New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-24
Measures for 8-Hour Dav
and Minimum W age
Kept With Committee
Until He Calls Caucus
State Milk Board
Also Is Defeated
Special Session Hinted
to Undo Days Work
of Disgruntled Speaker
From, q Staf Corrrsnondent


ALBANY, April 23.-Speaker Sweet
resorted to strong-arm tactics to-day
to defeat the minimum wage and eight-
hour day for women bills, which were
passed by the Senate two days ago.
For four hours he kept the Republican
members of the Assembly literally un-
der lock and key in the WAYS and
Means Committee room during q con-
terence on other measures. When he
announced that the conference was to
resolve itself into caucus several
Assemblymen protested.
Wage Bill Beaten
You cannot leave the room and you
are bound by the caucus" said Sweet
"Oh, yes, we can," said an Assembly,
man.
"You can't" said Sweet. "The door
is locked"
Some of the New York CITY men
1rled to get out, but the sergeant at
arms, under instructions of the Speaker.
held them. '''
Four hours later. having forced a
majority into line, Sweet released his
prisoners and defeated the bills on the
hoor. The minimum wage bill was
beaten, 80 to Al. The eight-hour dav
bill was lost. 80 to 81. ''
rive other measures on which Sweet
forced a caucus were also beaten.
Among them were the Governors re-
construction bills, providing of the
creation OF state milk commission,
win power to fix prices between pro-
oucers, distributors and consumers:
aDollshlng the state council of farms
and markets and restoring the single
headed department of agricukure: q
shorter ballot and a consolidation Of
state departments; four-year term
Tor Governor and Lieutenant Governor
and an executive budget.
Sweet also killed Assemblyman Will
lam Pellets bill giving cities and coun-
ties home rule.
Roosevelt Leads Fight
In the caucus Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt, who introduced the mini
mum wage bill, and blyman Will
lam 1. Simpson, who fathered the
eight-hour bill in the lower house, led
the fight for the bills.
Several members of the majority told
Sweet that the Republican party at its
last state convention adopted q plank
recognizing the welfare measures.
THAT is not sol" said Sweet.
Yes, it isl" cried several
'Tisn't!" snapped Sweet
The talk among the friends of the
Governor tonight was that he would
call a special session of the Legisla-
ture in an attempt to undo Sweets
work Of to-day.
The Governor declared that if the
Legislature did not pass his recon-
struction measure, which has the in
dorsement of practically every cham
Der of commerce and every civic asso-
citation in the state, as we'll as promi-
nent Republicans, he would convoke an
extra session.
Meanwhile the Assembly and Senate
are working frenziedly to jam in the
maximum amount Of work between now
and noon tomorrow, when the final ad-
journment is to be taken. Both houses
probably will sit all night and up to
midday tomorrow. 1t is predicted in
some quarters here that the time of ad-
journment will be run past, and that it
will be at least Sunday before the cal
endar is cleared.
Holds Night Session
Behind locked doors the Assembly
tonight is working desperately to
catch up with its work, with little
chance of success. Members are having
CONTINUED on next paseA