The evening world., 1920-01-10
G. o. P. Leaders Devised
Trick After Governors Call
for Direct Vote on Liquor.
WELCOME LONG FIGHT.
Plan to Keep "Americaniza-
ton to Front While Pro
hibition Waits.
By Martin Green.
ESPECIAL STAFF Corespoudent q Tho Evening
| World)

Fspec1h stan CorrtFDondent q Tho BTening
world)
ALBANY, N. " Jan. lot is
fact established by experience that
when the Legislature has a big issue or
question before tan overshadoving
issue or question which engages the
bulk OF newspaper space and public
attcntion--the underground workers
arc able 10 put over their jobs Shady
legislation which would otherwise be
spotted sneaks through under the
cover of excitement and pressure
generated by the big issue.
The Legislature OF 1890 has a big
issue before II. The issue arises out
Of the expulsion OF the five Socialist
members from Greater New York and
the proposed effort to legislato the
Socialist Party out OF existence as
political factor in the State. The Re-
publican leaders who engineered the
expulsion Of the Socialists call tho
issue Americanism.
This issue will be kept TO the front
throughout the session. 1t Is planned
TO begin the trial Of the five Socialist
AsSemblymen before tho Judiciary
Committee on next Wednesday. The
Socialists, knowing that the fate not
only of the five Assemblymen but OF
the Socialist Party itself depends on
a spirited defense and bring counter
charges against the Lusk committee
The trial promises to be a series OF
sensational Incidents which will alb
sorb the greater part OF the ncwspa-
per space given to recording the do
ings OF the Legislature and the Ad-
ministration in Albany.
Tho more vigorous the defense Of
the Socialists the more protracted will
DO the trial. And that is just what
tho Republican leaders want They
ycarn for a long trial and a bitter
fight which will attract the undivided
interest Of the public, Many legisla-
tors and interests have the same hopes
as the leaders, because Of the oppor-
tunties which will be offered for the
passage Of measures which would not
stand the light Of publicity.
SMITH MADE FIGHT ON 18TH
AMENDMENT AN ISSUE.
Prior to the expulsion Of the Social
lists there was another big issue before
the Legislature. That was Gov. Smiths
recommendation that the Legislature
rcscind It's action indorsing the Eight
eenth Amendment and submit the
question Of Prohibition to vote Of the
people OF the State Of New York The
dominant issue up to 3 o'clock last
Wednesday afternoon was Prohibition
That issue was brought TO tho front
by the Governor, and in bringing it to
tho front he dealt the Republican
ma ajority a solar plexus blow
The Republican leaders thought
they had buried the Prohibition ques-
tion when, in 1919, by exercising tho
powers OF party caucus they passed
Il l.AlllltdllIu bI lIe iIlBulttulu
Amendment by the votes Of men who,
il they were free TO follow their own
convictions would have recorded
themselves against IT,
Ratification accomplished, the Re-
publicans adopted this slogan: PRO
hibition is a closed issue"
But the cat came back in the Gov
ernor's message. The Republicans
found themselves confronted with the
necessity Of taking up the question
again and going on record a second
time and the prospect did not please
them. The spectre of Boss Anderson
(ContInued on Second Page.)