New-York tribune., 1909-04-13
WOULD BAR LOBBYISTS
SENATE P4SSES ME4SURE.
Thrust at CitiocRS URiOn-LcgiS-
Iature Nay 4djOmn 4prH n.
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribune. ]

Albany. April l2-Takirs leaf out of the book
studied by the Governor and his supporters anti
Hughes men in the Legislature are r,sorting a
fne line Of 'cOunJer-accelcration-'' Letters and
tcleSrans from business hrnls urging the passage
u the Governors direct nominations and telephone
and telegraph measures were met tonight by
food Of teIcerams various legislators urging that
The legislature adjourn hastily. that the states
business interes1s could settle down and get 10
work without fear Of being disturbed. As Senator
Raines insisted that there was an organization pc
hind the first batch o. messages. so there ls
strong suspicion here that TINS new lot was yJot
absolutely spontaneous.
But the notable stroke in this line came to-
night from Mr.. Raines. who has been chafing no
tileaby time the publicity attendant
on the legislative methods designed to defeat the
Governor and the circulating Of literature by var-
Gus organizations which had espoused the Gov
ernore side Of the case lie introduced tonight
and had passed resolution providing that lobby
isis, If whatever kind. should not be permitted 10
circulate literature in the Capitol. This is stroke
al the Citizens Union Of New York, which for
several years has prepared in the Capitol digest
Tor newspaper men Of all bills introduced. with the
special view OF concentrating publicity on any
measure considered dangerous vicious 10y that
organization. In connection with this the Citizens
Union has recently been carrying campaign
in favor Of the Governors direct nominations bill,
handing out statements. copies of speeches ana
other literature.
The Raines resolution was adopted with some
fact. II is not very likely to prevent anything TO
which the anti-Hughes men have been ouJecthS-
As ar indication Of the sentiment here at the mo-
nlcnt is Illuminating
Senator Davis. chairman Of the Judiciary Com
,nitlee which has the telephone and telegraph bill
in charge said tonight i hearing had been set
for April p that measure Hardly moment
after he made that announcement resolution
from the Assembly handed down by the Sen
ate clerk fixing the date OF final adjournment at
Auru y II was referred the Senate Finance
Committee. Any measure naturally which has q
hearing on April - has not a great chance Of pas
sage by April y and the anti-FIughes leaders now
expect 10 tse able to adjourn on that date
In ar effort TO discount the letters received by
him in the last days urging the passage of the
bin putting telephone and telegraph companies
under the supervision of The Public Service com
missions. Senator John Raines to-day made public
copies Of circular which he had obtained. This
vas letter sent by the Board of Trade and
TRANSFORMATION Of New York TO business firms. Urg-
Ing that if they desired telephone companies placed
under proper supervision letters advocating the bin
he sent 10 Lieutenant Governor White Senator
Raires. Speaker Wsdsworth and Assemblyman
Merritt. majority leader in the lower house
I have received number Of letters like the form
suggested in that circular" said Senator Raines;
also number urging the defeat Of the bill. To
me- II Is an instructive and amusing example of
the way public opinion is accelerated OCCASIONALLY
by reformers as well other fellows l am told
that Nr Gardner. who signed the circular, has
made specially Of attacking telephone interests
Tor number OF years. and note that the top of
the letrerhead on which the appeal was sent
bears the name Of William McCarrol. president.
NJ. McCarroH is a member Of the Public Service
Commission for the District. AS my
attitude. I VIII make that clear later. II is only
fair 70 say that have learned that the little local
farmers telephone companies up the state are
unanimously opposed TO this proposition.
Il viii be recalled that Senator Raines some
what early the session took occasion to warn
new members OF the Senate that they needn't mind
letters or telegrams from their constituents over
much. as those manifestations Of wrath usual
X ctured and. however earnest they seemed,
seldom amounted 20 anything when election time
larre round again.