New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-08
Governor Says He VIII APP
peal to Voters of State,
if Necessary
Measure Is Doomed
At Albany Hearing
Men nom Every City Urge
Its Passage Before AS
sembly Meeting

rFrm star Correspondent Of The Tribune
,,banv March 7.-Governor Whit
"a, will follow the example of Charles
Hughes IN appealing to the people,
= NECESSARY. TO pass the Hill-Wheeler
I'M extending local option TO cities.
II. intends 10 make this measure the
d,mirating moral issue Of his regime,
;,.t as Mr. Hughes did the racetrack
Hesitation. After a conference at the
rvscutive Mansion tonight with Sem
.tor Hill and Assemblyman Wheeler,
authors Of the bin, the Governor issued
direct challenge to its opponents, IN
the Legislature and out.
you can say for me-" declared the
eovernor. chat this local option bill
has cot TO 90 through the Legislature
9, this session, and the man who gets
IN It's way is likely TO get hurt.
intend 10 20 the limit on his propo-
sition. E. !.
Governor he was asked.
~ mean aust what ] say he re-
,lied: "that / will 20 the limit. The
e;ties that have so plainly expressed
their desire to forbid the liquor traffic
within their own borders must not be
denied that right. no matter what the
rest Of the state may think. | am
roine 20 stand for this. irrespective OF
nv personal views on the liquor ques-
ton itself.
Undoubtedly many small communi-
ties have succeeded. one way or an
other. in getting city charters from
the Legislature solely for the purpose
OF getting themselves out of that class
Of villages or towns which now enjoy
the local option privilege. II they
we're not cities they would be dry to-
dsv. They would be as dry as the
rural territory from which they sep
srated Ii was plain from g. Gearing
to-day that the people of these cities
van. the right to vote themselves dry. -
REPRESENTATIVES Of religious, social
and business mems organizations
from almost every city IN the state
crowded the Assembly chamber to
urge favorable action By the legisla-
tive committees in charge Of the bill.
Governor Whitman supports the
measure unreservedly. and if IL does
a larger vote than any temperance
legislation of this kind. The Assem-
his Excise Committee will report the
hin favorably a week from to-mor-
row The lower House, inclined to be
Influenced by the reform forces that
want the measure passed now, PROB
ably will vote IL through.
The bill was opposed at to-day's
20
brewery representatives. liquor deal
ers, hotel mems associations and res!
estate organizations. They contended
IL was detrimental 20 a business IN
which SS00.O00.00O was invested, would
dspreciate the value of millions OF
dollars worth of hotel and other
property. and would drive thousands
Of persons out Of work.
John J. McGlynn, Of Troy, president
OF the State Hotel Mems Association,
declared New York should be the last
city in the state to favor such legis-
laton.
"New York City. particularly in its
hotels" he said. "has been prosperous
10 the last two years. Before that time
business men from all the dry states
came % New York twice a year ana
stayed a day and half. Now they
come ten times q year and stay week.
Advocate Of the bill argued that the
man and his family, rather than real
estate values and revenue. should be
considered. They declared labor would
not be affected. experience in dry states
having shown that factories supplanted
saloons. They declared il was discrim-
mating against cities 70 deprive them
Of the local option now enjoyed by
towns
The Rev. James Empringham, an
Episcopal clergyman Of New York,
warned the Legislature 20 stop being
booyguard 20 the liquor traffic.
I'VE do not ask you 20 protect us
from the saloon" he said, "but TO stop
protecting the saloon from US. The
only thing that stands between the pub
llc will and the liquor traffic Is the
lawmaking body al Albany. Ii you con-
tnue 20 be the bodygusrd Of the liquor
tfafhc the people will rise up and treat
you as the people Of France did the
ooooyguard Of King Louis XVI and the
King himself"
The Rev Floyd 6. Leach declared the
Lpscopa. Church had come out unanl-
moUsiy Tor the bill.
Charles J. Campbell, counsel for the
state Hotel Mems Association, charged
that tae Anti-Saloon League was mis-
leading people grossly in its campaign
Tor the measure.
IL you are going 20 have prohibi-
ton" be said, "let's have it bone dry
and smoke out the hypOcrites. Let the
poor and wealthy fare alike
representative Of religious, civic,
SOFA. and business mems organizations
"a g. ia q q
crowded the Assembly chamber to-day
% urge favorable action by the lcgisla-
tive committees in charge Of the bill.
n b. does not pass both houses IL
Nil receive larger vote than any
temperance legislation Of this kind.
The Assembly Excise Committee will
report tac BIN iavorably a week from
-6-mouou The lover Rouse. inclined