New-York tribune., 1909-03-24
AN ANTI-HUGH HE'S PLAN
TO SLAUGHTER BIG BILLS.
State Committee Probably WI
Keep ont of Limeight.
nv Telegraph to TIL. Tribune. ]


AlbanS March Eff the Republican state organ
ization has no concerted plans for killing Governor
Hughes's direct nomination bill, as State Chairman
Woodruff declared last night anti-Hughes men in
the Legislature and more particularly in the AS
semply have about perfected q plan in great de-
tail This includes only the death Of the direct
nomina tons bill and the New York City charter
but Of the Public Service legislation. so far as 1t
would put telephone and telegraph companies under
the Jurisdiction OF the commission AS a sort Of
Offset if the ant-Hughes leaders had their way
they would pass some sort OF legislation stiHenlns
existing primary laws a bit and the proposed
amendments to the existing Public Service COM
missions laws.
1t seems probable that the state committee will
be kept of the limeight far as possible In
the fight which will be waged against Governor
Hughes's legislation. Already the professional
politicians have seen in various quarters Of the
indications of restivenes the part OF the
plain voters the activity Of certain leaders
against the Governor and the direct primary DILL
The machSery OF the state comnitte has been used
in spreading broadcast anti-drect nominations
literature but evidently Chairman Woodruff and
his advisers have determined that it would be wise
to obtrude their antagonism toward the Gov
ernor too prominently on the public.
Within the Legislature. though there exists a
different situation, and recognized antHUghes men.
supported and aoetted by their political leaders
will wage the fight. 1t will be a battle all along
the line, sparing no measure which under fairly
liberal construction could be deemed to bear
Hughes label The Governor is known to desire
keenly have the entire scheme of public service
legislation adopted this year. well the direct
nominations bill, End IS believed to deem a new
charter for New York City eminenty desirab BILE
The Assembly last year, led by the Speaker, in
the Rules Committee killed the telephone and tele-
graph amendments. II Is predicted now by
anti Hughes men that these amendments will be
killed in the Committee Electricity. Gas and
Water Supply. The other public service amendments
were referred to the Judiciary Committee. and
tnlar 1Har,T fafd-
phone companies upstate are said to be violently
opposed the commissions taking control
of telephones, and the telegraph companies never
have relished the idea.
AS affairs stand now, the anti Hughes leaders.
after informal polls figure that they have control
OF the Republicans in each house. That would
insure caucus action against the direct nonnina-
uons bill, though splitting the Republican majority
wide open From to-day's developments, that plan
is under serious consideration The who would
vote against any Hughes primary reform bill are
counting holding with them the men without
prejudice the subject, but who dislike some
feature other embodied in the bill. 1t is
the doubt whether they could hold those men
which is making them go slowly and carefully.
Senator Agnew. for instance. to-day declared that
he did not like OF the features of the Hin
man-Creen bill.
But II it comes to proposition either OF sup
porting the Governor opposing him." said he. Il
shall vote for this bill matter what II contains
His adyersaries are very foolish in the campaign
they conducting. because they will force many
Of US into exactly that position. Many people are
with Governor Hughes. and don't intend see
him moCIed ridicued"
II finally the anti Hughes decide they
try out the plans with success they will force a
comparatively early adjournment. Financial af-
fairs in such condition that in any an
adjournment hardly could be taken before April Is
or along toward May l. The earlier date leaves
almost month for the spreading Of the Hughes
propaganda. and the Governor before now has ac-
complished much in a month. There is little doubt
expressed here that II the Legislature adjourned
without passing the direct nominations bill and the
telephone and telegraph legislation the Governor
would summon extra session. at which these sub
jec's would be presented for consideration anew.
Therefore. there is much speculation the Gov
ernors opponents about when the Wall Street COM
mission appointed by the Governor last year will
make It's report They fear lest that at time
and with such teral TO make IL worth OK
ira session for its consideration Also, they know
that much a legislator diskes extra session,
for which he additional paw the Govern
has the slightest prejudice against them, and
they fear that the average citizen has notion the
legislators should complete their work each year as
& along