SOCIALIST AND N. Y. TRANSIT
Laidler, Harry W.
SOCIALISTS AND N. Y. TRANSIT Municipal Ownership as a Solution—The Legal Aspect By Harry W. Laidler rphe Socialist Party believes that the only solution to the present subway muddle lies in...
...Instead of operating this Dili **Jf> system as a public enterprise for ia benefit of the traveling public tat oJh* made the fatal mistake of turning ft tear to a private concern Interested sosdy m the profits of Its officers aad sssssholders...
...The Socialist luswhois of the League thereupon met and adopted a resolution tat which the argtlahot mnraoars of the League declare that the Party resolution has imposed on every individual the choice between Party or League...
...there are a few of them whp may play the game but...
...Its large expense...
...this was in the period when landed property ruled society...
...It establishes a new etotoBN record between the Majesty of the law and plebeian aawassa sense and a ass altitude record in the higher isiha mattes of corporate financeIt haves the heiptoe* layman and am dased lawyer to punde over the tnesMeV ing conundrum of when Is a law est s law, whoa Is a contract net a eoetoo** and when la the part grantor than Urn whole...
...On the subway lines, the I. R. T. last year showed a-profit of over go> soo.ooo...
...next in order are the advocates of, the prussian chain gang who regard refusal to support conscription for bankers as a mortal sin...
...During the seven years of municipal operation in Detroit wages have been raised seven times...
...New York owns and operates one of the most extensive water supplies is the United ••Kates...
...And, finally, we must do everything that in us lay to strengthen the labor movement on the industrial and political field, so as to create an ever more powerful group pledged to secure honest, efficient and democratic administration in the.interest of the great mass of the people of the city...
...The Ceart Ofetoag Then the oompany discovered thai ft lid not make enough profits and ssoty announced its determination to sseaa tto public to the tone of a 40 percent increase of the fare...
...he was finally released by judge mancusco on the ground that he was convicted on a confession extorted from him by the police...
...the board of estimate will hold its last meeting for the summer on june 7 and then adjourn but, even this session is not necessary...
...the i. r. t. is about to place an extra tax of two cents on our straps and if the jiew heir wants some extra revenue the tammany nobles are here to render homage and to deliver the goods in good time...
...no other evidence whatever has been found that would justify a trial...
...Why not we...
...To the nasrsphlottcated mind it wsgM ¦eem that a legislative direction that to* franchise specify the martonas fas means that such afar* he »tabh*bes** the (tirrstiam of the franchise, bat #4 oourt holds that the...
...moreover, the practice of making individual increases works out as favoritism to those who are faithful to the tammany politicians...
...then a little stock judiciously distributed will work wonders...
...One cannot imagine the continuance by the owners—the straphangers of the city—of the Indecent overcrowding that now prevails, and which Is the source of so much discomfort and disease...
...The board of directors recently voted two of the officers of the Interborough another quarter million dollars In royalties on certain patents, although the counsel of the T»"r fnslr-jlnjMi that this payment was entirely Illegal...
...During 1027 It paid to Its president a salary of $75,000 and to its general counsel a salary of $72,000...
...the first small manufacturers were regarded as coarse persons a tittle above mechanics and not acceptable in polite society...
...j'he above words are taken from a letter written by fred r. marvin of the "key men oi anaegica" to a montana open shopper, in 1924...
...Unfortunately for the i. r. T. and for UW people of the city, the I R. T. some yesfs ago male a contract with toe Manhattan Elevated Lines guaranteeing to 90 percent of the stockholders of'those lines dividends each year of 5 percent, and to five percent of the stockholders dividends of "1 percent, whether these elevated lines made a profit or a deficit...
...Dr...
...the biggest socialist campaign waged in this country since the end of the world war...
...not only that, but we must reach every sympathetic voter ia the united steles with our appeal for funds...
...But at least ft maintained the five cent fare...
...The city had nothing to do with this disastrous contract...
...we even vote for it and yell all night when we return the tammany nobles to office to see that...
...invested capital and bank¦ ing have been hampered by all sorts of legislative restrictions which have now been removed...
...you have a vast field to plunder and we're good subjects and are used to being plundered...
...the public...
