Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-09
VICTORY FOR GOV. HUGHES
NEW YORK SENATE CONFERENCE
ENDORSES UTILITIES BILL.
Resolution Offered by Senator Raines
Is Unanimously Adopted-Meet-
ing Of State Committee Called.

ALBANY, May 9.-As a result of a con-
ference Of the republican senators last
night, twenty-nine being present, the abb
sentees being Senators Aids, Cordts and
Wemple, 1t was decided to support the pub
lie utilities bill in practically the same form
as 1t Is now. The following resolution was
adopted:
Resolved. That 1t is the sense Of the con-
ference that the bill known as the public
utilities bill. now numbered 1863, be sup
ported by republican senators in substan-
TALLY the form in which It is printed and
that the committees having charge Of the
bill be requested to report the same to the
senate as soon as possible.
Resolved further, That If any amendments
shall be made they shall be submitted to a
caucus of republican senators.
The caucus was presided over by Senator
Travis of Brooklyn, who represents State
Chairman Woodruff's senate district, and
Senator Burr, who represents President
Roosevelt's district, was secretary.
Raines Resolution.
The resolution, which was introduced by
Senator Raines, was unanimously adopted.
Senator Page occupied the greater part Of
the time In explaining the meaning Of the
bill. Many questions were asked and no
one ventured to offer any amendments that
vitality affected the bill. Senators said that
all seemed to be of the one opinion, that q
public utilities bill should be passed in vir-
tually the same form as desired by the
governor.
The action of the conference comes as q
surprise to many. Before 1t occurred sem
ators were making all sorts of threats about
what they would do in case the republican
state committee tried to interfere with the
state senate: 1t wasoexpected that the con-
ference last night would be hot old time,
on account of the views expressed by some
Of the leading republican senator's. The
way some of them talked at the Hotel Ten
Eyck caused everybody to believe who
heard them that they intended to even defy
terances that some of them made, yet these
same senators went into the conference
and mildly submitted to everything and
practically took no part in the discussion.
Yesterday was the most strenuous day
In Albany this winter and the situation
seems to have clarified itself. From present
indications it would seem that Gov. Hughes
has won out in his fight for a public utili-
ties bill that he could sign.
Binding as Caucus.
While this was not a caucus and the
action Is not as binding, at the same time it
Is looked upon as having almost the same
effect, for no senator can get away from
the resolution that was adopted without
having to give explanations that may be
embarrassing to make. An effort was made
to make the conference caucus, but 1t
was said that this was unnecessary, as the
resolution covered everything.
The republican state committee is to hold
a special meeting at the Republican Club in
New York city at noon Saturday with a
politics of Gov. Hughes In the legislature.
The idea that such meeting should be
held was suggested by National Committee
man Ward of. Westminster. He and Lucius
N: Littauer reached Albany Tuesday. and
with William Barnes, jr., they had talks
with those of the local republican state
leaders who were around the Hotel Ten
Eyck.
Yesterday Mr.. Ward and Mr.. Littauer
had further talks with local republican
chieftains they ran across in the legisla-
tive lobby. To every one of them Mr..
Ward and Mr.. Littauer insisted that it was
the duty Of the republican party to support
Gov. Hughes, especially in his public utili-
ties plans. Last night Mr.. Ward and Mr..
Littauer did not know that Timothy l..
Woodruff. chairman of the republican state
committee, was in town. They ran across
him at the Hotel Ten Eyck.
Conferences With Governor.
After that Mr.. Ward and Mr.. Littauer
had talk with Gov. Hughes at the execu-
tive chamber. Immediately after they left
Gov. Hughes they saw Chairman Woodruff,
and Mr.. Ward suggested that Mr.. Wood
ruff call a special meeting Of the state COM
mittee at once. In the afternoon Mr.. Wood
ruff had talk with Gov Hughes. After
ward he directed that a call for special
meeting of the state committee be issued,
which was done. The committee will meet
at its headquarters in New York city at
noon Saturday.
The purpose of the meeting, according to
10 TO c1ovxy no md
especially the republican voters OF the state,
that the republican state organization, as
represented by the state committee, is be-
hind Gov. Hughes and his utilities bill, as
well as the other bills pending in the legis-
lature which stand for Gov. Hughes