New-York tribune., 1911-03-01
HIGHWAY BILL BLOCKED
Governor Dix's Favorite Measure
Still Awaits Amendments.
[Ry Telegraph % The Tribune. ]

Albany, Feb. 2s-Further complications
developed TO-DAY I'm the checkered career
of Governor Dix's bill abolishing the state
Highway Commission and substituting for
It another kind Of commission, composed
Of Democrats. Tne Assembly and Senate
Internal Affairs committees were scheduled
10 consider amendments designed TO de
Tarmanyize' The bill az II now stands, but
neither committee took NJ the subject.
The reason for this lnaction. as publicly
given hy the chairmsn Of the tuo ccm-
mittees is that the amendments are rot
nuite ready. really the reason Is said 70
be desire on the part of the organization.
or regular" Democrats-those in syrnpa-
thy with Tammany--to carry out a scheme
which would nullify any projected de-
Tsmmanyizng Of the proposed new high
vav board
Following the hearing on this measure,
which was fathered hv Senator Murtagh
and Assemblyman Collin and drawn by
Professor Charles a Colltr-CIovernor
Dixs bill drafter In ex'raordinary--n1uch
opposition 70 ~ sprang up among anti
Tsmmany Democrats In and out OF the
Legislature. This was based on the fact
that the State Engineer and the Super,n-
tendent Of Public Works were to be men,
bers Of the proposed commission. with full
voice and vote IN matters OF policy, the
adoption Of plans and Specifications and
the dispensing OF patronage. The state
Engineer was TO have charge Of preparing
rlans and specifications.
The Assembly committee is trying to 20
very slowly in making changes in the pres
hfch-- a,,I be
which would turn road building and road
contracts over to Tammany Hall The SEN
ate committee so far has tried 10 hurry
action cn the Governors proposition even
on the original bill 10 which so many
Democrats OBJECTED.
II is said that the present scheme OF ths
regulars is 10 have the Senate COMMITTEES
report the bill soon with amendments not
especially distasteful 10 Tammany. and
have the Senate adopt IT. While the bill.
when sent to the Assembly, should not
drally be feferred 10 the Committee on
Internal Affairs, II might be referred 10
another committee controlled by Tammany
nell. the WAYS and Means Committee. for
example. on the ground that it has 20 do
with expenditure of state funds
Such q scheme was considered when the
ternal Affairs Committee was not entire
Is in sympathy with the original bill and
pas refusing 70 rush II 70 passage. Hav-
ing taken II out Of the hands OF the in
surgert Republican combination in the COM
mittee. the regulars would find II fairly
easy 10 pass the kind Of measure they
wanted in the lower house. for the in
surgents haven't showed backbone enough
a. any time 70 make fight on the floor
of either house on any legislation Tam
many men say also they are certain that
Governor Dix would not refuse TO sign
their bill If they got n through the Lesis-
lature.
Both Senate and Assembly committees
are scheduled 70 have another meeting OF
THURSDAY 10 consider the amendments. The
Assembly committee, BY insisting on
Joint session with the Senate COMMITTEES
and discussing all amendments there, NAY
BE- able to block Tammanys plans.