New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-13
HALT EMERGENCY
POLICE MEASURE
Minority Members of the
Legislature Hold Up
Water Guard
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Albany, Feb. 12-0pposition that
seemed almost entirely political acted
tonight to block. temporarily at least,
the passage of a bill intended to re-
licye the state militiamen from the
duty of guarding New York City's
water supply in the Catskill Mountains.
The bill was introduced by Senator
Lockwood, of Kings, and Assemblyman
Marsh, of Manhattan, as a result Of a
conference in New York on Saturday
between Mayor Mitchell and Governor
Whitman. 1t provides for an amend
ment ~ the charter that would enable
the immediate creation Of an emer-
gency police force to guard the water
supply in situations like the present.
The bill states that whenever the
Mayor shall certify to the Police Com
missioner. with the Governors APP
proval, that an emergency exists re-
quirinc additional protection for the
security Of life and the prevention and
repression of disorder in the vicinity
of the water supply property owned or
controlled by New York City. the Police
Commissioner shall appoint such num-
Der of men TO act as emergency police
men for the purpose above stated
within such counties as the Mayor, in
his judgment, shall direct
Measure Up Again To-day
Governor Whitman, before leaving
Albany for Cleveland, had sent an
emergency message to the Legislature
certifying 20 the necessity for immedi-
ate passage of Senator Lockwood's
measure. and the bill was advanced to
third reading without reference to
committee Robert F. Wagner and
Assemblyman Joseph NJ Callahan, mi
nority leaders, asked for time TO con-
slider the provisions of the bill. At
the suggestion OF Senator Brown and
by similar action in the lower house
the message and the bill were laid
over until tomorrow morning.
The Lockwood bill does not specify
the number Of men that may be sp-
pointed emergency policemen. That is
left to the city authorities. IL fixes a
minimum salary of $1,000 per annum.
but specifically provides that the force
thus created shall be only temporary
and that the members Of it shall not
be entitled to pensions, civil service
protection or other privileges OF the
regular force. It is also provided that
the force shall be dissolved whenever
the Mayor certihes that the emergency
for which il was created has ceased to
exist
Assemblyman Callahan said that his
objection was based on the belief that
the Board of Water Supply, headed by
John +. Calvin. a Democrat, which con-
ha
given power to increase that force for
guarding the city's watersheds. It is
almost certain that the bill will be
forced through, in spite of the Tam
many opposition.
Difficulty in getting motion picture
magnates to appear before the legis-
lative investigating committee resulted
IN an extension of one months time
20 investigate whether the movie in
dustry should be taxed. The commit
tee will now make its final report on
March Is instead Of February Is.
Engel May Escape Arrest
The Assembly received a resolution
introduced by Heber II. Wheeler, the
chairman of the committee, declaring
in contempt of the Legislature Joseph
w. Engel, treasurer of the Metro Pict-
ures Corporation, because of his failure
60 obey "A subpoena TO appear before
the committee at the Murray Hill Ho-
tel February 9. The resolution called
for his arrest and summons before the
Assembly by the sergeant-at-arms.
Chairman Wheeler, however, asked
that the resolution be laid on the ia
bic pending the next meeting of the
committee at the Murray Hill Hotel,
Wednesday morning.
III Mr.. Engel does not appear before
the committee then" he said, 81 shall
press the resolution for adoption
Should ne appear. ! shall ask permits
sion to withdraw it,"
Mr.. Wheeler said that two big film
companies had been recalcitrant in
answering the committee subp9nas be-
sides Mr.. Engels company One Of
them is the Fox Film Corporation, but
Chairman Wheeler said William Fox.
the head of it, had declared he would
Try to get permission TO appear from
his board Of directors. Mr.. Wheeler
would not yet give out the name Of the
third company, on the ground that its
officers had promised to obey the com
mittee's mandates.
In a preliminary report submitted to
the Assembly tonight the committee
stated that many representatives OF
the movie industry at first objected 20
the investigation, on the ground that
the LeRislatufe was acting beyond its