New-York tribune., 1921-03-14
Traction Bill
Caucus Fight
Due Tonight
Lockwood and Duggan to
Lead Republicans of City
in Opposing Effort to
Obtain Party's Backing
Early Passage Planned
Measure To Be Sent to Third
Reading in Both Houses
ON Tuesday or Wednesday
t,-o,,, a Stoe Corre>oori-.t

FROM. Staf Coyre>ooni-rt
ALBANY, March 1s. - Legislative
eaders plan 70 pass the Kn;gh.-Adie-
bill. which embodies Governor M:.ler's
traction program, within the next ten
Gays.
The Ars. step in this direction will
De at attempt to caucus on the BILL In
both houses tomorrow night This
move will be fought By number OF
New York City Republicans. II the
Senate, Senator'S Charles c. lockwood.
os Brooklyn, and Senator William Dug
gan. o: New YORK, viii lead the New
York City men, while the upstate
sentiment against caucus will be
~o;ced By Senator Frederick Il. DaveA-
port. professor OF po-;tica, economy q.
Hamilton College.
TIE New YORK C:cy members os .he
Assembly, who w;.l lead TIE opposition
to caucus in the lower mouse, are:
Joseph Steinberg and George y Jesse.
Of New York, and James Il. Cau,ae.d,
Of Brooklyn.
Opposes Party Responsibility
"Regardless OF the merits o. the
bill" said Senator Duggan. 'the parry
should not be asked 70 shoulder tie
responsibility Cor passing i, unless
hose VINO are behind such move
ment want % destroy the parry for the
next four or FIVE years in th:s state.
n the first place me bill was -.ot part
c. the Saratoga platform in any shape
- form. Secondly, Governor Miller
n his campaign speeches gave 10 hint
reasons alone The bill should rot De
made the subject O. party caucus.
hen another reason is rhat the BIZ
eoes .oc represent me sentiment Of tte
9arty. aor Of any other representative
group II this state"
Senator Duggan pointed ols that Re-
rcblica- senti.aer. o. -he bil, vas ex-
Pressed through re State Conference
q Mayors. made up almost exclus.ye,r
= Republicans
"Tne STATE Conference of Mayors"
sdded Senator Dugeaa, CONDEMNED the
bill by al overwhelming vote, and thi.
g the best sor. OF Republican sent
men. o. (. statewide nature .nat tie
~srty leader here IN ire Legislature
could asl. <o-
New York City legislators opposed
- the bill and men from upstate who
A-e against ! ere hoping tha. .he
.eaders eil not tty TO caucus OF .ae
Dill Opponents ot the BIZ dec.sre
nat without caucus Il would 70. be
possible 20 pass the bill IN tl.e Senate
'vhile the proponents 0. the measure
@eclare that there are "a least twenty
seven votes-one more than the re-
auired majority-p edged 20 the bill.
The Assembly, all agree. has twenty
n the traction bill.
Special Order for March 90
The bill viii De advanced 70 the Or
ler Of third reading in both houses
either Tuesday or "Wednesday. !. is
rot Impossible. = the leaders are so
minded and they have the votes. t.
present intention 5 20 MAKE TIE meas
re sqecial orier Cor Tuesday,
Larch %.
Meantime The opponents o. the
measure Will seek TO have action post
poned until another hearing is granted
on the bill. holding tnat ghe new
.mendments 20 il. adopted since the
hearing. practically make i. new
bill
When these requests first reached
me Legislature Senator John knight
Il Arcade, who introduced the bill in
he upper house, and vino has the final
say as 70 whether hearing shall De
yranred, announced that there would
be 10 further hearings.
hforts, however. VIII be made to
.ersuade Senator Knigh. ina. another
caring should b, granted, contendine
taas the most vitai charge H the bill
mich gives the Transit Commission
lower 20 increase fares imnediatelv.
Is n direct contradiction % all tha,
tie sponsors OF the bill had said or tre
subject o. increased fares
nen The traction bill s out % the
eay the leaders plan TO caucus on the
alton direct primary repea, bill.
inch restores the party convention
s. stem in the selection OF candidates
Tor the judiciary and statewide Offices.
This Will cause as much dissens!on
as the traction bill. The proponents o9
the bill have been promised : special
message from Governor Miller on d.
rect primaries and on the entire CUB
,ect Of election law changes.
The Mullan-Gsge dry enforcement
oills are on the calendar in the order
Of Hnal passage, ana it is the intention
Of the leaders to pass them either to-
morrow ripht ~ T-oe6o-