New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-16
Food Bill Beaten
If Gov. Whitman
Insists on Perkins
Republican Legislators
Meet; Bar Proposed
Dictator
rSpenal CorreSpondsncel

ALBANY, Aug. l5.-George ". Per-
kins is eliminated as the possible food
dictator Of the State of New York, II
the Republican Senator'S and Assem-
blymen carry out the determinations
they came to in conference to-day. The
Senator'S in effect served notice on
Governor Whitman that they would
not pass the food bill, for which the
extra session of the Legislature was
called, if he insists on making Perkins
head of the proposed food control com
mission. In the Assembly a control
ling faction Of the rural members de-
clared they would not pass any food
bill, with or without Perkins.
The rural Assemblymen fatty re-
fused to be whipped into line, and
would not even have attended the
meeting of the majority members If
it were insisted that it be a caucus, TO
the action of which they would have
been bound. In fact, they showed such
a stiff upper lip that Governor Whit
man, who has had pretty much his own
way during his three years in Albany,
was taken BIZ surprise. The result is
that ne has on his hands one OF the
worst fights in his political career, one
that more than anything else menaees
his third term aspirations. Further
than saying that the bill will be
passed." the Governor would not dis
cuss the situation.
Legislature at Standstill
In the meantime the sessions of the
Legislature are at a standstIll. Senator
Brown. head OF the War Committee, an
nounced that no definite action will be
taken until next Wednesday afternoon.
This will give Governor Whitman ard
the "old guard" leaders, with whom he
is now lined up, time 70 bring all the
pressure at their command 20 bear on
the recalcitrant country legislators 70
get them 20 vote for their compromise
bill. These Assemblymen, however De
clare that the only pressure they VIII
recognize is that OF their constituents
Senator Wagner, the pemocrstie
leader, announced to-day that he VII.
introduce in the Senate the Original
Whitman bill. which Minority Leader
Callahan has already put IN tre Assem-
bly. Had ne stuck TO this bill the Dem
ocrats saw they would have supported
the Governor in a f!ght on the Repub-
lican "old guard" But the Democrats
now take the position that the Governor
has submitted 10 a compromise hlll so
loaded down with red tape that II VIII
have little or no effect in putting the
food spectators out of business.
Perkins Eliminated
The means Of preventing the appoint
ment of Perkins as head OF the 1000
control council is through an amend
ment to the compromise bill, which In
eject would make ineligible to the com
mission any person connected with
company manufacturing or dealing IN
harvesting machinery. II was submit
ted 10 both the Senate and Assembly
Republican conferences. In the Assem-
blv conference SO out Of ~ members
voted against any food legislation
while the others did not commit them
selves.
Speaker Sweet finally asked the re-
ealcitrants II they would vote Tor the
bill with Perkins eliminated. Only
seven said they would, leaving twenty
nine who will refuse 20 vote for any
food bill, with or without Perkins. IL
these twenty-nine hold out. not enough
votes can be secured to pass the bill
without Democratic help.
In the Senate conference eleven mem
hers voted against Perkins. eleven we're
doubtful, and only six Newton, Wal
tiers, Wicks, Whitney. George F. Thomp-
son and Hewitt-votsd for Perkins. The
New York members were doubtful, ex-
cent Ottinger. who was against Per-
kins.
Farmers Attitude
After the conferences Samuel Fraser,
the representative of the farmers or
ganzation, said that the Legislators
should now do "a good Job By refusing
70 pass the bill. which would permit
Perkins 10 become market commission
or of New York City"
Senator Brown admitted tonight that
the prospective nomination Of Perkins
held up the passage Of the food bill.
but expressed the opinion that without
him the bill could be enacted.