The New York herald., 1922-03-12
AGREE TO CHANGE
HOME RULE BILL
Spokesman for Mayors Will
Accept Requirements of
Governor.
HYLAN SCHEME DOOMED
Enactment Of Tolbert- Ullman
Measure Now Considered
Certain.

Conviction that the Tolbert-Ullman
home rule bill stood a most excellent
chance OF becoming a law, barring un-
foreseen opposition. was expressed by
representatives of the State Conference
of Mayors and Of other civic organiza-
tions following a conference In this city
yesterday noon.
Changes in phraseology suggested by
Gov. Miller on Thursday to former
Mayor William ]. Wallin of Yonkers
chairman, and two other members of the
legislative committee of the Mayors con-
ference were agreed to. 1t is the un-
derstanding that with these changes the
Governor will support the bill when the
committee confers with him again to-
morrow.
1t was agreed by the conferees that
the proposed physiological changes in
no wise affected the essential features of
the bill. But Corporation Counsel John
r. O'Brien. who had invited the confer
ence to meet in his office, said the city
administration wanted more. He sought
to discuss the socalled home rule bills
introduced at the instance of Mayor
Hylan. but 1t was made clear to him
that the subject under discussion was
solely the Tolbert bill.
A statement given out in his office
later read:
Oppose Tolbert BIZ.
Corporation Counsel O'Brien. In
speaking about his participation in this
conference. made 1t clear that he and
the city administration stood firmly for
the largest possible measure of home
rule and were not satisfied with the
inodicum Of home rule provided in the
Tolbert bill, but that he participated In
the conference with view to offering
every assistance In the attainment Of
all that was possible under existing con-
ditions, Of home rule for cities"
Some Of the conferees were inclined
to think the invitation of the Corpora
tion Counsel to meet in his office fore
shadowed a possible claim by the a6-
ministration of credit for the Tolbert
bill, IL it passes. They wished 1t made
clear the measure was entirely the prod
uct Of the State Conference of Mayors.
with It's allies representing various good
government organizations.
Senator Tolbert, owing to illness. was
absent but In addition to former Mayor
Wallin and the Corporation Counsel, the
following took part in the conference
Walter Arndt of the Citizens Union.
Robert Moses, Laurence A. Tanner and
Martin SAKE. of the New York State
Association; Raymond ". Ingersoll of
the City Club, Samuel A. Lewisohn, for
mer treasurer of the Municipal Govern
ment Association, and Assistant Cor
poration Counsel William e. c. Mayer.
John F. O'Brien and John Lehman. AL
bert Linke, former Democratic As
semblyman, who said he represented the
Home Rule League of Kings County, at
his own request was permitted to sit In.
Features of Measure.
The main features Of the Tolbert bill,
which of course requires constitutional
amendment, are:
/. 1t grants to all cities definite powers
to regulate their own municipal and
property affairs through the adoption OF
local ordinances not inconsistent with
the State constitution and laws.
2. 1t provides that the legislature may
not pass any more bills applying strictly
to local matters.
It is the so-called emergency clause
that prevents the complete enforcement
of the municipality from State control.
This provides that the Legislature may
pass legislation for cities whenever the
Governor shall have attested its neces-
sity In an emergency message and the
existence of the emergency shall have
been concurred In by not less than two
thirds the membership of each house.
There Is said to be not the slightest
chance that any part of Mayor Hylans
socalled home rule program, introduced
by Senator McGarry of Queens, will pass
the Legislature.