The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-03
SMITH .CONFERS
WITH PARTY CHIEFS
c. F. Murphy and J. ii. Nc
COOey Principal Figures
at Dinner.
RATTIGAN A VISITOR
Former Auburn Warden and
George r. Lunn Want Place
as Prison Head.
RATTIGAN A VISITOR

ALnA>.r, Jan. o.--Charles f Rattigan,
formerly warden o. Auburn Prison. and
now Federal Office holder. had talk
with Gov Alfred l. Smith at the Ex-
ecutive Mansion to-day. Mr.. Rattigan
Is being considered for the appointment
as state Superintendent OF Prisons,
which Office is now vacant.
Representative George r. Lunn OF
Schenectady, who was defeated for re-
election, Is a candidate for the place.
No matter who is appointed. it was said
tonight that Gov. Smith would name n
Commissioner under the Moreland law
20 investigate the conduct of the prisons
with a view Of turning out all the prison
wsrdens.
1t IL expected such an investigation
would disclose that drugs. liquor and
other contraband have been smuggled
into the prisons and that graft is ram
pant
Another commissioner probably will be
appointed to investigate the administers
ton OF the State Conservation Depart
ment, which is presided over by George
d. Pratt
In his message Gov. Smith pointed out
that the overhead of the conservation
and highway departments was altogether
out Of keeping with the results attained.
During the campaign Gov. Smith de-
clared that road contracts had been
granted to Rochester contractors with
out competitive bidding.
Commissioners Ready to Fight.
State Highway Commissioner Edwin
Duffey will resent any effort TO blacken
his administration or assail his personal
conduct Of the department.
Commissioner Pratt feels that he has
done much to elevate the conservation
work of the State. He Is one of the
leaders in the Camp Fire Club and in
the Boy Scout movement. He will fight
any attempt to remove him before his
term expires next year. Nevertheless,
il is reported that Gov. Smith has been
considering George Foster Peabody for
the place.
The Executive Chamber was deserted
to-day. Gov. Smith remained at the
Executive Mansion. and conferred with
various political leaders. John H. Nc
Cooy and Charles F. Murphy are re-
manning in Albany until tomorrow. Mr..
Murphy did not go near the mansion
to-day.
The crowds that came to Albany yes
terday for the Inauguration had disap-
peared by noon to-day. Caesar. the
Smith dog. found It pretty warm in the
house, so the Governor decided he would
put him in the tennis court which Is en-
closed with high wire netting. The
first thing Caesar did was to try and
tear through the netting TO get at Bob
bie," gray squirrel. which Is the pet OF
the neighborhood children.
Mr., Murphy Gives n Dinner.
Charles F. Murphy gave dinner to-
night for number OF his friends. He
and Mrs Murphy sat at the head of the
table Among the guests were Governor
and Mrs. Smith. Mr.. McCooey and his
wife, Senator James A. Foley and Miss
Murphy. John T. Delaney and his wife
and Emily Smith, eldest daughter of the
Governor.
William OTIS of Phoenix, barge
canal man, was mentioned to-day as a
possibility for appointment as Superin-
tendent Of Public Works.
1t was said that Abram I. Elkus OF
New York will be either chairman or
counsel OF the Commission on Recon
struction that Gov. Smith announced in
his message he intends to name. He
was counsel Of the Wagner-Smith fac
tory investigating commission, OF which
the Governor was vice-chairman. This
commission Is TO recommend a plan for
the relief OF injured soldiers and the
caro- Of impoverished families
1t was announced to-day the legsla-
tive exercises in memOriam TO the late
William F. Sheehan. formerly Lieuten-
snt-Governor, will take place in the AS
Spu1hly Chnrnbar January