The sun., 1918-12-30
ALBANY DISCUSSES
LEGISLATIVE PLANS
Speculation on Peace or War
Between the Lawmakers
and Gov.-elect Smith.
DRY FIGHT TO BE BITTER
Sweet Will BE Speaker Again,
but Senate Leadership Is
Still Unsettled.

ALBANY. Dec. 29.-Whether there will
be war. peach or an armed truce be-
tween the Republican Legislature and
Alfred T., Smith, the New York city
Democrat who will be ~inaugurated Gov
ernor on New Years Day. is the ques-
ton that is p%erplexing political observers
at the State capital. The only develop
ments of the legislative session, which
opens Wednesday night, can furnish the
answer.
The Inauguration OF G~ovcrnor-elect
Smith. which takes place next Wednes-
day loon in the Assembly Chamber. Will
postpone until later in the day the or
ganization meetings Of the Senate and
Assembly, which face important tasks
this year. The influx OF people from all
parts OF the State already shows signs
of overcrowding the hotels. as much in
terest Is centred in the inauguration or
the new Governor.
The legislative houses probably will
meet some time during the afternoon
and adjourn for a week to permit the
appointment OF committees. This task
is made doubly difficult this year be-
cause OF the many new members and
the fact that legislation OF such moment
as city ownership OF public utilities and
the state hydro-eleCtric bills, advocated
by the state Conference OF Mayors, must
be considered.
strategic Advantage for smith.
The Governor-elect is conceded a
strategic advantage by the fact that the
Republicans, although In control of the
Legislature, cannot muster the constitu-
tional two-thirds majority required to
override the Executive veto, Conse-
q%uently. Mr.. Smith will have the final
determination of legislation on which
party lines are drawn tightly. This adj
van'age Is offset partly. however. by the
power of the Republican majority in
the Senate to refuse confirmation Of the
Governors nominations for state Offices.
While there are a few places which can
he filed by the Governor without refer
cnce TO thesSenate. virtually all the more
desirable and high sala RED positions in
the State service are subject to the APP
proval Of the upper house.
Speaker Sweet was the first OF the
legislative notables 10 arrive tonight.
He will open headquarters in the Ten
Eyck tomorrow and is to be a
imously reelected Speaker. senator ].
Henry Walters of syracuse. who M
doubtedlv viii be elected President pro-
TEN. Of the Senate, also reached the city.
His opponent. Senator George +. Thowp-
son Of Niagara, has not arrived.
Attorney-Gencral-elec Charles u.
Newton will come to Albany tomorrow
and is expected to announce the ap-
pointmcnt OF jerome l.. Cheney of SYRIA
cuSe as first deputy ut $4,000. Mr.
Cheney must resign his place as Public
Service Commissioner to accept.
Gov.-EleCt Smith is expected 20 come
20 Albany on Tuesday. with Mrs. Smith
he viii be tho guest of FORMER Governor
Martin II. Glynu over Ne" Years eve.
The smiths viii not 90 to the Executive
Mansion until New Years morning, a.
though IN" mansion "a ready for their
occupancy now. MIR. Smith expects TO be
sworn in as Governor late Tuesday night
by Secretary Of state Francis NJ. Hugo.
Governor md Mrs. Whitman Will come
% Albany tomorrow from their New
York city apartmen: at the 81. Regis
Whilo in Albany they will tie guests OF
Mrs. William Bayard Van Rensselaer,.