New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-16
Cost and Metropolitan
Character of Measure
Bring Opposition
APPOINTIVE LIST
ALARMS CHANGERS
Fear Dillon and Wilson
May Be Retained Only
Short Period

From a Stan Correspondent Of The Tribunel
Albany, Feb. 15.-Contrary to expec-
tations, the food and market bill which
has been drafted by the Wieks COM
mittee in cooperation with George W.
Perkins's food price Investigators has
aroused vigorous opposition in its pres
ent form. The bill introduced to-day
has been held up for week for
changes in its administrative provi-
sions."
Rumors Of opposition by influential
legislative leaders and upstate farmers
led TO the decision to make the changes
Although the bill is designed to be
helpful to the farmers, theirs, IT IS
said, will be the strongest opposition.
Two reasons are assigned for this
attitude. In the first place, the new
Department of Agriculture, Foods and
Markets will be a far more expensive
institution than the present combined
cost Of operating the departments
which it will absorb and will be en-
tirel, incommensurate with the bene-
fits it can bestow in the way Of re-
ducing the cost Of living. Secondly,
according to legislators in touch with
the farmer sentiment, the new depart
meLt will have too much of the met
ropolitan character about it.
First Of Objections
The first objection is based on the
follo- facts. not contained in the
conn $ printed summary; Each
of the ave appointive commissioners
is scheduled TO receive salary OF
$4,000 a year. The secretary will get
$4,000, with $4,000 for counsel. Each
commissioner will also have broad
powers Of appointment Of at least one
deputy, chemists and other assistants.
There will always be corps OF IN
spectors, estimated at twice as large
as anv Of the three departments 10
be assumed by the new department.
The bill states there may be appointed
as many inspectors as deemed neces-
sary.
In the second place, the farmers, 1t
is stated. believe they are already bur
dened by too much regulation and con-
tend that under the new department
Having been won over more or less
TO the Dillon idea, the farmers viii
not welcome an administration with
Perkins at the head and other officials
who they think are imbued more with
the metropolitan interests of the city
consumers than those Of the farmers,
several legislators say.
The summary of the bill stated that
no attempt had been made 20 provide
for price fixing by the state. II is said
here that the farmers believe that un-
less that is res0rted 20 (and they OBJ
iect to any such novel the intention
OF the drafters Of the bill 10 reduce
the cost Of living will be futile.
Political Opposition
Another phase Of the opposition is
political. The bill explained that
Charles S. Wilson, present Commits
sioner Of Agriculture, and John j.
Dillon, present Commissioner Of
the Department Of Foods and Mar
kets, were TO be two Of the first five
appointive commissioners. These two
are retained, but not for long after
their present terms expire, and there
after the Governor may use his APP
pOintiye power as he pleases.
II was ascertained to-day that infu-
ences in the Legislature are opposed
10 Wilson. He is a professor in Cor
nell University, and he cannot be
moved By pleas 20 relax in the inforce-
ment OF the agricultural law. Dillon
is known 20 be friendly to the farmers
upstate, especially the dairymen, whose
cause he has always eSpOused. 1t IS
admitted that 20 Gust Dillon would be
foolhardy politically, while getting rid