New-York tribune., 1922-12-22
Republicans to
Give Smith Free
Hand in Transit
Leaders Announce After
Meeting That New Assem-
bly, Will Not Oppose Him
Unless He ''Runs Wild"
City Vote Shapes Course
Governor to Ask for Trans
pOrtation Reform i'm His
First Message at Albany

FNlioNlNk conference lcatelual az
me Republican State Committee head
quarters, attended By George X. Nor
ris, chairman OF the State Committee;
William L. Ward, chairman Of the
state executive committee; Speaker II.
Edmund Maehold. Jacob A. Livingston,
he Brooklyn leader, and Secretary
Lafayette 3. Gleason, OF the State
Committee, Il was learned that the Re-
publieans, who control the Assembly.
ALL give Governor Smith about every
thing he wants in recognizing the
Transit Commission.
The conference yesterday was not
long. but IL was important. The prob
able legislative program Of the new
administration was diGcussed In all its
important phases. The judgment was
unanimous that inasmuch as New
York City had twice in q general elee-
ton, recorded objection TO the Miller
transit policies, it was no more than
right that Governor Smith should be
allowed TO do whatever he likes in
handling transit unless he should
run Wild" and advocate soeialiEatlon
OF public utilities. In the latter case
Tho Republican Assembly would fight
his plans.
Repeal OF DRY Law Discussed
The proposed repeal Of the Mullan-
Gage enforcement act was discussed
briefly. Most OF tho leaders expressed
the opinion that Mr.. Smith will not
advocate repeal Of the law. The feel
ing Is general that Mr. Smith is look
ing for the Democratic Presidential
nomination In 1924. and that he will
neither hinder nor help any one to
erase the Mullan-Gage act.
Assemblyman George n. Jesse, Of
Manhattan. Is understood 10 be de-
termined 70 put Mr. Smith 20 the test
on the repeal Of the Mullan.Gags law.
He has told the Republican leaders
that II no one else introduces a repeal
bill he will do Il himself, not because
he wants the Law repealed. but because
the Democrats faxed the public" on
the wet and dry issue, winning thou
sands Of wet Republican votes on tho
hope held out that Smith is for the re-
peal OF the enforcement act. He is said
70 be determined 20 compel the new
/ N0NtElOE 10 ulAkf kAWu AA AAh NAAAH
paign propaganda.
The insurgency Of Representatives,
Fish and Mott and their seven brother
ConKressmen, who sent Chairman Nor
ris a letter asking for a statewide
conference Of Republican leaders IN
Albany early this winter, was talked
over yesterday. Chairman Morris told
the conferees that 80 far as he could
I IL afFaaNa h. NhE in.
surgents had not made much headway.
Il Is understood that there will be no
general conference until after Gov
ernor-eleet Smith gets his legislative
program under way.
Law Likely 10 Remain
The rumor that Walter W. Law jr.,
OF Westchester. might be tho new
state prohibition director was not taken
seriously. Mr. Laws term does not
expire until 1927, and he cannot be re-
moved from Office, except on good and
sufficient charges.
Governor elect Smith put the fin
ishiuE touches yesterday 10 bis first
annual message 10 the Legislature.
Contrary to original intentions, the
message will not deal with bis entire
program, but recommend for enact
ment FIVE subjects: Restoration Of d.
rect primay .s. home rule for cities, Je-
organiz' Of departments, reorgani-
zatior he rapid transit and public
seryise commissions and municipality
owned and operated busses.
other pledges Of the Democratic
marty will be dealt with In separate
Messages. One Of the FIRST Of the spe-
eial messages will deal with water
mower. Next 20 be taken up, IN all
probability, are agricultural problems.
Among subjects on which the Gov
ernor-elect already has drafted tenta-
tive messages Is one calling FOR q re-
apportionmeut Of Senate and Assembly
districts.
In talks with friends since the cleo
tion Mr.. Smith has expressed the
thought that Il Is an absurdity when
a man Of one political faith Is elected
nv a majority Of 385.000 70 find one
of the branches Of the Legislature
controlled by an opposing party. SJch
a situation, he believes, could be
obyiated largely by reapportionment
a Assembly and Senatorial districts.
lust how, he did not explain.
Az the Governor put II IN talk
With one OF his friends. bis policy VIII
be 10 submit the party's entire pro.
gram 10 the Legislature. have u passed
IN the Democratic controlled Senate
ara then give II 20 the Republican
majority IN the Assembly 10 take Il
or leave Il.