The New York herald., 1920-01-06
Wet or Dry Question Revive
Becomes APPARENT I
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ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALp.1
ALBANY, ". Y, Monday.-As the law
makers and political leaders of the State
assemble for the opening on "Wednesday
of the 1920 session OF the Legislature. pro-
hibition is again the dominating subject
which overshadows partisan contests.
booms for Governor and the score of con-
flcting issues involved in the numerous
bills already being drafted.
The bipartisan State administration
again confuses the situation, as it did
last year. The Republicans are in con-
troll in both branches of the Legislature.
Governor Smith tonight is finishing his
message and the Republican leaders are
awaiting his recommendations before
making known their programme. On one
thing only the Republicans appear to be
agreed; they are opposed to all welfare
legislation. That probably will be one
of the hard fought contests of the session.
The Supreme Court decision today in
Washington on the constitutionality of the
Volstead act was the main topic dis
cussed tonight in all the party conferences.
It is evident even at this early date that
there has come change in the Legisla-
ture on the liquor question; there Is an
overwhelming sentiment in favor of some
kind Of modification of the bone dry law
Whether that sentiment would stand the
test OF an open vote in the face OF the
hostile "drys' Is problematical.
sswetsr Prospects Brighten.
But the leaders appeared TO agree that
the division OF the highest court by five
to four brightens the prospects of the
vets. The opinion here is that when the
court rules on the constitutionality of the
eighteenth amendment and the question
of concurrent power OF States to enforce
that amendment there may be further
change in the court. The "wets' base all
their hopes of States'rights.
There is q strong sentiment in favor OF
some action which will sustain the right
of this state 10 make its own eenforce-
ment law, under the concurrent clause OF
the eighteenth amendment. II such a
view is sustained there Is reasonable
ground to believe that the last fight will
be for a modification, even IL IL is slight,
of the rigid rule which now stands. re is
regarded as curious how the prohibition
question has bobbed UP again at the very
outset Of the session. Every one had be-
lieved Il dead and out OF the way.
AS far as can be learned, the Eepubli-
cans have not laid down any definite
There IS much discussion Of
the transit situation throughout the state.
There will be n great amount or legisla-
tion on that subject.
Appointment OF subcommittee OF the
Legislature to deal with the entire subject
is now proposed by the majority. II Is un-
that the suggestion Ia TO select
a committee which will study the rail-
road problem with view to framing a
state policy. That will either provide for
increased fares, for some form Of modi-
fication OF franchises or approval OF the
cost plus system, known as the Taylor
Grant system. IL appears to be taken for
granted that the Legislature must do some
thing to relieve the street railroads.
FURRY over Walker Selection.
There was little furry here over the
Tammany selection OF Senator James j.
Walker, of New York. for minority leader
to succeed James A. Foley Some OF the
Senator'S who had aspired to the leader
ship were angry and threatened to make
trouble. Senator Walker has been a bitter
opponent OF w n. Hearst and some oppo-
sItion came from that quarter. II ia un-
derstood, however, that the selection
stands.
Upstate Republicans and visitors 70 the
Capitol were interested today in meeting
Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt
who arrived for his first official duty in
Albany. He went to the Capital wit
Assemblyman Simon T.. Adler, majority
leader, and to the Assembly Chamber
where he will sit as member. and late.
at the Ten Eyck Hotel met many old politi-
cal associates of his father
Republicans will caucus tomorrow night
on the selection Of their leaders. 1haddeus
c. sweet will be reelected Speaker. Mr.
Adler majority leader. and Fred w Ham
mond. OF Syracuse, clerk. Charles u. Dono-
hue. of New York. will be elected minori,.
leader OF the Assembly
Governor Smith will have $4,000 In
at hts disposal during the year
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