New-York tribune., 1901-03-31
ODELL AND PLATT CONFER.
NO DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED POLICE
LEGISLATION.

Governor OdelI was in the city all day yesterday.
In the course OF the afternoon he had a talk with
Senator PIatt which lasted for about hour.
Various pertaining TO proposed legislation
at Albany, State appointments and other details
touched upon. There was no one else present
while the Senator and the Governor talked. This
conference led to several sensational reports about
u revival OF the effort to enact police law which
would legislate Deputy Commissioner Devery out
of Office
1t was learned that the question Of police legis-
Iation was never touched upon The report
was that Senator Elsberg's proposition TO take the
power OF appointing the deputy commissioner or
police away from the commissioner and lodge 1t
with the Mayor was to be put In the shape of a
BILL that this bill would pass the Legislature. and
that the Governor would sign it. Governor Odel
was quoted as saying that he would sign such
bill If it came to him. The Governor took occasion
to deny this report
II never said any such thing" declared Mr.
Odell. There is police bill pending In the
legislature and there is none before me. know
of no plan to present one and until there is some
thing tangible l reason to discuss it. The
situation remains unchanged"
1t was learned from authoritative source that
certain persons in the organization were exception
ally anxious to have such bill as the Elsbers
bill enacted. but neither from Senator Platt nor
from Governor Odeu had there come any encour-
agement for this plan. In fact 1t was stated en-
phaticaIIy yesterday that the proposition of Mr..
ElSberg had been voted down Dy the senate CltleS
Committee and that 1t was likely to be drafted
into a bill The general opinion was that there
would be no police legislation at Albany whatever
before the end of the session. and IL is known that
neither Senator PIatt Governor Odel referred
to any such course yesterday.
1t was decided that Henry H. Lyman, State Com
missioner of Excise, should be reapponted. There
has been some opposition to Mr.. Lyman from GER
tain quarters but 1T was announced that this had
all been overcome. 1t is believed that Deputy Com
missioner Hilliard will be reappointed with most
OF the present staff.
The questions raised by the revision OF the char
ter came up for discussion but nothing decided
upon. The bill providing that policeman be
compelled to do more than eight hours work
day has caused widespread discussion. and
touched upon the talk between the Governor and
the Senator. IL broadly limited that this
measure supported by some leaders in the
local organization, and that great deal OF patron
age was expected from il. When Governor Odell
asked about this he said:
II don't that the recommendation will call
for a single additional policeman
Senator Platt had nothing to say about II. No
decision has been reached to what shall be done
such tangle- over the proposed charter revision
that failure to enact into law the proposed
changes was not impossible. The legislature is
expected 10 adjourn some time in the latter part
give much time for additional legislation. and IL
the Mayor his right of fifteen days for study
ing the proposed revision the bill may fail
There will probably be a number of Republican
leaders in the city to-day who will see Senator
Platt. but there will be no formal conference The
questions arising under the charter revision will
that many things viii be left undecided for several
days yet.