The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-09
GOV. HUGHES WINS
IN THE UTILITIES
BILL MEASURE

Albany. n. Y. May s.-Gov. Hughes has
scored a complete victory on the public
utilities bill and as a result OF confer
ence OF the Republican senators last night
20 being present, the absentees being
Senators Aids, Cordts and Wemple,
was decided TO support the public utih-
ties commissions bill in practically the
same form as II is now. The following
resolution was adopted:
Resolved. That IL is the sense OF the
conference that the bill known as the
lublic utilities bill be supported by Re
publican senators In substantially the
form I'm which IL is printed and that the
committee having charge az the bill be
requested To report the same TO the
senate as soon as possible.
Resolved, further That II any amend
ments shall be made they shall be sub
ritted 10 a caucus OF Republican sena-
tcrs."
The caucus was presided over by Sena-
tor Travis OF Brooklyn. who represents
State Chairman Woodruff's senatorial
district. and Senator Burr, who repre-
sents President Rooseveh's district, was
secretary
The resolution was unanimously adopt
ed. The senators were In conference
when the above resolution, which was
presented 10y Senator Raines was unani-
mously adopted.
Senator Page occupied the greater part
of the time In explaining the meaning OF
the bill. Numerous questions were asked
and II was stated that none ventured
30 offer any amendments that Vtaly
affected the bill.
Senators said that all seemed to be OF
The one opinion that a public utilities
bin should be passed I'm virtually the
came form as desired by the governor.
SENATOR'S SUBMIT.
The action of the conference comes as
n surprise 10 many. Before IL occurred
III
about what they would do In case the
Republican state committee tried 10 in
terfere with the state senate. IL was
expected that the conference last night
would be a. hot session, 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 10 believe who heard
them that they intended TO even defy
the state committee. Brave were the ut
terances that some OF them made Yet
these same senators went into the con-
ference and submitted mildly to every
thing and practically took no part in the
discussion.
1t was the most strenuous day I'm
Albany since the legislature opened
and the situation seems To have clarified
itself No senator could get away from
the resolution adopted last night without
having TO give explanations that II would
be embarrassing 10 make. An effort was
made to make the conference a caucus.
hut IL was stated that this was un-
necessary. as the resolution covered
everything.
The Republican state committee Is 20
hold a special meeting at the Republican
club in New York city at noon on Sat-
urday, with view of raising sup
porting arm for the policies Of Gov.
Hughes. The idea that such a meeting
should be held was put forward by
National Committeeman Ward OF West
chester. He and IABcius l.. Littauer
reached Albany Tuesday night and, with
William Barnes. Jr.. had TALKS with
the Republican state leaders who were
around the Hotel Ten Eyck
COMMITTEE CALLED.
Yesterday morning Mr. Ward and Mr.
Dttauer had further talks with local Re
publican chieftains I'm the legislative
lofby. To every one of them Mr.. Ward
6nd Mr.. Jittauer insisted that II was
the duty OF the Republican party 20
support Gov Hughes, especially in his
utilities plan. Tuesday night Mr.. Ward
end Mr.. Llttauer did not know that Tim
othy L. Woodruff. chairman OF the Re
publican state committee, was I'm town,
and they met him unexpectedly at the
Hotel Ten Eyck. After that. Mr.. Ward
and Mr.. Littauer had talk with Gov.
Hughes at the executive chamber. Imme-
diately after they left Gov. Hughes they
eaw Chairman Woodruff, and Mr.. Ward
suggested that Mr.. Woodruff call a special
meeting Of the state committee at once.
Yesterday afternoon Mr. Woodruff had
talk with Gov. Hughes. Afterward he di-
rected that call for special meeting of
the state committee be issued. which was
done last night.
The purpose Of the meeting. according
20 Mr.. Woodbury.. was 20 show the peo-
tse, end especially the Republican voters
of the state. that the Republican state
organization is behind Hughes and his
Utilities bill. well as the other bills
pending in the legislature which stand
for the Hughes policies.
When Chairman Woodruff informed
Gov Hughes OF the suggestion that had
been made of calling the state commit
tee together. Gov. Hughes told him he
thought that IL was timely suggestion
and that the people of the state were
entitled to know where the Republican
organization stood on the pending ques-
ton the disposition Of which may mean
much TO the future of the Republican
party in the state.
After Mr.. Ward succeeded so easily
with Mr.. Woodruff he and Mr.. Littauer
stroleed about the Legislative corridors
and everyone was wondering what made
them look so important. This developed
later when Mr. Woodruff admitted that
when he came to Albany he had no In
tention OF calling meeting of the state
committee. but that he did 50 ION the
excellent suggestion Of Mr. Ward"
ROoSEVELT'S FRIENDS ACTIVE
The fact that Mr. Ward and Mr.. Lit
tauer are friends Of President Roosevelt
and that the presidents own representa-
tive in congress. William w Cocks and
United States District Attorney William
J. Youngs were in Albany today lent color
20 the statement that the idea of calling
the special meeting of the committee orig
inaed In Washington But the general
opinion is II Is simply due to the almost
chance suggestion OF Ward to Mr. Wood
ruff When the suggestion was made TO