New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-27
SENATOR'S SHOW ANGER
WON'T ATTEND HEARING.
Resent ASsemblymen Taking Lead
on Utilities Bill.
IBy Telegraph to The rribun,.l ]

tfy teeefaIlh 70 Inc tribune
Albany April 2e.-To give additional oppor-
,uniry for the airing Of views as to amendments
20 the Public Utilities bill. AssemblymAn Mer-
nj to-day announced a conference Of the As
s.mbly Railroads Committee and the Senate Ju-
sicisrv Committee on Monday. at which friends
or opponents might present their ideas. In real
inv II viii he hearing on the measure and the
smendmeuts suggested by the Assembly COM
,nttee but because that committee has been su-
nerseded officially by the Rules Committee the
AFFAIR technically cannot he called a hearing
Assemhlylnan Wainwright. Of the committee
went 10 New York To-day where he will invite
al those interested in the measure TO appear he
fore the committees on Monday.
While Senator Davis chairman Of the Senate
Judiciary Committee. has accepted Mr. Merritt's
formal invitation TO the conference. there seems
10 be grave doubt whether others of the COM
rnittee viii attend. Much bad blood exists between
she Senate and the Assembly because Of the
way in which the Assembly has taken the lead
IN handling the Governors bin. and those Sen
atorE who have been most forward in expressing
this feeling announced to-day that they would
not sit with the Assembly committee at the con-
ference.
This 81 feeling is not felt toward The Assem-
by itself. II IS directed rather at Senator Page
and Mr.. Merritt and Governor Hughes himself;
for the anti-HuEhes men realize that the action
OF the Assembly committee on this measure
really is the result Of a carefully considered plan
Of the Governors. Knowing that the bin If
handled first by the Assembly committee would
have better chance of being reported precisely
as the Governor wanted IL than if the judiciary
Committee. which contains several strong anti
Hughes men, had chance at II. Messrs. Page
and Merritt calmly overrode tentative sugges-
lions 10 have subcommittee Of the two COM
mittees take up the measure. The Assembly
committee. with which the views OF Mr. Merritt
Speaker Wadsworth and the Governor would
have great weight. took up the work and WIFI
carry II through, leaving the bin exactly salts
factory 10 the Governor. Thus the Senate would
have to bear full responsibility for any changes
made IN that body.
GOVERNOR WILL GO OVER MEASURE.
After the conference on Monday the bill viii
be put into shape for reporting at once. prob
ably on Tuesday. Governor Hughes himself will
go over the completed bill. according to present
plans. While many changes have been made
by the Railroads Committee and many other
important changes and corrections must he
made, il is certain that the spirit Of the orig-
nal bin viii not be changed in the least n any
thing the clauses regulating railroads and
lighting companies will be made more binding
and stringent than originally. Neither the lin
fted court review nor the absolute power OF
removal by the Governor will be changed. and
II Is unlikely that the clause prohibiting hold
ing companies VIII be stricken out, though this
may be altered TO permit railroad to acquire
another road which would make an extension Of
its system add better facilities.
The Albany Chamber OF Commerce. following
cut what supporters Of the bill believe is
systematic campaign by the corporations 10
stir up q semblsnce Of widespread public oppo-
sition. sent to-day 10 the Buffalo Chamber OF
Commerce letter suggesting general con-
ference Of boards OF trade on the Utilities bill.
% be held in this city soon. This letter ex-
presSly says that the Albany body has as yet
taken no position against the bill: but support
ens Of The measure consider It significant that
the question Of a conference is taken up with
the Buffalo organization, which is opposing the
bin strongly.
Additional evidences were not wanting to in
doste that this was part Of the inancial-polit-
cal movement 10 defeat Governor Hughes's
policies. which has stirred up so much senti-
ment over the Kelsey case that many Republi-
can leaders are arrayed in open warfare against
the Governor. Friends Of Governor Hughes
consider it significant indeed that this sudden
activity Of business mems organizations" origi-
mated at Buffalo, the home of the states rail-
road interests, in a body made up largely of
railroad men and men dependent those rail-
roads, and was taken up Immediately by Al
bany the home OF the Delaware & Hudson. and
headquarters for the New York Central. I'm
body swsyed by the attorneys for those con-
Gems and the political leader Of the county
SURPRISE AT OPPOSITION OF LABOR.
Much wonder was expressed. too at the
strange opposition shown by certain labor unions
20 the bin. in the light Of Governor Hughes's
lucid explanations that the bill could produce no
result harmful TO organized labor. A man deeply
interested in the Kelsey case, and thus opposed
70 the Governor. indicated yesterday that a great
deal q this activity. both Of The boards Of trade
and the labor unions. in his opinion, manu-
tactured 10 suit the needs Of the corporations
which would find their special privileges cut
short by the enactment, Of q stringent utilities
brl
Men who are standing by Governor Hughes
to-day more strongly than ever announced their
belief that the insurance companies had Joined
forces with the transit interests and both had
SET their old lobbyists at work. first to save
superintendent Kelsey. then 10 hamstrlng the,
utilities bin and do whatever other harm they
could TO Governor Hughes. They pointed out
Aaaf Mr. Kelseys leading defenders were the
men VINO. IN previous years. had borne the brand
u the Insurance and railroad companies. Tho
pohtcai chieftains who trying 10 jockey
me organization into warfare with the Governor,
'nese men went on, were those allied with tho
corporate Interests or controlled by them.
As nearly can learn" said one Of the
governors supporters, Senator McCarren IS
issuing all the orders IN the Kelsey end Of this
oHair What possible interest can McCarren
tnd Grady take in Kelsey? WHY should they.