rule Is
that those who talk about Il loudest
practice It the least. No sooner does
something arise which only the Legis-
lature has power to do than they rush
10 Albany and that has led TO the prac-
tice In Albany of enacting all sorts OF
special legislation.
I'VE believe up there in home rule