New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
Sufragists Expected in Al
bany Tomorrow to Ask
Changes
Two Fights Developing
Prohibition Amendment and
Repeal of School Law to
Come Up Soon

ALBANY, Feb. 17.--Few, if any, con-
troversial matters are expected to be
brought up in the Legislature for final
action this week, and whatever meas
ures on the calendar are passed in
either branch, will be Of routine, or
local, character.
The programme Of the leaders calls
for the passage, early in the week, Of
the Walters-Adler bill, to provide for
the registration of women voters in
time to permit them to vote at the
special Congressional elections in
Greater New York, and at local option
elections in other parts of the State.
In order to expedite its enactment, the
Legislature, contrary to general prac-
tice, held n perfunctory session Sat-
urday, thus giving an extra day toward
the three which, the constitution pro-
vides, bills must be on the members
desks in the form Of final passage.
To Push Swami Resolution
1t is expected also that Senator
George F. Thompson, of Niagara, will
try to get action on resolution which
he introduced last Monday to have the
Senate require District Attorney Swami
of New York to report what he had
done in connection with the prosecu-
ton Of alleged violations Of the cleo
ton law in New York City primaries
last September. That Senator Thomp-
sons attempt is certain to be met with
most vigorous opposition was Indicated
q few days ago when reference to the
resolution pvecipitated an acrimonious
debate in the Senate.
most of them in the nature of fish and
game regulations, will be reported in
the Assembly during the week and
pressed for passage. So fer as known
none Of them is controversial.
1t is expected that the suffragists will
appear at the Capitol Tuesday to pro-
test before Joint hearing Of the Jul
dietary committees over the provisions
Of a bill to permit the enrolment of
women voters. Their chief objections
are directed against the enrolment by
certificate in all municipalities except
the first class cities Of the state. The
Woman Suffrage party, through it's Of
ticers, has declared in favor of per-
sonal enrolment in all municipalities OF
more than 5000 population.
Fight Over School Law
The fights over the proposed ratifca-
tion Of the prohibition amendment to
the Federal constitution and the re-
repeal OF the township school law are
developing rapidly. They will come to
focus next week when committee
hearings will be given on both prop
ositions. The temperance forces, which
had anticipated fairly easy shedding in
the Assembly with the prospect that
their hardest work must be done in the
Senate, are greatly worried by recent
announcement of Speaker Sweet that
only sixty Republican Assemblymcn
had declared in favor Of ratification.
e large attendance of representatives
from the rural districts. including of
ticials Of the State Grange and kindred
organizations, is looked for at the
hearing, February 81, on the township
school law repeal bill. Absolute repeal
will be opposed by the State Education
Department and a number of Assembly
leaders. who believe that Objectionable
features Of the existing law should be
corrected by amendment rather than
that the entire law should be nulltied