New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-23
Governor to Insist on His
Choice for Admins
traitor
Insurgents Weakening
Party Whip Seems to Have
Had Its Effect During
Recess

ALBANY, Aug. 22.-The appointment
Of George w. Perkins as head Of the
proposed State Food Control Commits
sion is apparently the only stumbling
block to the passage tomorrow by
the Legislature of the food bill sought
by Governor Whitman. Elon R.
Brown, majority leader Of the Senate
and chairman of the War Committee,
insists that Mr.. Perkins should elm
mate himself from the situation, and
some Of the Republican leaders in the
Senate express doubt that his appoint
ment could be confirmed by the Sem
ate. Governor Whitman, however, ac-
cording to the best information, is de-
termined on the appointment Of Mr..
Perkins.
"If Mr.. Perkins wants TO do SER
vice TO his country" said Senator
Brown, "he should enlist right now.
1t would be a patriotic thing for him
to step aside in this food situation.
The upstate people do not want him"
The friends Of the Governor, on the
other hand, are confident that the food
bill not only can be passed, but that
Perkins, should he be nominated, would
be confirmed by the Senate.
After Governor Whitman was in
formed this afternoon Of the state
ment Of Senator Brown he said: This
is no time for personalities. The only
way this fight will be settled is by
passing the bill as it is"
Whitman Is Determined
This assertion by the Governor Is
taken as an indication that he will
brook no interference with his power TO
appoint the food control commission
and that he is still determined to sp-
point Perkins.
The insurgent Republican rural leg
islators, who held out against the food
bill last week, showed signs Of the eff
feet of the party whip on returning to
Albany to-day. The call of the various
county bosses to his aid by Governor
Whitman had the desired effect so far
as the passage of the bill is concerned,
but their Willingness to stand for Per-
kins is still in doubt. 1t is expected
that this will be settled at con-
ference Of Republican legislators to-
morrow morning.
Both houses of the Legislature held
perfunctory sessions to-day and ad-
journed until tomorrow morning. In
the Assembly, where the principal fight
against the food bill is expected, there
were present only q Republicans and
II Democrats. Speaker Sweet told
those present that he had sent tele-
grams to all the others TO be In AL
bany tomorrow and TO be prepared to
finish up the business Of the extra ses-
sion. He advised the members to
bring their dinners with them. because
he would insist on tn. session. being
completed this week.
At conference this afternoon Speak
er Sweet assured Governor Whitman
that he had enough votes to pass the
proposed food bill. The Speaker, how
ever, would not discuss what action
the rural legislators would be likely
90 take in case Governor Whitman in
sisted on the appointment of Mr.. Per-
kins.
Democrats May Line Up.
There is now a possibility that the
Democrats, in the end, will support the
bill agreed upon by the Governor and
the legislative war committee. Robert
T. Wagner, the Democratic leader of
tho Senate, said tonight that because
NJ the sentiment in the cities the