New-York tribune., 1921-03-21

Assemblyman Wells are apologizing for
tnelr espousal of the Livingston BILLS,
saying that they are not of their crea-
tlon. but were introduced ut the re-
quest of the Brooklyn organization,
which Mr.. Livingston controls. These
friends of the sponsors of the Living
ston measures even contend that the
graft in the New York City government
is greater than ever in its history,
even than that of twenty-five years ago,
when the Legislature created the
Lexow committee.
Ex-Governor Whitman, who has OBJ
tanned eighteen indictments against
members of the Police Department and
others connected with the Hylan adj
mlnistration since The Tribune forced
a. grand jury investigation of condi-
tlons, has gone on record for legis-
latlve investigation. The Ex-Governor
characterized conditions as even more
rotten than under the Tammany rule
OF eight years ago, when he, as District
Attorney Swann's predecessor, indicted
and convicted Police Lieutenant Becker
of murder in the first degree and five
police inspectors and numerous other
police officials of grating.
Sworn aftidavits revealing the means
names of the grafters, have been
placed before the legislative leaders
by those who are fighting for a real
investigation. This evidence affects
most OF the departments under Mayor
Hylan and some Of the county Offices.
Contractors Grow Rich
This evidence shows that contractors
favored by Tammany have grown rich
In the last three and half years. So,
too, have certain Tammany district
leaders and their near relatives.
Governor Miller touched on one phase
pier letting privileges as being one of
the reasons, in his belief, why some
officials are objecting to this source of
revenue being taken out Of the hands
of the city administration.
1t is an open secret that one promi-
nent Tammany leader became a mil
lionaire through the letting of pier
privileges. And when Asemblyman Jo-
seph Steinberg elaborated on the Gov
ernor's charges on the floor of the AS
sembly and became specific the Tam
many delegation tried to drown out his
words with jeers and cat-calls 1t
peated raps of the gavel silenced the
Tammany delegation that the stenogra-
pher was able to record the charges of
Mr.. Steinberc.
The Legislative leaders have agreed
to adjourn April 81. The Assembly al
ready has adopted resolution calling
for adjournment on April 15 Within
the next two weeks this resolution,
which is now in the Senate Finance
Committee, will be reported out
amended to provide for adjournment
sine die on the day agreed upon:
There is nothing to prevent adjourn
moNf 1ofrf c1oti tiNo
machinery is working smoother than
in years. The Knight-Adler public
utilities bill will be passed by the AS
semblv on Tuesday 1t will then go to
the Governor for his signature, since
it passed the Senate Wednesday. The
fact that this bill can be passed is
proof of the firm grip the leaders have
on the majority and every other meas
ure "hey wish to put through will be
passed with equal dispatch
Primary Repeal Next
The repeal of the direct primaries
SO as to provide for return to the
convention system of naming candi-
dates for the judiciary and state Offices
is the next of the bills on the program
for consideration by both houses. This
measure, introduced by Senator
Charles w. Walton, Of Kingston, is
ldeNtcai with the Dill senator walton
his introduced successfully for the
last khree years.
Governor Miller intends to send in
message urging the passage of repeal
of the direct primaries as provided for
in the Walton bill. Some of the reaction
ary elements in the party want com
pletc repeal of the system and return
to the old-fashioned method of picking
candidates for all Offices at party con-
venticns. 1t is not likely, however,
that the majority will go this far.
The plank in the platform dealing with
direct primaries calls for only a par
tial repeal, as is provided for in the
Walton bill