New-York tribune., 1920-07-13
Whitney Opens
Fire on Record
OF . Alibi Az
Former Public Service Com
missioner Says Governor
So Far Has Been Lucky
to Escape ssChecking Up"
Alleges Broken Promises
Asserts Performances Have
Been for Corporations
and Jobs for Tammany

| Travis n. Whitney, former Public
Service Commissioner, speaking last
night before the Republican Club of
the Fifteenth Assembly District, made
vigorous attack upon Governor AL
fred E. Smith and his record in office.
especially in regard to his handling Of
public utility matters in New York
City. He called him "Alibi AL"
Governor Smith is exceptional in
that he is q city product and he has
been fortunate in many respects" said
Mr.. Whitney. "The story of his early
life has been exploited many times as
a platform upon which he has achieved
success. He has now. however, reached
the point where not his early biog-
raphy but his official record should be
the basis of his further political career.
"As Governor he has been fortunate
in the opportunities his political op-
ponents have opened to him. He has
gotten away with much. He has been
fortunate in controlling or affecting
the sources OF possible criticism, so
that he has SO far escaped without
much checking up.
Jobs Were for Tammany
However, in his campaign for Gov
ernor he was specific in his criticism
of Republican officials and positive in
his promises. An examination of the
record will show that his criticisms
have turned out to be prophesies of his
own conduct and that as to the Public
Service Commission his promises were
performances were for corporations
after election and the jobs were for
Tammany.
"The Democrats have indicated
strongly their intention to renominate
Governor Smith and presumably base
Governor.
"He criticised and condemned Cow
ernor Whitman for possessing political
ambition, alleging that he desired cleo
tion to further his ambition for the
Presidency. What is his own record
of Office holding? In 1917 he was elected
for fcur-year term to the Board
OF Estimate. No sooner was he in than
he looked for way to escape such as
sociations, finally securing the Gov
ernorship. No sooner was he Governor
than his political friends and publicity
agents sent up balloons bearing further
political booms; Presidency, Vice-Pres-
idency, United States Senatorship, re-
nominatio for Governor, Mayor of New
York City, leader of Tammany Hall.
Gas President of the Board of Al
dermen, Smith was looked upon as one
who would develop into the strong man
OF the CITY administration, but he
avoided public issues that might create
factional opposition to his nomination
and election as Governor.
Biggest Budget Ever
"He criticized his predecessor on the
size of the state budget, yet the last
budget sgned by him is the largest in
the history Of the state by great
many millions. His alib is that re-
ductions and economies are impossible
until a budgetary system and a con-
soidation of state functions are
s.,
Because of the situation in New
York City, he laid great emphasis on
rapid transit and regulation of utilities
and attacked severely the Public Serv-
ice Commission. That commission was
in conflict with the Board of Estimate
over the completion of the new sub
ways and relations with the operating
companies. Smith was made chairman
OF the transit committee of the Board
of ct oof N,,,t% =
position to ascertain the full facts.
Instead, he got out from in between
and went out on the stump to promise
what he would do in fight on some
other day But the promise was lust
to get elected"
Lives Up to Nickname
"Bourke Cochran related at San
Francisco with great effect the storv
he had heard somewhere of the early
days when Smith was a pedler. l have
been told, l think probably by the
same people, that in those days Smith
was SO artful in avoiding the direct
answer whether he had fresh fish that
an exasperated old lady dubbed him
'Allbl All He apparently used East
Side methods to suppress the name,
but has been living fairly up to it.
He has jollied civic organizations
anu HaAuleu publicity Sklllfully, but
the accuracy Of the nickname, harsh as
it may be, can be judged by whether
he answers directly or evades or tries
rough stuff to avoid such questions as
these:
"Why did he lay down on his prom
ises to complete the subways, even if
it meant Executive interference with
the Board of Estimate?
"Why did he promise commissioners
who would be representative of the
people and not creatures Of the cor