...the state will surrender to the monarch who rules the world...
...if the new heir wants an equal, amount we'll pay that...
...There are few cities in the country which are not faced with the problem of transit corporations intent on raising fares, < except, perhaps, in those cities where increased fares have already been **put over.** New York transit is also important politically...
...capitalists add bankers and the rest of us as mudsills to labor for their happiness and glory...
...An increasing number of large cities—Detroit, San Francisco, Toronto among others on this continnent, and hundreds upon hundreds abroad, are doing It and doing lt_ successfully...
...when planter property ruled in the south the merchant and capitalist were considreed vulgarians...
...perhaps the omission will be corrected in the next edition...
...the working people supply th« victims of this shocking policy and the workmgman or woman who casts a vote for tammany candidates should do so with full knowledge of the infamous thing for which they vote...
...Under municipal operation, a definite policy coulfl be launched, as In Detroit, of paying T0r new construction largely out of special assessments against the property owners/ the value of whose lands Increased as a result...
...first, there ia...
...if i. r. t. wants $16 or even $32 more |>er annum from each of us we'll pay it...
...his assets are estimated in excess of a billion dollars, second only to the american telephone and telegraph company...
...it's an ungenerous world when industrious cappers find it difficult to sell a product for which there was so much demand only a few years ago...
...today the capitalist has leaped into the very boots of/ the landed aristocrat and the latter is merely a decorative ornament where he still survives...
...there is no such delay when the brokers vote themselves an increase...
...ff Pinefly municipal operation is la **• fine with the trends of the tunes...
...In fact, Mr...
...SOCIALISTS AND N. Y. TRANSIT Municipal Ownership as a Solution—The Legal Aspect By Harry W. Laidler rphe Socialist Party believes that the only solution to the present subway muddle lies in public management...
...there are enough of us in new york city- to guarantee a life of splendor and luxury to both houses...
...this applies not only to europe but to the ijnited states...
...weiner declares that he was brutally beaten by officials of the department and in this way they obtained the confession...
...speakers, literattire...
...In twelve years' time, not only to pay all of the Interest on all of the bonds issued by the city in the construction of the subways, a thing which is not now being done, but a surplus of nearly $10,000,00 a year to boot...
...robert weiner spent many months in the death house at sing sing after conviction of murder by a jury...
...Despite this transfer, it stm bad a surplus of over $1,300,000, although, of course, it (Ug not pay anything on the bonds issued by the city hi the building of the subways...
...herbert asbury should have included marvin in his recent history of "the gangs of new york...
...Untermyer is of the opinion that, under a unified subway control, with the retention of the five cent fare, with the new subways under construction, and with his very generous plan of purchase and recapture, it would be possible by, say...
...How Goes the Game...
...they are quoted in the report on "patriotic propaganda" by the federal council of churches, an interesting survey of the ramifications of this.industry in the united states...
...this, is some prince...
...Why not go further and own the equipment and operate for the benefit of all...
...the socialists, of course, make a lot of noise, but the spats and cane we call mayor will take care olthem...
...we cough up as good citizens should...
...the same thing was true in new york state in the first decade of theninteenth century as the great landed magnates along the hudsoh river ruled the state...
...No wonder that the' Interborough is not hi a position to pay dividends...
...the sentence reads like the salutation of one footpad to another...
...Tammany and the Unions r^he exploiting soul of tammany hall is disdisplayed by the attitude of its brokers in power towards workers in the employ of the city...
...capitalism will bestow its "blessings" upon mississippi...
...the union has resorted to every expedient to get the increase but it is still withheld...
...Is able to make a surplus of over $«,000,000 and to pay nearly • percent dividends on stock which, in the bands of Its prodoooasor, sold tor awhile at from $1 to as a share...
...it is expected that the politicians i will have some trouble pacifying the'inhabitants of the hills who for generations have been taught to fear capitalist enterprise...
...It has run Its trains In ssssdalous disregard of the comfort sod health of the millions of psasengotl daffy delivered to its mercy...
...in this case the accused man convinced the jury/that the confession had been extorted and he was acquitted after the jury had deliberated twenty minutes...
...the increase has been due since january...
...those who have pledged contributions should pay them without delay...
