New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
DIX WORRYING TAMMANY
Votes to Defeat BiSseI and
Riggs Slip Away.
RESTS WITH REPUBLICANS
Chairman Barnes Is Away, and
Murphy's Albany Allies Are
Fearful of the Outcome.
[sy Telegraph to The Tribune. !


Albany, Feb. 25.-Strange as IL may seem,
Tammany Halls men here are actually wor-
ried over the situation Governor Dix has
forced by nominating Edward G. Riggs and
Herbert P. Bissell for the vacancies in the
Public Service Commission. 1t is evident
tonight that some Of the votes Tammany
had counted on to beat confirmation OF the
Governors nominees in the Senate have
slipped away. The situation now more
than ever depends on Republican votes, and
they practically depend on the decision Of
State Chairman Barnes
Mr.. Barnes is al present visiting his fam
ily in Florida He is scheduled to return
here about Wednesday. Senator Bracket
told the Republican Senators tonight that
there would be a conference of Republicans
on Wednesday to discuss the RIGGS ana
Bissell appointments. This conference may
become a caucus. Senator Bracket him
self is in favor Of confirming Riggs, and
has no special objection TO Blsseu, al
though he does not believe the majority Of
the Republicans agree with him. Conse-
quently he is not predicting what the con-
ference-or caucus-wil decide. Its de-
cision will be influenced by the opinion OF
Mr. Barnes, who hitherto has been against
confirmation of BisseIl and has not taken
any particular position for Riggs
A strong fight is being put up by the
friends of both men with Republican and
Democratic Senators. All kinds OF wires
are being pulled in their favor. This is
particularly true Of the Riggs nomination,
which is dubbed a Brooklyn Rapid Tran
sit nomination by his Brooklyn opponents
Senator Black, who was hot Sheehan sup
porter In the Senatorial fight last year, Is
leading the fight for Riggs among the
Brooklyn Senators. Indications are to-
night that before he gets through he Will
have most. If not all. Of the Brooklyn Sem
ators with him. Some of them who last
week were against Riggs now are unwil-
ing TO declare themselves. Others say pri-
vately that they think they were mistaken
| in taking a position against him and Will
be willing 10 vote for his confirmation.
The situation. of course, regarding both
nominees is that big financial interests are
| concerned. as well as the politicians. The
| Interborough is known TO be watching the
! fight very closely because Of the subway
| situation in New York City and riggs
alliance with sheehan. II is said here
| that Anthony ~ Brady, who has not been
| without influence in the Democratic party
at various times, would like 10 see Mr..
! Riggs confirmed and that he takes SINH
| lar interest in the Bssell situation. Brady
financial interests are not confined TO
! Brooklyn, where he Is powerful in the
| BROOKLYN Rapid Transit Company. He has
! Iight and power concerns In Albany and Is
OF N
| terprises As the politicians view the
| fight IT is smmering down 10 Brady
sheehan combination behind the Governor
IN opposition 10 Murphy. who would have
6ghtina on his side the Interborough from
It's jealousy Of the 3. r. T
As 10 Bissell, the situation from Muir
| phv's point of view is a little worse than
the Brooklyn affair. Several Of the upstate
Democrats will support Bssell. and natu-
| rally efforts are being made between them
and the Brooklyn supporters OF Riggs TO
pool their interests. A pooling basis has
M, been reached yet but the likelihood of
one il worrying Senator Wagner. Tam
manv's leader, very much. The Buffalo
ORGANIZATIONS opposition to Bisseu does
not seen 10 be as effective as Tammany
rad hoped while Bisselrs Buffalo friends
have turned loose flood Of social influence
TO affect the Senate.
Senator Wagner who came out last week
IN statements against both Riggs and Bis
cell had nothing 10 say tonight except
that the situation was just as 1t stood tnen'
and he did not think he was mistaken m
predicting that neither Riggs nor bisseh
would be confirmed.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold
meeting tomorrow. II the Tammany
men find. after a careful count OF noses
Democratic and Republican that they can
win. they will report out the Riggs and
Risseu nominations and beat them quickly.