New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-29
PASS CONSERVATION BILL
Senate Approves Measure by
Vote of 80 to 5.
NO PARTY LINE DIVISION
Action Taken After a Debate
Lasting the Greater Part
of the Day.
rpv Telegraph 70 The Tribune ]

Albany June &-By vote Of IS to 8 the
Senate this evening passed the Wagner
conservation bill' after a debate lasting
al, dav. Though the measure wipes ont a
Republican board and involves a new
scheme Of handling state business OF vast
,mportance there was no division along
party lines. Senators Cobb. Heacock. Hin
man, Sage and Wainwright. Republicans,
voted against II, all because they could not
agree with certain specific provisions in the
hill The Assembly Rules COMMITTEES to-
night reported this bill for consideration In
the Assembly tomorrow.
This measure creates a conservation de-
partment. consolidation of the Forest. Fish
and Game Department. the Water Supply
Commission. the Forest Purchasing Board
and the commissioners OF water power on
the Black River. Three hureaus-one for
forestry and state lands. one for fish and
game matters and one for water supply and
water storage questiens-wll handle the
business Of the new department. COM
missioner at $4,000 a year will be in charge
OF each bureau.
Debate over this measure embraced al
most everything but the merits OF the bHl
This was due TO two things-the fact that
Senator Bracket early introduced the
political question. and the further fact that
hardly Ave Senators had glanced at the
bill It was accepted as one Of the bills
to be passed-an Organization measure.
and under the circumstances what was the
use Of reading IT or knowing about It?
Senator Wagner. whose name the bill
H. .et<
that most OF the credit for II was due "a
Senator Ferris. who had labored long over
the measure Senator Wagner then eX-
planned that the bill was designed 10 stimu-
late and develop manufacture. to facilitate
trade and transportation. to preserve pub
lie health and prevent disease. and 10 main
tain natural beauty and scenic effect. He
tain nature had been bountiful IN rich gifts
10 this state. but the state so far had
failed TO take advantage Of them.
Senator Bracket admitted that the pur-
pose Of the bill was laudable. hut said the
dominant political force IN the state.
Tammany Hall" :ould not take M even 50
benehoent proposition az this without
putting forth It's horrd claws" He said
II was all right FOR Tammanv 20 steal
1000" but IL shouldn't steal 100000 lie
offered an amendment cutting the commits
sioncrs from three 10 one
Senator Grady served notice that while
the Republicans might present amendments
the Democrats wouldn't accept any o,
them This. Bracket snid showed the
sodden temper" % the majority. and
GRADY retorted that neither their temper
nor their conduct wa. up N that ~ the
Republicans I'm their palny DAYS OF control
THIS was merely a preliminary 10 tho vo'
ing down o. the Bracket amendment lie
promptly presented another that the en-
ployes r. the commission. except lsborers.
should be under civil service regulations
This brought down a lorg debate on civil
service. in which Grady declared i, was a
rank failure. and a bad thing for the state
"a hubbub 10 put the wrong man IN the
rieht place"
on a rollcal this amendment vas los,
8 10 p Senator Bracket then tried a
third time. providing tina, instead ~ giving
special counsel 10 the conservation com
mission the Attorney General act as coun.
sci This. ne said. was the purest Demo
cratic doctrine, and entirely IN line with
the DIX brand OF economy. But the Demo
cratic Senator refused 10 accept "
The Senate passed the Bayne bill estab'
fishing a public employment bureau in th'
State Labor Department 10 be presided
over by deputy commissioner. az salar,
not exceeding $500. and two assistants
with salaries not exceeding 5000 each. Pro
vision IL made for branch of'1ces IN New
York, Buffalo. Rochester Syracuse. Al
hany, Ringharton, Watertoun and corn
ing
busy day IS forecast for the Senate 10
morrow. The Levy election bill. whics
squeezed through the Assembly yesterday
without a single vote 70 spare. Will come
I'D on special order In tho morning. and al
soon as II is disposed OF the St!lwell WON
an suffrage resolution Is scheduled fo'
consideration