...The facts tat the oass are stands: The six arllbon inhabitants of ftr* York need faculties to transport the* from one potot of the city to the eg** with the greatest possible speed sod ssafort and at the lowest possfbls sea, Rapid transit ia a matter of vital fcopsrtance to them, mvohring the* WSJ*, their housing aad health...
...in this you have the essence of patriotism, the vintage of 1928...
...The Interborough **pardmgjy to It* contract with tb*_ djr ^^op^^^^^g' ^ja^h^tf ^oh"^^ wto v^QU)a4 w^as^w1^^ stogie tare of a cento, but no moes...
...The cost was not excessive...
...It has, for instance, spent each year during the last number of years some tens of thousands of dollars in "educating" the public through the Subway Sun and other educational organs ia the necessity for higher fares...
...george is an expert in caring for these infants and we are assured' that the iroyal revenue of the new princely house will be faithfully contributed by the subjects of gas and electricity...
...or nearly $15,000,000 a mile nearly eleven times as much...
...ftnauy there is the system of espionage and attempted terrorism of all persons and organizations .who do not...
...And so the story goes...
...pot a quarter of a century the totorborough Rapid Transit Company to* operated Urn subways of' New York, • has exploited, browbeaten, and ondswa its workers and maltreated Ms pe**e> gers...
...we favor municipal, operation for several reasons: L-We believe thsrt'wnly under municipal operation fiV there any likelihood' of retaining the five cent fare...
...down to a few years ago an honest crook handling fred's wares made a handsome living but today only mamas of the revolution and a few other simpletons provide a market for his goods...
...It applied to a UnWd States court for an order shwiotoi §» etty to submit to this exaction, aad to* court has granted the order...
...but don't pile it on rapidly...
...The ratal instate* The city decoded to moot the seat* of the people by the construction of easv prehenstve subway transit fines, for that purpose K gave the use of tt» fUesh and dug and bunt the subways at to own cost, which runs In hansfafj of millions of dollars...
...this was certain to provoke a fight as the charge was equal to attacking the "honor" of the accused...
...further that they have become convinced of being able to find within the Party the host opportunity of fighting In the interest of ppgsssssd nationalities in general and for the Independence of the Dutch Indies in particular, and thai they accordingly resolve, without abandoning their point of view towards the league to leave it and to remain in the Party...
...We must take the operation'of the subways of the old political machine, we must organise' a separate municipal corporation, and place on the board of directors representatives of various political factions, of the workers and tech n I ess i is...
...And our subway problem wm never be solved until we think In terms of getting rid of the horrible congestion in the heart of Manhattan aad organising small centers for industry and residence in the environs of New York...
...this survey establishes the general character of marvin's work...
...When the subway was constructed In Upper Manhattan, the value of the land of adjoining property owners in that section Increased more than seven times the cost of constructing this section of the subway, and so in the Bronx...
...In the last ten-year period, for instance, the bill rendered by one publicity agent or public relations counsellor was $257,000, more than a quarter of a million dollars...
...he, too, had made a confession admitting his guilt after having been "entertained'' by certain police officials...
...Under private ownership, the McAdoo tunnel with only 6.8 miles from 19th street to Hoboken—was built at $101,000,000...
...With these economies and these policies of assessment, there •is no reason in the world why New York City could not continue to retain that most convenient of all fares, the five cent fare, indefinitely...
...after paying about $2,900,000 to the city for rental on its old city-owned subways...
...the poor whites will be drawn into the factories aad "civilized...
...Trader "¦¦"'^[¦nl management such as the Boris lata propose, ovist of these extraordinary iiinwiBia could be eliminated...
...our indictment of the tammany police department does not extend to the patrolmen...
...In the old subways we have put $250,000,000...
...about $1,300,000 a mile...
...capital is even encouraged by tax exemption of various forms of investments...
...it is thevjfficialdom since the days of devery who have resdrted to the medieval practice of torture to send alleged offenders without "pull" or funds to imprisonment or death...
...Laidter is one of the nation's foremast authorities on municipal ownership...
...That property is now valued at nearly a billion...
...we hope that there will be no rivalry between the new house and the old one, the interlxjrough rapid transit company...
