New-York tribune., 1922-10-15

lsrration, the, gubernatorsal candidate
declared that he felt sorry for the Gov.
ernor, as he did for the state itself
when political expediency and The
hunger of the local forces for patron.
age" forced the Governor to insist upon
the resignation Of the most competent
Highway Commissioners the state has
had since the organization of the de-
partment.
"The people OF the state had reason
to believe that no had nerve enough I'd
stand against the howl Of the patronage
hunters" said Mr.. Smith, "but they
were mistaken"
Praises Highway Chief
The speaker pointed out that when
he took Office as Governor the Highway
Commissioner at that time had served
beyond his appointed term, and he ap
pointed Frederick Stewart Greene, an
engineer of, long experience, who had
given special attention to road building
both here and in France, where he
served with the engineers Of the 77th
Division. Under Commissioner Greene
the speaker said, free hand was ex-
ercised in the department, and it was
raised above politics. The work OF the
was highly commended by automobile
clubs, rotary clubs and civic ,orEaniza-
tions throughout the state, the candi-
date said, and the citizens had reason
to believe that a good, vigorous policy
for bettermeDt was at last to obtain in
this important department of the state
government.
"But under Governor Miller politics
and patronage won, efficiency and bust
ness-like administration lost" said Mr.
Smith. Shortly after the first Of the
fk,4 E0vSn ,sC
sioner Greene and asked for his resig-
nation, notwithstanding that he had
three or four years of his term yet
to serve. Commissioner Greene did not
feel that he could render his best serv-
ice to the people Of the state unless
he had the active cooperation Of the
Governor. Lacking that he felt
the Governor should be given q free
hand in the management of this de-
partment. The whole state stood
aghast when they read in the paper
Commissioner and transferred him to
the head of the Highway Department
There never was a day in the history
of the state when as much apology was
offered for an appointment as the Re-
publican Senators offered to the state
on the day they confirmed His ap-
pointment."
Under the new commissioner all ap-
pointments were made upon the O. K
Of the political bosses, the speaker de.
clared, and the Highway Department
slipped back. into the mire of politics
from which it had been elevated by
Commissioner Greene. The plans OF
the previous commissioner for road
building were scrapped. according to
Mr.. Smith, and the great proportion ot
the roads built under the Miller ad-
ministration were after designs which
in other states are, considered tempo
rary roads,"
The former Governor made passing
reference to his plans while at Albany
for the reorganization Of the state sde-
partments in the interest of efficiency
and economy. He quoted former Sena-
tor Elihu Root at the time as being in
favor of the proposed amendments and
urging their passage. The Democratic
candidate wanted to know if Governor
Miller now took exception to what SEN
ator Root then said.
Mr.. Smith will start upstate to-
morrow on two weeks campaign trip
He will speak in Troy tomorrow night