The sun., 1919-03-20
CHECK ON WOMEN'S
BILLS STIRS ALBANY
Report That Measures Are
Slated for Defeat by G. O. P.
Committee Denied.
CITY CLUB rs REASsURED
Appeal for 8 Hour and Mini
mum Wage Bills Will Go
to Speaker Sweet.

ALBANY, n. Y, March 19--Failure Of
the Assembly Labor and Industries
Committee to-day to report out the bills
for. an eight hour day for women, mini
mum wages for minor and female work.
ers and added protection for women
IA ilroad operatives and office WORKERS
created Juror. in conjunction with
THE SUN story this morning that these
measures probably are slated for de-
feat as a result of the conference or
the executive committee Of the Repub-
lican State Committee yesterday.
Miles NJ. Dawson of the City Club
of New York. speaking IN the afternoon
at the hearing on health insurance, de-
clared he was disturbed this morning
to read that you were controlled from
without instead of Within and that
at was said you were to be influenced
by the action Of the executive commit
tee.
80 1 put myself in touch with the
leaders and the chairman OF the COM
mittee," Mr.. Dawson said, and I can
officially state on his authority that 1t
is not true"
The women representing the Wom-
ems Joint Legislative Conference do
not share Mr.. Dawson's optimistic view
| of the situation. 1t Is known that they
had enough votes promised by members
OF the Committee on Labor and Indus
tries to get their bills reported, but
when the committee met before the AS
sembly session to-day no action was
| taken.
Protest VIII Go to sweet.
| 1t Is said unofficially that the commit
| tee chairman. Assemblyman William
Bewley OF Niagara, refused TO entertain
| a motion to report the bills. but ne said
| that no such motion was made. The sit
uation Is such, however. that the women
| are protesting. and expect to carry their
resentment to Speaker Thaddeus c.
| Sweet OF the Assembly tomorrow. 1t is
| expected they will charge that the ac-
ton of the executive committee of the
Republican State committee influenced
| the Bewley committee.
The Assembly Rules Committee, Of
! which Speaker Sweet is chairman, will
| take charge OF all legislation pending on
| March rs, so that the only chance the
| women have to get their bills reported
| favorably will come at next weeks
meeting of the Labor and Industries
| Committee. One Of the minor bills, that
providing against night work for women
elevator operators and requiring seats
| for them, was reported to the Assembly
| as e result OF a vote taken by the com
mittee last night, when action was post
poned on the eight hour day bills and
the rest OF the programme.
| George \. GlSnn. chairman OF the Re
publican State committee, and Bertrand
! H. Smell. chairman of the executive COM
mittee, remained in the city to-day. bat
there were no developments in the politi-
cal situation affecting legislation. Much
\ surprise was expressed at the idea that
the influence Of Mary Carrot Hay and
the other women OH the executive CON-
mittee was sufficient to turn the Repub-
| leans away from their plan to restore
party State conventions. and there Is
still some talk OF compromise bill. bu,
| few, really believe the opposing factions
could agree on such measure.
To support Governors Bill.
| II developed that the Republican Sena-
tors in conference last night voted 10
support the bills wanted by Gov. Smith
providing for rapid transit commits
sioner in New York to complete the sub
ways. and single public service com
missioner to take the place OF the pres
ent five man commission. Many OF
them talked against the plan on the
ground that the Republicans should not
give the Governor what he wants in the
way OF legisla ton. but they finally agreed
10 vote for tbe bills.
| The agitation started yesterday by
| dntl-SufrraSlSls Tor membership IN the
executive committee. which resulted In
announcement that Mrs. William b
Beecher. the woman member OF the ex-
ecutive committee from Brooklyn, repre-
sents the anti-suffrage element, is re-
ported 10 have been started by the AL
bany County Republican organizatio OF
| William Barnes as a backfre in the op.
position of the suffragists to the re-
domination next year of United States
Senator James w. Wadsworth.