Rapid Transit Plan Assailed

HARRIMAN (AP) — Robert Moses has attacked a proposal for a new bi-state agency to set up a unified rapid transit system between New York City and New Jersey.

Moses told the regional conference on metropolitan areas here yesterday that if any agency is needed to unify metropolitan rapid transit it should be the Port of New York Authority.

Arthur J. Tobin, executive director of the Port Authority, immediately rejected Moses's proposal.

Transportation is one of the questions being debated at a three-day conference at Arden House on metropolitan area problems. The conference is being attended by 60 public officials and civic leaders from six states.

Moses is a member of New York Mayor Robert F. Wagner's committee on metropolitan rapid transit. Tobin also is attending the conference.

Moses' fire was directed at a report prepared by business consultant Arthur W. Page for the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Commission. Page recommended creation of a New York-New Jersey agency to integrate subway and other rail facilities used by commuters.

The commission has been holding public hearings on the Page report, which proposes purchase of the Hudson tubes as part of a two-state rail loop. Operation of the loop would be subsidized by tax money from the communities served.

Moses said he opposes any area-wide transit system that includes the Hudson tubes, run by the Hudson & Manhattan railroad. He said he favors highway travel over rail travel.

Moses said the tubes are obsolete and "operating in the red." Railroads serving New York, he said, "just can't wish their troubles on a new regional taxing commission... on the assumption that bailing out a busted, lazy and backward private enterprise is the business of government."

Moses contended that any attempt to set up a new bi-state transit agency would be defeated by voters opposed to paying a transit tax on top of other taxes.

Tobin, in rejecting use of the Port Authority, a New York-New Jersey agency, said it was proposed three years ago that the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, of which Moses is chairman, take over New York City's Transit System.

Tobin recalled that Moses had termed the proposal "stupid" and had said it would wreck the Triborough Authority's credit.

"I agree with him," Tobin said. "For the same reason, the Port Authority is opposed to taking over bi-state rapid transit."

In a second statement, Moses, as head of the state park system, renewed a plea that the Adirondack and Catskill forest reserves be opened for construction of camps that could be used by families for vacations.

The state constitution says the preserves are to be kept "forever wild." Moses said a great need for recreation spots for city dwellers has developed.

The constitutional restriction, he said, has become "senseless." He called for a constitutional amendment to allow use of the forest area for family camps.