...It would be well worth the price...
...Last year the L R. T. had to turn over to these lines which It leased, fh dividends and in interest on bonds, nearly five-sixths of its surplus—nearly $0,000,000, out of a surplus of $$480,000...
...Under municipal operation, toe subways would aa longer need to Rtv dividends on watered,stock...
...Even should this Involve, which I do not believe It would involve, a small subsidy from the city, as we subsidise our health and educational work...
...We built nearly eighty-two miles of the old Interborough subway at $107,000,000...
...the brokers are always taken care of with fat salaries but the many thousands in humble occupations are treated like factory serfs to the open shop dogma...
...Imagine the charges and quality of the water under private ownership t We have built the subways...
...the expression at least conveys the idea that its author is engaged m a game after the fashion of the new york crooks who used to work the panel game to relieve innocents of any surplus change they might have in their clothing...
...it is reported that george b. cortelyou, head of the super«-power lying brigade at washington, will be thief nurse of the child...
...but a word of caution...
...With the increasing oompWrrtty of our civilisation it becomes Ingres, singly races sary for society to take over services formerly regarded as private Tears ago our school*, our water supply, ear Sao protection and other services wese alm m* mt m mm largely pubUc...
...two recent cases make reference to this practice timely...
...however, fred's industry isn't what it used to be...
...the other case is that of' abraham reles who escaped imprisonment for life as a second offender...
...We give ourselves water at cost, about three and one-half cents a ton...
...The only excuse tor bsrtalntog seaf these vital rights and functions of to* city was the agreement on the part of the company that It would never ossrg* mere than a five cent fare...
...the often shop enemies of labor organization...
...In San Prancisco, under municipal operation, hours have been reduced, wages Increased, and unions favored...
...we noble freemen as a whole are faithful to the princely houses that rule the republic...
...a New Ybrk Times correspondent declares that mississippi has abolished one of its "dragons...
...so we are all set for serving the pew heir and doffing our hats to an anthem to freedom...
...O Municipal operation such as the Socialists propose would improve the service...
...the magicians and soothsayers gathered in solemn conclave near holy wall street this week to deliver the royal child...
...think that god created the world for...
...Of course, it is difficult under these conditions for the Interborough to meet axponaw "The B. M T, with...
...two princely houses, consolidated gas and brooklyn edison, celebrated the union of their regal estates and humble subjects and the heir is said to be the consolidated-edison company...
...the burlesque politicians of ac old era will give way to die polished leader in the service of the capitalist class...
...it is always tender to the rich and powerful but the unfortunate without "pull" or money have another experience.' we do not have reference to the clerical brute associated with the bomb squad who satisfied his saddist inst for a number of years by brutal clubbing of suspected workfngmen...
...Under nwmirtpal odorattan .the interest rates on hands Issued by the city as contrasted with those Issued by private corporations could be reduced...
...it is the useful workers who suffer...
...It would definitely break up the feudalism in industrial relations which now exists, with the kept unions, the yellow dog contracts, the spies and injunctions and strike-breakers, and bring no little Improvement in labor conditions...
...Mississippi Surrenders jt is an interesting fact that the capitalist who dominates the scene today in modern countries was at one time a disreputable citizen, a low fellow who was shunned by real gentlemen...
...here is a situation for members of the trade unions to consider, especially those who have any affection for tammany hall...
...this monster was prejudice against capital...
...The transit situation in New York City, as handled by a Tammany regime, offers an eloquent illustration of what we may expect nationally from a Tammany president...
...those who have not contributed should do so promptly...
...fare...
...We are now given to understand that 'she five cent fare does not meet nsdotnf hwpaasss.1 This is not true...
...Of course, in purchasing and capturing we must not pay an excessive amount...
...And, be it said, its old stockholders cannot be too much pitied for failure now to get dividends, for In the past they obtained from dividends no less than 187 percent of their stocks...
...how goes the game" is certainly language fitting the gangster engaged in crooked work...
...Under private management if they fafl now in winning their point, the I. K. T and the B, M. T. wiH try every conceivable device to law aad publicity until they impose a seven, rone or tea cents fare on the people...
