The New York herald., 1922-02-04
Impressed With Speakers
Plan to Reform Procedure
for Investigations.
FAVORABLE TO A CHECK
Assemblymen Talk Openly of
Voting Against Giving I'm
termyer More Time.

Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany. Feb. 3.
Gov. Miller is not convinced that the
Lockwood committee should be con-
tinued by the Legislature. He has had
conferences with Senator Lockwood
and Samuel Untermyer but has not
yet been persuaded that it is neces-
sary to give to the Investigators an ex-
tension of life. The outlook is getting
darker for the committee every day.
Declaring that his mind still is open
If it can be shown that the committee
has other important work to be done,
he sided with Speaker Machold and
other legislative leaders in their stand
against wholesale legislative investiga-
tions this year.
The Governor was asked what he
though of the Speakers suggestion that
committees should not be continued by
the authority of resolutions. but instead
that bills should be passed and sent to
him, providing for all Inquiries.
Lends to Cooperation.
II think that may be a good idea," the
Governor answered. 1T would bring
the Governor into cooperation with the
Legislature and insure careful consid-
GRAFTON of such proposals, whereas reso-
lutons are adopted often with very lit
tie thought
"Have you considered the request of
the Lockwood committee for an extern
sion of timer"
Not specifically"
HAS any one seen you about the
committee?"
'sYes. both Senator Lockwood and Mr..
Untermyer have been to see me about
II. / have not made up my mind.
Whether that committee is to be contin-
ind will depend on what further lines OF
inquiry it wishes to take and what part
OF It's work remains uncompleted. | do
rot know about that as | have not seen
the committees report"
The Governors approval of Speaker
Aachold's suggestion came as a surprise
10 the Legislature. This proposal when
put out yesterday by the Speaker was
accepted by the Lockwood committee
and the lawmakers generally as a move
10 get rid of Mr.. untermyer-and the
Davenport tax committee, which is go
ing into upstate county expenses.
Entire situation Changed.
Tho Governors Endorsement of the
Speakers suggestion has changed the
whole situation here. The Speakers
plan may be adopted as an administra-
tive policy for the remainder of this
session and II so the Lockwood Com
mittee will have a hard time getting
eiy extension of its investigating pow
crs. 1t will be a dozen times more
difficult TO get bill through the two
rcuses and their committees and past
the Governor than to provide for an
investigation by resolution. which only
has to be adopted by a majority vote
OF the two houses without going to
committees or the Governor.
While IL has been Understood here that
the leaders and possibly q ma ajority OF
the legislators were opposed to the
Lockwood committees inquiry because
or their personal dislike for Samuel I'M
termeyer and because of the protests
from clients and constituents who have
been investigated, it has been taken for
Granted that the Legislature would not
dare to throttle the committee for fear
Of public reaction.
Now the Assembly appears to be
ready TO take definite stand. En-
couraged by the Governors approval Of
Mf. Machold's position. the Assembly
men are talking boldly that they are
going to vote against giving the Lock-
wood committee further time.