New-York tribune., 1916-01-17
But Republicans Plan 10
Bunch Approprla-
ton Bills.
AGREE TO CHANGE
IN FISCAL YEAR
Governor May Decide TO Fight
the Legislature for
the Measure.

frro, S,s- Correspondent ~ Tho rrewel
Albany, Jan Is. Governor Whit
mans plans .or state budget have
been rejected by the Republican lead
ors Of the Senate. Instead the Senate
leaders plan 20 pass the appropriation
bills in the same old way but with a
unanimity of sction that will allow the
Governor to hove all OF the bills before
him at one and the same time.
The Governors plan for changing the
fiscal year from October l 10 July l Of
this year has also been side-tracked.
Instead, the Republican leaders Of the
Senate are planning 20 make the ap-
propriation bills this year carry ap-
preparations %, only nine months, thus
changing the beginning Of the fiscal
wear to July /. 1917, instead Of July
this year. as asked By Governor Whit
man.
Senator SAGE. chairman Of the FL
nance Committee. in discussing the
latter. declared that 10 change the fiscal
YEAR TO next July would bring chaos in
the Controller Office lie agreed with
the idea. he SAID. that the beginning Of
the fiscal year should be moved closer
to the legislative session.
Senators Firm in Course.
Criticism for any action the Legis-
lature NAV take 10 make this years ap-
propria;ions fcr nine months only is
not feared by the chairman Of the FL
nance Committee.
There will be nothing secret about
il he said. when the bills come up
before the Senate l will explain on the
goor that thew provide appropriations
for only nine months. The opinion IS
unanimous that the beginning Of the
fiscal wear should be moved closer to
the legislative session, and this Is the
quickest and oes, way Of doing It,
Governor Whitman, in his message to
the LEGISLATURE. recommended single
budget bin. : measure carrying out
the Governors ideas accompanied the
message. ana men on intimate terms
With the Execluve declared that he was
going 20 fch. for 1t to the limit. lie
had no obiecucns TO reductions beng
made. il was said, but under no cir
.-',,-s,orccs would he consent 10 IN
In view Of this stand for real hnan-
o;ai reforrn. o'.lcial Albany is wonder
INC how Governor Whitman Will take
tbe plan of the Senate leaders. AS
viewed here, he has no alternative IL
he swallows the Senate pan II VIII
,oe.n io effect that his recommends
tons did not have suI1cient merit 70
warrant their ;doptio.. by the Leglsia-
ture. while the only other course is 10
fght.
Fight Might Revive Prestige.
A fight between the Governor and the
LEGISLATURE over financial reform WouiG
proye Interesting Just nov, and wouid
I,itbo,,. 6oubr nave the effect of revlv-
ING much Of The Governors Iost pres
tige as "a parry leader. II he asserts
himself and demands the Iessage OF
single budget bin II is quite apparent
that he VIII Rave the people OF the
sta.e hack OF him. His message and
its accompanying bill met CORDIAL re-
cenron. and .t now remains Tor MIN 70
back them u1.
The Governor. Il he decides 10 fight
for his rranci4l reforms, can DO u ln
simple hut most effective way; RE
could serve notice on the Legislature
that under no circumstances viii ne
sign any old-style appropriations meas
ures. if the legislators ignored TINS
warning he could reject the financial
measures when they came to HIM and
tber call the Legislature in. special
session ana once more demand real IL
nancial reform. ,,
None of the state departments would
be seriously inconvenienced by sGch
course. There Is no doubt that II the
Governor made this perfectly PLAIN lie
can win out, for the additional reason
that any thought OF a fight or an extra
session this year would give the lead
ers d great shock. -,...-
viii the Governor fight? This ques-
tion has been asked many times since
the opening Of the Legislature. one
can only wait and see. 1t won't De
long. because this year, every one
wants to get away from Albany early