New-York tribune., 1922-09-29

equipment of many Of the lines, cars
and tracks alike had been allowed to
sink into q state of disrepair dis
graceful to the city. With the sur
render of many companies to re-
ceiverships, lines had been aban-
,doned utterly, and whole systems
covered by single fare had disinte-
grated, with the resultant collection
of double and often treble fares.
Many hundreds OF free transfer
points had been abolished. The city
was paying from taxes the interest
upon its own investment in the rapid
transit lines, designed by this time
to e:iye been paid from the receipts
from operation. The tive-cent fare
of the past had in effect disap-
peared. Most serious of all, in the
face of enormous increases Of traffic
not new line had been provided for,
and even the. completion of vital
branches contracted for in 1918 had
further complicated through the in
ability of the companies to borrow
for construction purposes, and the
further fact that the constitutional
borrowing capacity of the city had
In this situation of chaos and con-
fusion, with the local city admin
istration either unwilling or power
less to act, Governor Miller and the
State Legislature performed a great
and timely service by intervening.
This Intervention involved no viola
tlon of the principle of home rule
and no departure from precedent.
From the beginning commissions
having jurisdiction o. rapid transit
have been state commissions. This
was so under the last Democratic
state administration, which reorgan-
lied the commission hut left it as q
state appointed agency. To-day, by
virtue of the orders of the Transit
Commission, hundreds of additional
subway trains have been provided;
new cars and other needed equip
ment have been ordered, at capital
cost to the companies of more than
S7Oo0,000 and the time brought
measurably nearerE when there will
be seat for every passenger in all
but the peak rush hours. Inter
company leases have been or are
about to be modified so as to re-
claim millions for the benefit of
service. Plans have been prepared
for new lines and extensions. and
what is Of even greater practical i'm
portance, plans for raising the money
to build the new lines without fur
ther use of the city's cramped credit
have been devised.
We unreservedly commend Gov
ernor Miller, the Republican Lepjs-
lature and the Transit Commission
Tor this courageous and constructive
program. Particularly do we com
mend the commissions adherence to
a scent fare and its announced pur-
pose to correct the results of the
policy Of the present city admins
tration, through which continuous
ride and reasonable transfer for q
b-cent fare have been denied to the
people.
Port Development
The proper development and CO.
ordination of terminal facilities in
the Port of New York will reduce
waste and excessive terminal charges
which are now burden to both pro
ducer and consumer That work, in
dispensable to the prosperity of the
city, state and nation, has for MANY
years been neglected. Action has at
last been substituted for inactioN. A
Port District and Port Authority
have been created and a construc
tive, far-reaching plan for the future
development of the port adopted.
We pledge the energetic execution
of that plan.
Home Rule
We reaffirm our previous declara-
ton IN favor of granting to all cities
and villages ADEQUATE powers of self
government and control over their
local affairs and property and the
transaction of municipal business.
subject to proper constitutional safe
guards and the general laws of the
state, but free from Legislative in
reference in purely local affairs.
There has been much demagogy in
the discussion of this subject, and
those who cry for home rule the
loudest have often been the first to
appeal to the Legislature to violate
the principle. We commend Gov
ernor Miller for his action in veto
ing bills emanating from the City
of New York, which were supported
by the local officials because they
violated the home rule principle
Agriculture
The Republican party has always
stood for the encouragement and i'm
provement of agriculture. The
burden Of direct state taxes on real
estate was reduced nearly $4,000. =
00O last year and will be reduced
more than $16,000,000 this year. AS
compared with the last Democrats
year. That is a direct benefit to
agriculture. For better admins
tration, the Department of Farms
and Markets has been reorganirad
under single head. The work of
combating the enemies of hotb
plant and animal life has been vig.
orously pushed and increased an-
preparations have been made fpr
slaughtered animals.
Additional protection has beer
Afforded both the producer and con.
W;nan sumsr frop spurious limitations.
DEFECT and preyent frauds in the sale
OF iced, FERTILIZER and seeds. In
proved methods Of daily market re-
ports have been inaugurated NV
peri sdvlce and assistance in mat
.ers OF transportation have been sun
piied. Extraordinary expenditures
are being made to improve transnors
tatlon facilities. Adequate storage
and marketing facilities, adenuats
means OF obtaining hank credit. ades
quaSe transportation facilities. more
saeiiisies, more orderly MARKETING