New-York tribune., 1918-03-08
Vote Is Unanimous, Oppo-
sition Having Yielded
Overnight
May Conceal Strategy
Belief Expressed That Anti
Whitman Men Expect
Farmers to Protest
[.StaF Correspondencel


ALBANY, March 1.-The Senate to-
day unanimously confirmed the Cover
nor's nominations to the Farms and
Markets Council The Whitman men
declared shat the action was sur
render to the Governor. The anti
Whitman men said nothing. But in
some quarters the belief was expressed
that it was q strategic move on the
part of the forces opposed TO the Gov
ernor, and those who voiced this view
held that their opinions would be con-
firmcd at the meeting OF farmers from
ali parts, of the state, 10 be held next
Thursday III Poughkeepslc.
The appointees confirmed were:
Councillor at large, John Mitchell.
Mount Nerncn; by judicial DISTRICTS:
First, Mary Van Arsdalc, New Iosk;
Second. James II. Killough, Brookl'n;
Third Lewis I. Morrell, Kinderhook;
Fourth, Datus Clarke, Gouverneul;
Fifth Frank ". Howe, Syracuse; Sixth,
John G. Pcmbleton, Owego; Seventh,
William L, Dana, Avon; Eighth, Will
lam F. Pratt, Batavia; Ninth, John Y.
Gerow, Washingtonville.
Reversal of Attitude
To-day's action was 4 complete re-
vcrsal Of :he position taken by tic anti
Whitmantes last night. Then Senator
Elon r. Brown, leader Of the opposi"
ton. declared that the plan to have
the Legislature elect the head Of the
council wofld 90 ahead.
When the Senate met to-day Senator
Brown was absent. Hen"y NJ. Sage,
chairman Of the Senate Committee on
Finance, acted as majority leader.
Without warning he moved immediate
confirmation Of the Governors nom.na-
lions.
The agricultural interests of the
Senator Sage. 81 believe that the best
method to pursue in order that the
agricultural department ct the state
shall be pllced upon an eificient work
ing basis is to confirm thnse nomira-
tions Immediately The Finance Com
mittee has not had time TO meet and
act on them"
The last was taken 20 mean that
while confirming the nominations, the
Senate, or rather the anti Whitman
forces therein, washed their hands OF
But the nominations, The Trloun.
learned, were not decided upon until
leading representatives of farmers had
been Consulted. Among -hosc who con
ferred with the Governor in the la51
fcrty-eight hours were Sitas L. Striv-
ing, former dean Of the State Agricult-
ural College at Cornell, and Sherman
j. Lowell, master of the safe Grange.
Both had been instrumental in having
condemnatoHy resolutions adopted a.
recent gatherings of farmers.
Amenities Exchanged
Senator Robert F. Wagner. minority
leader, did not let pass the opportunity
OF throwing a few bricks at the RepuD-
licans. When he finished, one Senator
after another, 20 the num- CT of about
a dozen, rose to say some kind word
about this or that member If the coun
ell. While this culogizing was in
progress. Senator Theodore Douglas
Robinson interrupted to say that the
action of the Legislative leaders in plac
ing his father, Douglas Robinson
brother-in law of Theodore Roosevelt,
in nomination had been done without
his knowledge and that hi; father had
not been consulted
1t was predicted tonight that Charles
II. Belts. secretary of the Farms and
Market Council, would tender his resig
nation within forty-eight hours and
that if he did not he would be forced
out. At all the recent meetings of
farmers resolutions were adopted urg
ing the ousting of Mr.. Belts He is
Republican leader OF Wayne County.
The Senate also confirmed unan-
lnously the rcappontment OF Jesse W.
Phillips as State Superintendent OF
Insurance