New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-04-08
EXPECT SPEAKERS AID
BUT NOT UNTIL LIST.
Francis Bill Supporters Look for
Defeat To-day.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune

Albany April Formal notice was given from
the floor to-day by Assemblyman Francis that to-
morrow he would make motion to discharge the
Committee Electricity Gas and Water from
further consideration OF his bill putting telephone
and telegraph companies under the Jurisdiction OF
the Public Service Commission. He asked Speaker
Wadsworth 10 direct the sergeant alarms to have
all members present then This the Speaker did
Meantime the anti Hughes leaders. alarmed at
the evidence they had encountered Of support for
Francis In this motion. scurried around to per-
suade all doubtful Weakened members not TO
desert them. After this canvass Chairman Yale
of the committee declared that he had sufficient
number Of votes pledged to prevent the discharge
Of his committee. He said also that the committee
had not the slightest intention OF reporting the
bill a last resort in this game Of delay he
has revived talk OF giving a hearing the bill,
though last week he said he had no requests for
a hearing.
Mr.. Francis's determined stand for his measure,
with the protest delivered by Assemblyman Ben
nett Monday night has solidifed Its supporters
that now it is with its enemies Il question OF
hanging together or hanging separately Prac-
tcally the same men who in the Assembly are
fighting this measure are taking the lead in the
effort kill the Hughes direct nominations bill.
Neither stories OF corporation influence at work
kill the Francis bill demonstrations Of pub
lie Indignation their have moved them
They regard the protests merely threats against
their of the Assembly just they deem the
Governors direct nominations bill an attack on
they are fighting both relentlessly
The nature Of the opposition, speaking through
this group OF legislators which for two years has
killed this measure in committee. has awakened
much wonder here. IL Is known that the Syracuse
interest in having the killed is due TO the fact
that the Independent telephone companies are very
powerful in politics in Onondaga County These
interests consider this bill deadly in its effect on
them and fighting II tooth and nail
Not word OF open opposition TO this measure
from any responsible source has been heard this
YEAR. The Public Service commissions are ready
willing undertake the work OF regulating
the telephone and telegraph companies consider
ing II merely logical enlargement Of their duties
and proper extension of the state policy OF super
visng franchise holding corporations The com
panies themselves have not appeared against II III
any way. The general public. 10 Judge from tele-
grams and letters which have been pouring into
AssemhIymen recently. desires the bill ardently.
The opposition which is: blocking its passage TINS
year is essentially far more hagrant than the
tactics which were used to defeat the F1usHes
artl-g gambling bills last year
Friends OF the bill expect to sec the Francis mo-
ton to discharge the committee defeated to-hor-
row Then they think Speaker WadsVorth' 10
void responsibility person Ally for the oeath "i INC
n,ir will have fl reported from the Rules Commit
tae once reported. its passage IN the Assembly
,s expected It's death nop is scheduled IN the
Senate where il was passed last year. ana us
supporters are beginning to concentrate their lre
on senators considered likely 10 vote against II.
Other legislation desired by the Public Service
commission for the District seems prosress'hs
nicely The constitutional amendment was
o-,od from, committee in the Assembly to-day. It's
suDporters say they expect II to pass tAefe- 1t -
on the Senate calendar. but will not ne taken Up
,,r,l Tuesday under an agreement between Sena-
,ors Travis and Grady. Senator Travis says II VIII
pass the upper house.