New-York tribune., 1919-10-19
Gov. Smith.
In'Clnallenge,
Flags Hearst
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Continued from page
attention to it for long while be-
cause | didn't feel that there was any
occasion, or any necessity, for my Civ
ing it even the remotest attention.
However, | find that there is some SEN
timent around in the districts, particu-
larly among the women, on the ques-
ton of the power of the Governor to
deal with the price of milk. Now, I
want to furnish our women, while they
are here to-day, with the arguments
and with the facts. You Just want the
facts, and when you go among your
women folks you can tell them.
"In 1917 the policy of this state with
regard to agricultural matters was very
materially changed. The Legislature,
by law, took from the Governor abso-
lutely every vestige of control over the
Department of Farms and Markets or
the Department of Agriculture in this
way: They created what they called a
regency over agricultural affairs, con-
structed along similar lines as the re-
gency over education, and they pro-
vided that there should be one person
elected from each judicial district Of
the state and one at large, to be called
a Council Of Farms and Markets. Yhey
were elected by the Legislature; and
they in turn selected the Comm issioner
of Food and Markets and the Commits
soner Of Agriculture.
Plans for Party Workers
''But the then Governor whitman
compromised with the principle and
DESTROYED any effectiveness that it may
have had or could have had, by insist
ing that he appoint the first council
and that thereafter their successors be
elected by the Legislature. In doing
that, I am reliably informed that d
good many of the places in that inn
portant department that has to dc
with the great agricultural interests Of
the stare, many Of the important tech
nical places requiring special training
were filed with men that knew moth
ing about the work, but had to have q
Place because they we're good party
workers.
Now, when | came into office I had
a thorough understanding of that stu
alton, and l sent for the agricultural
leaders Of the state, and l went into
session with them in the Mansion in
Albany. | spent one whole night talk
ing to them. When they left me in
the morning they left convinced that
what said was on the level, and that
meant to go through with it.
81 asked them to stand behind legis-
lation that would clean out the whole
department and let them remain if
the LEGISLATURE would not see it other
wise, that | would sign lump sum ap-
reorganizing the Farms and Market
Department and the Department of Ag-
riculture with men that knew their
business, and they agreed with me.
Couldn't Put 1t Through
of q
and Markets myself and they agreed
with me. | had legislation prepared
and introduced and l sent message
to the Legislature. Five days later it
was noticed that there was another con
ference and the late lamented Johr
Mitchell, who at that time was chair
man of the Council Of Farms and Mar
kets, was selected rs a committee OF
one to notify the Governor that the
Legis lature would not stand for any
reorganization.
"Now, this talk about why doesn't
the Governor do this or that, with re-
The reason is that the Governor is
without power to do it. by the law OF
this state; the only thing ] can do tt
the Council of Farms and Markets OF
any Of its related bureaus, is to sigr
the appropriation bill providing
their salaries and expenses and thai
instrument was so drawn that ] was
obliged to stand for some Of the thing:
that were in it that did not thinl
ought to be in it. and could not take
them out without crippling importan
bureaus Of the department.
His Idea Of a Mean Man
Il think it is mean man, / thinl
it is particularly low type of man. tha
Will lead anybody to believe that there
is some thing that can be done for then
that is impossible. To serve his owl