New-York tribune., 1919-04-06
Smith Must Show More
Fighting Spirit to Get
Recommended Measures
Through the Legislature
To Adjourn in 2 Weeks
Women and Labor Join to
Save Welfare Legislation;
Little Hope Is Seen

Stat Correspondence
ALBANY, April 5.-Thc 1919 Legis-
lature, which has been in session since
January /, bids fair to adjourn two
weeks from to-day without passing
more than three or four of the score
of measures recommended by Governor
Smith in his message to the lawmakers.
Knowing this, Governor Smith sum
moned the Democratic members of both
houses to the Executive Chamber three
days ago and programme of offence
WAS determined upon. The minority
was told that beginning Monday they
must move at stated intervals during
the week to discharge the various COM
mittees in the Senate and the Rules
Committee in the Assembly from con-
sideration of the Governors measures.
Alone the Democratic minority could
accomplish nothing, bu. they are try
ing to effect a fusion with insurgent
Republicans in both houses. The Gov
ernor directed each member of the
minority to be in his seat daily until
the sessions end.
The Governor is anxious to put
through his Public Service Commission
legislation--as amended to suit the up
state Republicans. In its present form
the measure merely reorganizes the
New York City commission by creating
one regulatory commissioner, four dep
uties and one transit commissioners
The latter would have charge of com
pleting the remaining work on the dual
subway system-$40 O00,0 900. In add
ton, the transit commissioner would
have the letting of contracts on the
proposed West Side freight subway
with it's numerous warehouse units,
estimated to cost between 100000, 900
and $150,000,O00.
Measure Likely to Pass
Some sort of legislation of this sort
is almost certain to pass, but that it
will so through in its present form
seems doubtful
But it is unlikely that the bigger
things recommended by the Governor
will have chance i'll the present
Legislature. And it is matter of
comment here that Governor Smith so
far has displayed none of his old fight
ing spirit to get action on legislation.
But many here expect the Governor to
get back into his former trim within
the next few days. If he does there is
chance that most of his legislation
will probably pass. He holds the whip
hand with his veto however.
Well up In the Governors list of
recommendations was municipal own
ership. While it is a known fact that
the average Democrat regards the
whole proposition as joke, it is
equally we'll known that Mayor Hylan
has failed to accept invitations to ap-
pear before the Senate Public Service
Commission to urge the passage of this
legislation.
Fight on Welfare Bills
Six of the Governors recommends
tions included the so-called welfare
legislation sponsored by the Women's
Joint Legislative Conference and the
State Federation of Labor. The wom-
On and the labor leaders have been
conducting a stiff fight to get the
measures through. Only one is expect
ed to pass-the measure extending the
protective features of the labor law to
women elevator runners.
One labor bill, which provides that
victims of occupational diseases shall
be included in the beneficiary provi-