The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-27
ASSEMBLY REAPPORTIONMENT.
Odell Trying to Fix 1t So That He Can Con.
troll New York County Committee.

ONNhh s'D
troll New York County Committee.
ALBANY, March 2o.-General indignation
exists in legislative circles over the desper-
ate efforts being made by Benjamin B. Odell
Jr.; to manipulate the r~eapportion ment
Of the New York city Assembly districts
80 that he can get control Of the New York
county Republican committee. 1t has been
decreed that the only two matters o fspecia
importance that will keep the Legislature
here are the insurance bills and the re-
apportionment bill. But for the fight that
Odell is waging in New York city the reap
~portionment bill would be in the possession
of the Legislature before this, but until
Il can be seen how matters are to turn out
in New York city the legislative committee
appointed TO arrange the reapportionment
under the last State census can do nothing.
With the aid Of William Halpin. Lemuel
Ely Quigg, William H. Ten Eyck and a few
others, Odell is now trying to take the re-
apportionment out Of the hands of Herbert
Parsons. But the interference Of the State
chairman in this matter may prove 10 be
his undoing quicker than he realizes. To-
night John Gunner. leader of the Twenty
eighth New York city district, is in Albany.
Mr.. Gunner is also q port warden. Others
are expected 10 come to Albany this week.
They will consult with Gov. Higgins, and
Mr.. Odell's schemes will be neatly nipped
in the bud.
Mr.. Odell and his assistants are endeavor-
ing to map out the reapporttonment in the
upper districts OF New ork city, so that
the Odell men will be benefited and the anti
Odell men will be Inconvenience. Several
of the downtown districts are to be abolished
and increases made in the upper part Of the
county where the heaviest increase in popu-
lation has occurred.
. Senator Alfred r. Page, first vice-presi-
dent Of the Republican county committee,
has served notice upon the Odell men that
he willre gard any action aiken by the county
committee as merely advisory, but in
spite Of this warning the leaders of the
Odell faction will try to defeat him through
the aid Of the 0dell leaders in the Senate.
Senator Page is the New York county
member Of the Senate Committee of Seven
Members on Reapportionment. There are
three Odell men on thisc committee.
A subcommittee on reapportionment
was appointed by the executive committee.
but 1t contains one or two Odell men. Every
step it has taken has been transmitted to
Mr.. Odell, who has Immediately sent for
the leaders whose districts are Threatened
with elimination and has promised to pro-
tect them. He called a general conference
of the leaders in New York city last week
in the hope Of forming a combination that
would recommend his own scheme of
apportionmept. In spite of the election
OF Mr.. Parsons, Odell has always controlled
the Republican executive committee, and
it is through this body that he is acting.
No time has been set for the report of the
subcommittee, but measures are being
taken in Albany. to convince some Of the
leaders who are inclined to side with Odell
that it will be to their interests to stand by
the Parse ms plan Of reappoEtionment,