The sun., 1919-01-12
COY. SMITHS FLAG
FLIES ON CITY HALL
Historic Room Officially Used
by q State Executive First
Time Since Seventies.
PARDONS ASKED FOR TEN
Labor, Transit Prisons and
Other Subjects Discussed
by 200 Callers.

| The blue nag OF the State Of New
York few over the City Hall yester-
day. Sitting at the quantity fashioned
old mahogany desk once used by John
Adams, nrst Vice-President Of the
United States, Gov. Alfred e. Smith
saw and transacted business with all
who cared to call. It was the FIRST time
since the days of John T. Hoffman. Chief
Executive from 1870 to 1878, that the
Governors room in the historic City
Hall had been used officially by a Gov
ernor.
From IL o'clock until constant
| stream Of visitors went in and out OF the
conference room. in which the Governor
sat. Last night the Governor went to
see his aged mother In Brooklyn, He
will return to Albany at o'clock this
afternoon.
II think my idea is good one" said
the Governor II saw more than 200
persons. hope to be here in the city
Hall at least every other Saturday
There are many men and women here
who cannot AFFORD to make the trip to
Albany and back. They are the folks !!
wish to see most
II would like to do the same thing in
other cities In the State. but the time Is
lacking. After all New York city con-
tains half the population OF the State"
! The Governor Is much Interested in
the milk problem and had q brief talk
with Robert f. Bowling, head OF his
milk commission. who reported on the
situation.
As for the traction situation and the
harbor strike the Governor expressed
the opinion that he had too many things
OF his own to attend to and thought he
had better not try to express any ideas
upon either. The strike is a Federal
problem as he We've 1t, and as for the
proposed eight cent fare on the local
transit lines, that is a matter for the
Board of Estimate to wrestle with.
Walks Alone TO City Hall.
The Governor was unaccompanied as
he walked from his home. at IS Oliver
street. near Chatham Square, to City
Hall at IL o'clock In the morning. When
George r. Van Nance. his secretary,
and the Governor entered the Governor &
room a small crowd already had gath
cred Mrs. Eliza Little. who for years
has watched over the treasures there,
was rather dubious about having the
sacred room invaded by such a crowd,
But she was agreeably surprised and
said later that every one had shown the
! utmost respect for the room and its his
toric associations.
The quite really consists OF three
rooms. The old Governors room. con-
tanning the writing desk once used by
George Washington and other relics oil
historic interest, Is in the centre. Al
either side Of this are smaller rooms
, which also hold parts OF the historic
collection. Gov Smith decided to use
the west room and took his seat at the
queer old desk on which rests tablet
reading:
This desk was used by John Adams
! from April. 1883. to August 1880. dur
: Ing the time that the Federal Hall II
New York city was the Capitol OF The
United States"
! Major Frank Foley. brother OF Sena'
tor James T. Foley. as Acting Military
Secretary, assisted Secretary Van Va
NEE in greeting callers.
Among the first to be received were
the Mayor and Mrs. Hylan and MISS
Virginia. who simply called 10 pay thei'
respects. DR.. Edward r Cass or ms
Prison Reform Association talked witt
the Governor about prison reform. DR.
John ". David, who is interested II
; curbins the drug evil. had a few min
utes with the Governor
Quarantine Transfer Urged.
DR.. Leland e. Coter. Health Officer O
( the Port, told the Governor that tn
! transfer OF the Quarantine station t
the Federal Government ought to b
accomplished before long. law hai
been passed but no money has been ap
r propriated for tho purpose. The sundr!
e civil bill now carries Sl,500,0O0 to pa!
= the State for the property.
: James Z. Holland, president OF IN
9 State Federation OF Labor. and anothe
= labor leader. Peter A. Brady. Supervise
}. OF the city Record, discussed labo
h legislation. Mrs Henry Moscowtt
e talked on social reform. and Henry L
8 Sayre OF tho State Industrial Commits
T sion told OF the work OF that body.
o Edward Estes. secretary OF the Thir
d ty-fourth Street Association, inforne
the Governor that that organization wa
heartily back of his bill for a singl
headed Public Service Commission her
and for another commissioner to com
plete the rapid transit lines.
Joseph p. Griffin. president Of IN
Brighton Beach Wreck Association
asked the Governor to take a hand I
improving rapid transit facilities in IN
city.
Lieut.-Col. Charles w. Berry c
Brooklyn who Is said to be slated 10
Adtutant C eneral. had brief talk wit
Gov. Smith, as did Commander Rober
F. Forshew, formerly head OF the Stat
Naval Militia.
Commit ssioner Bird S. Coler of III
Department Of Public Charities. Comp
troller Craig and Justice Robert f. Was
rer called to pay their respects WI
liam H. Allen. director OF the Institu,
for Public Service, had n number {
suggestions for reforming the Stat
government
An aged woman, with gray hair. while
p was only partly concealed by a shaw
!, made a plea for the pardon OF her so,
who In serving n sentence for mar
=, slaughter Nine others asked for pa
1T dons for prisoners
at