The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-05-28

In 1928, IN order TO knife Hylan, a
fund estimated at some seven or eight
millions was contributed by Wall
Street for the purpose. The way Al.
Smith played the game, though less
direct, is even more interesting.
Agitate Fare Increase.
Miller in 1921 had appointed three
outstanding grafters and traction
tools as members of the newly
created New York State Transit Com
mission. These servants of the COM
panies had hardly taken office before
they began to carry out the purposes
of their masters. Their first step
was to draw up a so-called "unifica-
ton" plan, an important part of
which was an estimation of the valua-
ton of the traction lines at figure
so exaggerated that the companies
themselves have since, through their
counsel, Miller, stated that they would
not insist ON it. The second step Of
the members of the Transit Commits
sion, sworn to defend the interests of
the people, was to begin agitation for
an increased fare!
The most active exponent of such
agitation was Leon 7. Hardness, sec
ond member Of the commission and,
as previously disclosed, the associate
of Abel Blackmar, a director of the
Interborough. AS early as August,
1921, Hardness began his agitation in
behalf of the traction trust. He did
not limit himself to New York City
in spreading the propaganda. At a
meeting Of the American Bar Associa-
ton held in Cincinnati he read an
article before the public utilities sec
ton of that body in which he said:
"The question naturally occurs, if
most of the cities Of the United States
have relieved their traction situation
by increases in fare, why hasn't New
York done so? Those who have ex-
amined the situation even superficial
ly have found a sufficient answer in
the hostility of the city administra-
ton. The city has been vigorously
and bitterly opposed to an increased
fare"
He failed, however, to point out
that in no city in the country does
the public bear the major portion of
the burden Of traction operation; nor
did he point out that no city is to be
compared for huge traffic volume
with New York. His business, it is
clear, was not to be fair or accurate
but merely to carry on the agitation
for an increase.
In order to carry out further the
ends of his masters and to defeat
Hylan, this faker in 1925 together
with his colleagues in graft on the
Transit Commission, issued a public
statement on January IA, 1925, en-
dorsing the cent fare!
Smith Uncovers Hand.
The struggle between the traction
ring and the stubborn city admins
tration came to a climax in the Nc
Avoy investigation Of 1924-1925. 1t
was here that Al. Smith revealed not
only his unprincipled political cum
ming, but his utter disregard for the
public welfare which he had sworn to
uphold.
Hylan had brought charges against
he takers .on the Transit Commits
sMQn. Among other things, these tools
of Z he traction ring had failed to COM
pei Nhe companies to put on. added
cars As provided by law; they had
permitted the equipment and struc-
lures to- remain in unsafe condition;
they had failed TO compel the COM
panies to make proper deductions
from their earnings for maintenance,
etc.
\ 10 meet the situation something