The sun., 1910-02-15
THE ASSEMBLY VILLGOAHEAD
TO TAkE THE INITIATIVE ON
ALL IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
senator wagner Owers . Resolution ASK.
Ing Senator Elihu Root 60 Address
the Legislature In March In Answer
TO Huwhes's Income TAX Message.

Ing Senator Elihu Root 60 Address
the Legislature On March In Answer
TO Huwhes's Income Tax Message.
ALBANY, Feb. l4.-Spealxer Wadsworth
tonight that the Aids trial
in the Senate was not to be permitted TO
interfere with the progress OF legislation
in the lower branch Of the Legislature.
He said that steps would be taken imme-
diately 20 have the Assembly take the
initiative on all important pending ques-
tions OF legislation, such as the proposed
New York city charter. primary reform
the short ballot and kindred legislation
and the public servicepaw amendments.
including telegraph and telephone super
vision. He said that the FIRST question TO
come up probably would be the New York
city charter. which was about half COM
pleted
This announcement does not neces-
sariy mean that the Assembly is going
to take favorable action on all these
measures. but merely that these inpor-
tant questions are to be brought before
the House for consideration and dis
position without waiting for the initiative
to be taken by the Senate, as has been
the case in other years.
The Democrats tried to make political
capital tonight through the introduo-
tion by Senator Wagner OF n resolution
inviting United States Senator Elihu
Root to address the Legislature in the
first week in March on the Taft income
tax constitutional amendment.
Acting Majority Leader George A.
Davis asked that the resolution be referred
TO the Judiciary Committee
Senator Newcomb thought this action
was appropriate as his resolution asking
the Legislature to reject the proposed
constitutional amendment had been re-
ferred to that committee.
Senator Grady came TO Senator Wag-
ners assistance and had the resolution
amended by making it concurrent, thus
sending il over under the rules until to- I
morrow for consideration, when II Will be !
referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Senators Grady and Hinman had a |
little fun over the proposition OF the !
Democrats accepting suggestions from
Senator Root on any question. senator
Grady insisted that as Elihu Root in the |
past had been the spokesman OF the !
Administration in 1he Empire |
State at crucial moments. IL was appro- |
pirate that the Legislature should give |
him an opportunity to address II in answer
to Gov. Hughes's special message in op- |
position to this new policy Of the Repubh-
can Administration at washington.
Minority Leader Frisbie in the As
sembly took his turn also in poking fun
at a one time Republican leader Ben
iamin B. Odell, Jr.. when he was Governor.
had passed legislation raising sufficient
revenues annually from indirect taxa-
direct State tax. provided portion of
the treasury surplus was used each year.
Recently as an after dinner speaker IN
New York city Mr.. 0dell said he was
to confess that the abolition
Of the direct State tar had had the eject
TO increase local tax rates.
Reciting this remark OF Mr.. Odeli MIR.
Frisbie Tonight introduced resolu-
ton. continuing:
Whereas so decided change OF view
on the part OF MIR. .Odell Nhe abolition of
the direct State tax having been the chief
policy OF his administration as
Governor must have been the result Of
careful igation and mature c0nsidera
tion: and whereas the rapidly increasing
cost OF the State Government makes II
probable that new taxation. either direct
or indirect. for State purposes must soon
be imposed q. .,..
be directed to send respectful communi~i
cation to ex-CIov. Odell, asking him. on
Wavs and Means Comnrittee ali data which
he may have bearing on the relative ad-
vantaRes OF direct and indirect State taxa
tion
Under the rules the resolution went
over until next Monday night
Charging that one New York state |
insurance company doing an industrial |
business has been so favored under the |
Hughes insurance laws as to be practically |
exempt. Assemblynan Edmund O'Con- !
nor Of Kings asked the adoption by the |
Assembly OF resolution calling on the ,
insurance super intendent 10 explain al |
legged scandalous excess charges Of 20 I
or 20 per cent. and providing for the /
appointment of a joint legislative COM !
mittee TO investigate industrial insurance |
The resolution was referred to the Ways !
and Means Committee.
Assemblyman RJyiand Dem Man
hattanl has bill requiring an automobile !
owner when registering with the Secre- |
tary OF State to file q 81 600 surety bond |
conditioned to pay damages caused w |
negligence.
Minority Leader Frisbie and former
Minority Leader Oliver disagreed to-
night over the advancement OF bill |
of Assemblyman Deland OF Madison, |
$50 900 for the construction,
equipment and improvements of the
State School Of Agriculture and Domestic
Science at MorrisVille. Mr. OliverSthouRht
the State was spending too much money
for these colleges Mr. Frisbie il n
farmer from Schoharie and he insisted
that the money was well spent. Ma
jority Leader Merritt also put in a good
word for the colleges. The bill went TO
third reading and will be passed to-