New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-07
WHITMAN REVIEWS
DIRECT TAX PLANS
Officials and Bankers Dis
cuss City'S Share in
New Assessment.
AXE READY FOR ALL
OF PRESENT p. S. G..
Governor viii Urge Repeal OF
Alien Labor Law in Strong
Message 10 Legislature.

state finances and matters connected
with the coming reorganization Of tho
Public Service Commission here held
the attention Of Governor Whitman
Yesterday. He returned to Albany last
night. planning 20 continue the consid-
Grafton of both subjects there TINS
week
At a series of conferences, which
we're attended by Lieutenant Governor
Schoeneck also, the question as to JUST
what the financial obligations OF the
state were, and as 20 how great the
direct tax would have to be. were con
sidered. First, there was conference
with Controller Prendergast. represent
ing the city's interest IN the coming
direct tax. Then the Governor ana
Lieutenant Governor talked with Law
ION Purdy. president OF the city TAX
hoard. who brought with MN one or
me lending real estate men OF thS
citv, Finally, there was meeting WIN
a 9roup of bankers, who went over lhe
nitro situation with the Governor ana
suggested wavs in which II might be
possible TO cut down the direct tax as
we'll as methods that might be used IN
co-ordinating the activities OF the sla'e
so as to reduce expenses IN the iuIure'
II may be stated that me Governor >
idea is TO get an entirely new SET OF
commissioners for the Pubic Service
Comuission in this district. William
Hayward. counsel TO the Governor HHo
mas shown his capability for handing
tho inNGSll-
cation of the legislative committee
viii he chairman OF the new body WIN
ont much doubt As for the four other
members of the commission, the Gov
ernor has reached no conclusion. ne
had long talk with William H. Will
cox. former chairman Of the commits
sion. in regard TO various men VINO
nave been suggested.
Candidates Tor p. :. G.
Among those whose names have been
presented to the Governor are NJ. Linn
Rruce and former Representative VIII
am N. Calder. Ii was learned that
oliver c. Semrlc and Cornelius \. Bliss
arc under consideration. The former
: assistant counsel of the Public Ser
,ice Commission, and has been IN us
legal department since ITS orgahlIa-
ton. Mr. Bliss is the son o. the tQr-
mer treasurer Of the Republican Ma
-ional Committee, and since ms
fathers death has been active! en-
Gagged in the management OF the pu''-
ness of Bliss, Fabyan co. -..l -,
Arguments have been presented 10
Tho Governor to the effect that II is
essential that he have at least one man
or the new commission who IS lamIllaT
With all the details of the WORK, ana
hat Travis II. Whitney, who has Deeh
.ecre+arv since the organization OF the
commission, nils this bill completely,
frederick {. Tanner, chairman OF the
Republican State Committee, diG hoC
SOC the Governor, but will go TO AiDany
IN confer with him about the ruolO
Service Commission and oJher matters
tomorrow. H.. &c tl,o
Sneaking Of his consideration oil lhe
financial problems Yesterday inc Wv
ernor said that all the CONFER
,oreed with his figures. showing an IN
dcbtedness of the state of about So
00O OOO "However.' he added, we
bone 10 adjust matters so thaV the
.tate tax will amount 20 not more IMAM
10000 900 or $l2,OOO,Ooo. .....;o,, 81,
ave are facing a grave SITUATION
Mr. Whitman continued. one ioi
,rhicb the present administration -
g., No way responsible. We expect 10
adjust matters so Is 20 improve INC
situation materially. Controller iICH-
jergast and President McAneny Oh me
Roard of Aldermen discussed lhe slT
nation with me IN Albany TINS wen
ON nv invitation, and there Is no" ~
friction between the state ana ''E
officials.
Benefits for This City.
"Soue pcorle think the city does not
- az adequate return for the a
nor cent of the state taxes pald oH
Them. But they forget the city re-
lives lis proportiOnate share OF the
benefits of the various state lhS'''u-
lions" ......, ,,..s tho
one Of the things discussed was the
,,..,, IN which the management or these
institutions might be slmpiiheu 50 90
,n reduce expenditures. The Govern
- anvious to cooperate with the
c,tv officials i'm doing whatever rs III
tis noUer as a state official 70 reduce
,ba Size of the city's budget. lie sara
no wanted to see the Legislature pass
IN The legislation that the city de-
,ired to that end. 49,. 10
Vr Whitman is convinced That ms
FAX bill with minor amendments Poa
.iblv. viii pass the Legislature IN
MO of the opposition OF Controller
T~,yi. to that part which takes away
from bin. the function of collecting
.arroi.. Cd. taxes. III
H.. .....ow night the Governor VIII
send 90 the Legislature a strong me-
,,c ,roiur the immediate repeal oil
10 Lion labor law Strong pressure
has been brought to bear on HIM not
- do this. but he is convinced II lS
absolutely the right move; n
District Attorney Charles a. fer-
Inns had long talk with the Govern
nr in the morning, presumably asking
tho advice Of his predecessor on I'm
nortant matters in his Office