Ask Assembly To Act On Transit Problems

Trenton – New York and New Jersey cochairman of the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Commission stood side by side in the State Assembly Chamber yesterday and asked for action instead of everlasting talk on the Metropolitan Area transit crisis.

6-Hour Hearing

Their spirited defense of a proposed bi-State transit agency came at the at the end of a 6-hour, sometimes acrimonious hearing called by two Assembly committees. Austin J. Tobin, Executive Director of the Port of New York Authority, spent more than 2 hours arguing that the Authority has not one dime to spend on transit.

But many of the witnesses yesterday said they want the Authority to foot all or at least part of the bill.

Assemblymen J. Edward Crabiel (D., Middlesex), Chairman of the Highways, Transportation, and Public Utilities Committee, and Assemblyman Martin Kesselhaut (D., Essex), Chairman of the Committee on Federal and Interstate Relations, adjourned the hearing until December 3, so that more witnesses could be heard.

Several Bergen commuter leaders were among those left waiting at the end of the long day, but they presented a petition asking for legislative action.

Crabiel and Kesselhaut told newsmen they think one of the transit bills before them could be amended and passed this year. Legislators meet December 8 and possibly December 15.

The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Commission is a study agency which spent more than $1 million and 3 years to study the transit problems of the New York City area. Cochairmen Edward J. O'Mara of New Jersey and Charles H. Tuttle of New York defended yesterday the Commission proposal for formation of a 32-member Metropolitan Rapid Trahsit District Council to make final construction and operating recommendations on a rapid transit system.

Said O'Mara: “The legislation which you are considering will be a long forward step toward the final solution of the problem. It will at least bring into being an ageney which will have the power not only to consider the problem but to do something about it. A bill for creation of this district has already been passed by the New York Legislature and signed by the Governor of that state. It has been passed by our Senate. I earnestly submit that it should be passed by this distinguished body.

“The only alternative which I can see is that of utter chaos and a complete breakdown of mass transportation facilities in the area.”

Under close questioning from Assemblymen, O'Mara and Tuttle said there is nothing in the district bill to prevent the district coucil from considering and recommending any plan it decides is best. They agreed with Tobin's earlier statement that the bill does not preclude the Council's recommending that Port Authority take on part or all of the transit job.

Tuttle sald the breakdown of transit could split the Metropolitan Area right down the Hudson River. New Jersey now sends great numbers of commuters to staff the great office buildings of Manhattan, he said. Tuttle asked: “Where in the future will we find workers for those great cities in the skies?"

A bill directing Port Authority to plan the transit system drew widespread support yesterday. Senate Majority Leader Wesley Lance (R., Hunterdon) said he thought the Authority might have to pay part of the expense. Jersey City Mayor Charles S. Witkoski said the district is an ingenious way to absolve the Authority of its transit responsibilities. Similar stands were taken by a spokesman for Hoboken Mayor John J. Grogan, the Jersey City Merchants Council, and the Morris County Board of Freeholders. Mayor Thomas L. Taber of Madison went one step further and suggested the Authority take on railroad freight operations and terminals, as well as passenger traffic.

Still another approach was offered by Maxwell Lehman, Deputy Administrator of the City of New York and Secretary of the Metropolitan Regional Council.

He said that the Council–an unofficial planning group of elected officials from 21 counties–wants a tri-state approach, one providing for transit facilities in Connecticut. He said Governor-elect Nelson Rockefeller assured him yesterday that a meeting of the three governors will soon be held to discuss the transportation problem. The Council itself, said Lehman, could be the governing body of the tri-state agency.

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and Passaic Valley Citizens Planning Association filed statements supporting the M. R. T. C. district proposal. James P. Birch, chairman of the Transit Committee of Bergen County, also said he would testify December 3 in favor of the bill.

Joseph G. Eitner of Dumont, Chairman of the Citizens United Transit Committee, was among those who waited in vain to testify yesterday. As the chairmen were adjourning, however, he walked down the Assembly aisle and presented the petition with a loud explanation. He said 7,000 signatures had been gathered by West Shore riders and 3,000 by riders on other trains. The petitions ask quick Assembly action before all railroad and ferry facilities of New Jersey are discontinued.