Fears Expressed on Regional Aid

By MURRAY ILLSON

Fears were expressed at a Congressional hearing here yesterday over the possible encroachment of "big government" through the Metropolitan Regional Council and similar organizations.

One witness, Arthur M. Cromarty of Suffolk County, vice chairman of the New York State Thruway Authority, described himself as "an outspoken foe of the Metropolitan Regional Council."

The council, which is headed by Mayor Wagner, is a voluntary organization of elected officials of counties and municipalities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. It aims to solve mutual problems through cooperation.

Mr. Cromarty was one of three witnesses who appeared at a joint hearing conducted by the Senate and House subcommittees on intergovernmental relations. The hearing was the second of three looking into Federal, state and local relationships in the metropolitan region. It was held in the auditorium of the United States Mission to the United Nations, 45th Street and First Avenue.

The two other witnesses were New Jersey county officials who voiced fears that such organizations as the Metropolitan Regional Council would eventually mean a weakening of local government and "home rule."

Also on hand to express unremitting hostility to the council were some 50 men and women from Bergen, Union, Essex and Morris Counties of New Jersey. Some of them identified themselves as members of the Conservative party of Bergen County and of the Tri-State Conference on Community Problems, with headquarters in Ridgewood, N. J.

The Ridgewood group issued a statement terming the hearing "Operation Sellout." The statement charged that citizens had been barred from speaking and the hearings were "limited to a nonrepresentative highly selective list of public officials." The statement also said:

"We protest that these hearings are being held in the United States Mission to the United Nations whereas Congressional hearings should be held in a Federal building."

Wants 'Responsibility'

Mr. Cromarty, who is the Republican party chairman of Suffolk County and holds his $17,000-a-year post with the Thruway Authority on appointment by the Governor, told the hearing:

"If I had my way, we would be reducing instead of increasing the number of officials in this country who have no direct responsibility to the voters."

Cassius H. Daly Jr., director of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Bergen County, said that "home rule is an essential ingredient of American democracy."

Jay A. Stemmer, Union County Freeholder Director, said that "the Metropolitan Region Council if it became an autonomous body could become the fifth wheel on the balanced cart of American representative government."

Representative L. H. Fountain, Democrat of North Carolina, presided. He twice warned the audience against applauding—the applause for the most part being for points made against regional planning.

The final session will be held at the mission auditorium tomorrow beginning at 10 A.M.