New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-04
Considers 1t Not Only Fu-
tile, but in Interest of
Storage Warehouses
Measure of His Own
Will Be Introduced
Expected to Campaign Up.
state to Convince Farmers
They Will Not Suffer

From a stan Correspondent Of The Trtbunel
Albany, Aug. 3.-Governor Whitman
is prepared for war with the Degisla-
ture on the proposed food control Dill.
After studying the measure tonight
with his counsel, Franklin B. Lord, and
comforting with prominent citizens and
legislators at the Executive Mansion
the Governor let it be known that he
considered the proposed bill entirely
inadequate TO meet the food situation.
His advisers said he was fighting
mad" and was determined TO put his
own bill through the Legislature, in
Guiding the power of appointment OF
the Food Commissioners by the Gov
ernor.
It is understood the Governor feels
that under the bill introduced by the
War Committee of the Legislature last
night il is not only a futile measure
to accomplish any real food control in
the state, but that it was designedly
framed to kill all food legislation, and
is in the interest of the storage ware
house operators. One of the con-
ferrees at the Executive Mansion de-
clared it amounted almost to a legal
retainer"
Colonel Roosevelt's declination Ok
service as a member Of the proposed
food commission was read at the Exec
utve Mansion with great deal of
satisfaction. The Governors frien DIS
considered the Colonel's statement as
II in
forces. The Governor will muster his
army in the Legislature for big drive
between now and ednesday night, when
the lawmakers meet again to consider
food legislation. Mr. Whitman will
have a brand new bill introduced at
that time.
Confers No Real Powers
Those close to the Governor pointed
out tonight that a close study and in
depreciation Of the proposed bill showed
that il gave the food commission no
real powers. They declared that only
IN case Of famine or deprivation could
the commission be expected 10 buy and
sell food products. and then not until
the municipal authorities affected had
called upon them for aid, and the con-
sent of the Federal authorities had
been obtained. Such power was sham
and a subterfuge, they asserted
The very title Of the bill was sim
possible" they said. 1t provides for
the more effectual extension TO the
State of New York of the policy of the
national government"
How could the state be expected to
know what the policies Of the Federal
III
such definite policies existed, as Con-
gress had been in session for months
and as yet had passed no food bill
The Governor Is expected to cam
paign upstate for food control. He
will speak in Sodus, and probably Chau.
tauqua early next week. His upstate
friends are anxious for him TO explain
his food control bill TO the farmers to
show them that il is not his intention
in any way to infringe upon their
rights The farming element have op.
posed drastic food legislation from the
start.
Resent Usurpation of Powers
Colonel Roosevelt, Morgan ]. O'Brier
and James w. Wadsworth, the three
commissioners suggested by the Wal
NOiIlliiLttS VI bIN LcH arc mus
satisfactory to the Governor and hi:
friends, but they resent, as much a!
anything, that in naming them the Ole
Guard legislators not only exceeded
their powers, but used that method tC
keep George W. Perkins off the com
mission.
The Governors friends believe thai
Mr. Perkins knows more about fooc
regulation than any one else in tbs
state. They feel that the farmers
prejudice against Mr.. Perkins would
soon be overcome after he was mem
Der of the commission.
Speaker Sweet of the Assembly, anC
other Republican leaders in the Legis
lature explained to-day that the nam
ing of the commissioners by the Legis
lature should not be construed as any
reflection on the Governor. Mr.. Sweet
said they were named in the hope that
the high type Of men chosen would aid
in the passage of the measure to which
there is tremendous opposition up.
state"