New-York tribune., 1918-02-28
Farmers Balk
At Meeting With
Whitman To-day
Farms and Markets Coun-
Gil To Be Discussed
at Conference
I.Staf Co,yesDondcncel

ALBANY, Feb. 81. - Leaders of the
farmers, who appeared to-day to de-
mand the repeal Of the township school
law, met in executive conference to-
night at the Ten Eyck, to discuss
whether they would confer with Gov
crnor Whitman on the Farms and Mar
kets Council situation.
1t was learned that most of the agri-
cultural leaders decided not to seek
a conference nor to suggest men to
be named in the stead Of those which
had been withdrawn by the Governor
following protests Of the farmers.
Despite this, friends of the Governor
declared that the farmers representa-
tives will confer with the Governor to-
morrow morning.
"'rhc Governor" said one of his
ers: y have withdrawn the names of
the Farms and Markets Council; now,
suggest the names of the men whom
you want me to appoint to this coun-
cil'"
Whtman's Foes Busy
The anti Whitman leaders were doing
considerable missionary work among
the farmers to-day, and persuaded
some that the Governor had set a trap
for them. William M. Bennett, who
ran against the Governor in the pr-
maries two years ago, and who beat
Mayor Mitchell in the Republican pr-
mares, was one of the most active of
the anti Whitman men. SO, too, was
Elon r. Brown, majority leader of the
10
swung the farmers into the anti Whit
man camp.
Nor was the township school law
without its politics. Governor Whit
man, it will be recalled, sent in mes
sage to the Legislature urging the i'm
mediate repeal of the law, which the
farmers declare has quadrupled thei1
taxes. Thaddeus c. Sweet. Speaker o.
the Assembly. who accused the Gov
crnor of stealing the Assemblys thun
der, appeared in favor of the repea
and urged the creation of a commiss iol
to study the problem. Senator Brown
appeared to oppose the repeal, saying
Il am not going to jump on any bant
wagon if | must be a party to such
cheap, poor, puny demand as is bein!
made to have this law repealed Their,
are mistakes IN the law, but they car
be corrected"
He said that is the law was repealed
country school children would again
be thrown back into the Dark Ages
Even now they are not receiving TIN
education if this law is repealed.
and which it is necessary to give then
if the nation is to keep its place" h.
said, "and they will receive far wors
education if the law is repealed.
object to making a political issue o
this political problem
Senator Brown said that one way o
correcting the evils complained Of il
the present law, which was enacted las
year. was TO have the Legislature ap
propriate sums of S1OO to $500 for eacl
country school district.
Finley Defends Law
John Finley, State Commissioner o
Education, made a spirited defence o
the law, which, he said, lifted tn
country schools out of disgracefu
condition.
Mrs. Raymond Brown, speaking TO
women's suffrage organizations, sal,
the only objection to the law was tina
in giving the country children bette
education it increased taxes. In fac
that was the only concrete objection
offered by the scores of farmers to tn
law.
Some of the opponents were Seth 7
j. Bush president of the Western Ney
York horticultural Society; Sherman
J. Lowell, master of the State Grange
j ohm j. Dillon and Julius Henry Cohen
Of Westchester County.