...By Morris Hillquit (XT all important court deetska* u " recent times the opinion of the 0.1 Statutory Court in the New Tort get litigation ¦ the most baffling, suthjat declared...
...last october a modest increase was voted these men to begin the first day of this year...
...ist, capital win flow into tins feudal province...
...hence arises the inquiry in recent years, "how goes the game...
...give us time to get used to each new levy otherwise we might get a little stubborn and take over these royal houses...
...principality of ' tammany for a new royal heir is born this week, born of a union of two princes of the realm...
...It has invested In its property about $400,00.000...
...Hill quit is well known as a leader in the legal world whose approach to public problems has always been from the point of view of the ordinary citizen...
...what we have in mind is the normal practice of the "third degree" which comes down from the middle ages...
...then comes the oil grafters who are defended on the ground that their prosecution really has its origin in orders by moscow...
...it is therefore curious to find something like a survival of this to a recent date in mississippi but the last session of the legislature shows a break with the old tradition...
...don't skin us too much...
...actings and publicity DO NOT COME FREE...
...that thoisern win not relieve a party from a bad b*» ptin...
...Furthermore, during the year ended June SO, 1037, It must be said that the Interborough had had a strike because of its labor policy, which meant a loos to it In earning power of about $2,000,000...
...the union of technical men have been treated like slaves...
...At the time the city turned over hi subway lines to the Interborough •* low of the state provided that the wjew of the franchise ansa specify the mafr mum rate of...
...The leaden of Tammany Hall is now a candidate for the presidency...
...in south carolina, the classic home of planter'aristocracy, if one politician wanted to insult his rival the latter was charged with ha\ ing invested in some industrial enterprise...
...ltorttotom h vsM only so long as ft is profitable to •» faction aagfjpam baoaeas snother hw relating to tostoto sarvtot and trenail porations generally empower* lbs Bafto Transit Ccsnntioston to rsgelato itotraav Lawyers have always *esiimed h to W the tow that when a party to full pawat* •km Of toj mental faculties votanUr* enters Into a definite agreement * P bound by the tors** of such agiasssssl and that if it fails to provide tor ew» tostoean contingencies, It take* the a»» leeuencos of the omission...
...do it gradually...
...Henry Clay once said that he would rather be right than be president but he was neither President nor right, the only man who ean MSB the <Jtoy requirement next year Is Norman Thomas...
...the esse at the Uila1iutoet| ¦he court interpret* It* solemn eooaw* o charge five cento, "but no nsWe," toj nean that It would charge five eatos *C to much seam as may he swo^ssdiy Dutch Socialists Quit Communist Inspired Anti-Imperialist League Amsterdam.—As will be remembered, the Caster Congress of the Dutch Socialist Party passed a resolution In which any connection of private members with the "League Against Colonial Oppression" was aestsassd as undesirable, since the League constitutes one of the organisations misused by the oornimiiital* for united front manned Has...
...Last year It paid in legal fees the vast sum of $665,000, of which over one-half ($340,000) was given to defend the company against personal damage suits on the part of employees and...
...A Municipal operation would make possible a op-ordination beta ten plans tor regional planning—for decentralizing the city population, and subway construction such as is not likely to be the case under private operation...
...Third Degree Tammany THE police department under the rule of tammany vulgarians has always been a source of medieval practices and brutalities...
...When the city of Detroit, the fifth largest city of the United States, took ever its rapid transit Hues, toe first thing that it did was radically to cut down on Just such *aponsoa under unified municipal operation, hundreds ,of thousands of dollars, could be saved through nnsnhliiliig several administrative staffs into one...
...and must put in charge experts whs want municipal operation to succeed...
...DO yOUR SEEL New York transit Is a problem of nation-wide significance, as well as a question of immediate vital interest to New York City's dwellers...
...the capitalist and banker will soon own the more important resources aad agencies of production...
...y But not only would municipal operation of the socialist typo make possible the indefinite continuance of the five cent fare...
...A New Royal Heir jjejoice all ye who live in the...
...In addition to that, the expenses of the Interborough before net profits is determined ere somewhat high...
...the new leader again wishes to emphasize the importance of finances for...
Vol. 7 • May 1928 • No. 22
