New-York tribune., 1918-01-11
Anti-Whit1nan
Fight Expected ON
Direct Primaries
Little Opposition to Ap-
pointment of Kracke
Is Prediction
Only Fireworks Is Plan
Governor Has Declared He
Will Veto Bill to Restore
Party Conventions
[Staf Correspondence

ALBANY, Jan. 10.-A second legisla-
tive week passed to-day without any
visible signs of row between Gov
ernor Whitman and the Barnes Brown
iact!on. The one opportunity so far
afforded for a lineup was the presen-
tatlon to the Senate of the nomination
of Frederick J. II. Kracke as Public
Service Commissioner. This was re-
ferred to the Finance Committee with
out comments.
Some of the Whitman forces in
the Senate said to-day that there
would be but little opposition to the
confirmation of Mr.. Kracke. Senator
Robert Il. Lawson. of Brooklyn. one of
the promoters of Justice Cropsey's
boom for Mayor last summer, and who
Is now actively engaged in propaganda
on behalf of the Brooklyn jurist's
Eubernatoriai ambitions, will, it is pre-
dicted. raise something Of a row over
the nomination before MIR. kracke is
confirmed.
But there will be no serious oppo-
sition to any of the Governors ap-
poirtments," said one of the Barnes
Brown Senators. "We'll just have
enough fireworks to let him know we
are on the job"
The big fight is expected when the
bill repeating the direct primaries law
M u ies0oii"S the party convention SyS-
tenn of picking candidates is intro
duced. Friends of the old order Of
things said tonight that the measure
had an excellent chance Of being passed
IN the Assembly this year. Last winter
the Assembly defeated the bill after it
had been, passed by the Senate. There
IS less cordiality this session between
Speaker Sweet, who controls the lower
house. and the Governor. And if
oiv <ko III bo A.
sembly, it is said, will roll up enough
votes to jam the measure through.
he Governor is on record that he
will veto the bill if it comes before
him. His opponents, who have dis
,cusssed the likelihood Of passing the
bill over his veto. frankly admit that
that would be Herculean task.
There are men here who would
gladly vote to restore the party con
the movement, "but they fear that if
they did so they would be met with
mob violence by their constituencies" /"
The repeal of direct primaries was
the pricipal topic Of conversation Of
lawmakers who remained here tonight
after the Legislature adjourned until
reXt Tuesday. The general opinion
was that the law would remain as it is
Some of the Legislators were also f
the opinion that the Hill-McNab reso-
luton to ratify the Federal prohi ibition
amendment will require considerable
nursing to pull it through after the
Bar Association last night raised the
question of the constitutionaity of
the proposed amendment. Leaders in
both houses said the resolution would
lie in committee for some time in any
event to give legislators an opportunity
to sense the views Of their constitu-
cncies.
In the Senate Robert F. Wagner,
minority leader, introduced the Hearst
1'vlan corrupt practices act. 1t pro
Nides for the publication of all receipts
end disbursements five days before
election. 1t would limit the expend
lures Of campaign committees to rent
of halls. clerk hire, music and red fire
advertising and travelling expenses of
candidates and committees. 1t also
provides that no contribution in en-
cess Of $4,000 shall be received from
any one source.
The bill went to the Judiciary Com
mittee, where short Shrift is predicted
for it.
Senator A. Farrenkopf, of Queens
County, introduced q bill to build {
boulevard across Jamaica Bay fror
Sheridan and Woodhave Avenues tt
Beach Canal Drive. the cost, excll
sive of the concrete bridges, is 20 be
borne by property owners benefited.