New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-17
Citizens Union Joins in Fighting
Measure to Create Public
Welfare Commission.
SUNDAY OPENING ATTACKED
William B. Ellison Leads Forces
Who Object to Permitting
Sale of Liquor on Sab
bath Afternoons.
10y Telegraph to The Tribune.

amendments were offered to the va
rious bills introduced as a result of the
graft and vice situation in New York
which had a hearing tonight before
the Senate Cities Committee.
The Wagner bill creating a public
welfare commission to control gam
bling and disordcrly houses was
favored by the Citizens Committee.
represented by Robert s. Binkerd and
Allan Robinson. They wanted several
changes, ore making the members OF
the commission removable and allow
ing the Board of Alderman TO prefer
charges and another taking away some
Of the control given to the board over
tho commission.
The bill was opposed by the Rev.
DR.. Walter Laidlaw, representing the
Federation Of Churches, and j. ..
Hammitt, secretary Of the Citizens
Union. Dr. Laidlaw declared the
measure would take away from the
Sheriff his powers over gambling
houses and was therefore unconstitu-
tional. He said his organization would
take steps to have 1t declared uncon-
stitutional if IT were enacted.
Senator Wagner replied that II was
not the intention to take away any oi
the Sheriff's powers, the bill merely
transferring to the proposed commits
sion some of the functions Of the Po-
lice Department
IL do not think it advisable, SAID Dr.
I.aidlaw. Ito take the control over
gambling and disordcrly houses from
the police. | believe the rank and hle
of the police are honest and that we
should not put on them the odium OF
transferring their powers. We should
place the responsibility for the present
situation in the city where II belongs
on the men on top. Take the police
from politics and lengthen the term of
the Police Commissioner
Declare Bill Unwse.
Mr.. Hammitt quoted opinions from
many high authorities on conditions III
New York CITY, such as eX-Police Com
missioncrs Bingham. McAdoo and Crop
scy. Assistant District Attorney Moss
and ex-Mayor Mcclellan. all Of whom
declared the Wagner bill unwise. He
said the bill was universally con-
demncd. and that 30 take from the po-
lice jurisdiction over places which
cause the greatest percentage OF crime
was an unhcard Of folly. He objected
20 a mandf .ory state law, such as the
Wagner BIZ drawn in opposition to the
recommendation OF the Curran COM
mittoc. saving that the situation ought
10 he put up TO the local authorities 10
determine.
Mr.. Hammitt also objected 10 certain
features OF the Nclte bill, giving 10 the
MAYOR and boards Of Aldermen and Es-
innate tho rover TO make local ordi-
nanccs affecting the Police Depart
mont. supcrscdlnS existing provisions
Of the charter and state laws. lie held
that il should give the local authorities
power over pensions and To rcarrango
salary schedules.
John Griffin. OF Buffalo. appearing
for the State Patrolmcns Association.
said the Ncltc bill would give the
New York City authorities power TO
override the state three platoon law.
He called attention TO the fact that
this law was enacted - the result OF
pledge in the Democratic platform
OF 1908
AGAINST Sunday Opening.
The bill to allow Sunday opening OF
saloons IN New York city had a
hearing this afternoon before the Sen