New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-08
Whitman Meets His First
Defeat, but Will Re-
new Fight
Governors Aids in
Scramble for Votes
Candidate Severely Played
for Activities in Behalf
Of Trusts

ALBANY. Sept. Although HE suf-
fcred his first political defeat to-day
when the Senate rejected his nom'na-
ton Of George ". Perkins as head OF
the new state Food Control Commits
sion BY a vote Of % to IS, Governor
Whitman is still determined TO fight
for confirmation OF Mr.. Perkins. The
Governor succeeded in getting p re-
cess until September %, ostens'biy TO
give him time 20 rcsrranGe the mem
5crs Of the food commission, but 1t Is
known he will make another attempt IN
tho interest OF MIR. Perkins.
This was shown by the fight made by
Senator Walters, who led the whitman
forces, in preventing the making or
motion 20 reconsider the vote by when
Nr. Perkins was defeated.
The combination Of "old guard Re
ruhIicars and Tammany Democrats was
stronger than ever to-day against the
Covernor. and Senator Walters charged
tha. the motion 10 reconcur was made
As the result OF q bipartisan agree
mert. Il was the intention OF those
behind tho motion TO defeat u, IN
which case any further attempt 10
bring Nr. PcrLins'S name before the
present Senate would have been spiked.
In stopping this motion Senator Wal
terS keeps the field open TO give MI
Perkins another chance,
Whitman Non Committsl
When Governor Whitman was asked
If he intended to submit the name OF
Perkins again he would not commit
himself.
u don't want to say as to that" was
his replv. This Is a matter that re
oui~eS serious consideration. II VIII
be difficult for me 10 get another man.
md am stIll sincerely of the opinion
that Nh Perkins is the best man lor
the place 90,
Governor Whitman said he did not
believe that Jacob Gould Scnurman. Of
Cornell. and Charles a. Weiting, OF
GcbleskiU, the other two men he named
for the commission. would serve with
ont Mr.. Perkins. The Senate did not
take any action on these two appoint
The Governor gave out this formal
statement:
Il nominated to be president Of this
most important commission the man
who is. believe, the best fitted in the
state 10 perform the important duties.
Nothing IN the decision IN the Sen
SIC even remotely suggested any lack
o. qualification on Nr. PerkinS's part
There are thirty-four Republicans IN
.le Senate. Fourteen Republicans have
united with eleven Tsmmany men 70
defeat the confirmation.
II have nothing ore to say at the
present time
Scramble for Votes
Tong before the Senate recouvened
this morning executive chamber ON
Gals and other lieutenants Of Governor
Whitman in the state eervlce were busy
IL a scramble for votes for Mr. Per-
kins. They met trains on which Sena-
tors were believed TO be coming to Al
bany. and they corraled members in
the elevators and the lobbles. Persua-
sion. threats and all sorts OF promises
ere made 70 win votes for the Gov
s~nor's principal candidate. ihelr &C
tlyities caused Senator Theodore Doug
las Robinson. one Of the most bitter
anti Perkins men. 10 remark during
tine debate that the Senate better ad-
;ourn so that all the "state officials
around here can get back to work.
During the last two days added
Senator Sage, Of Albany, "the mon here
Who we're known to be against Perkins
have been subjected 10 almost ire
eistible pressure. II the promises made
or the second aoor Of the Capitol were
kept they would bankrupt honor itself,
end everybody here knows it,
The activities Of the Whitman Off
ris1e. however, did not change a vote.
Every man who had declared ne would
vote against Mr.. Perkins stood firm, 10
the surprise q some Of the leaders
themselves,
Perkins rensured
During the debate this morning Mr..
Perkins was roundly scored by the fol-
lowers Of Senator Brown and Senator
Robert +. Wagner, the Democratic
leader. Senator Brown declared that
Mr.. Perkins was "irrevocably commit
ted 10 the principle Of trusts and the
monopoly of trade, which has made MIN
Objectionable 10 the producers Of the
tate He pointed out that Mr.. Per
kiuS was one OF the organizers Of the
international Harvester trust, against
which judgment had been secured for
violation Of the antitrust law.
Il believe said Senator Wagner
that gS per cent Of the producers Of the
state feel that Perkins is sntaGoniSuc
10 ,heir interests. that he has not their
welfare ~ heart. and | am convinced
his appointment would cause reduc-
;ion in production, IN which We are all
20 much concerned.
1--WE are here said senator Page,
because Perkins wants this job. There
is feeling throughout the entire state
that Perkins believes he can get any
thing he wants for money, that he can
buy YOU and ne. &c ran his own bust
ness that way, and he used his money
to get political power
Perkins Says Interests