The New York herald., 1922-03-12
UNIERMYER CAN SEE
gibbs in RENT PLOT
4
Blames Buffalo Senator for
Keeping Back Hous-
ing Bills.
Biz nOBBIES SCORED
Asserts Insurance Measures
Mean 800 to 400 Millions
Yearly to People.
LOCKWOOD IS DEFENDED
False Statement of Run Out
Alleged to Have Been Part
of Rings Tactics.

Samuel Untermyer gave out a state
nent yesterday charging Leonard W.
M. Gibbs of Buffalo, chairman of the
State Senate Cities Committee, with
being responsible for the situation en-
dangering the passage of several of
the more important bills in the housing
relief program.
Mr.. Untermyer also defended State
Senator Lockwood, in whom he ex-
pressed complete confidence. The lat
ter gave out statement just before
he started for Albany yesterday de-
claring he would demand an apology
from Senator Gibbs for the statement
that he had run out" on the support
ers of the bills by coming to New
York Friday.
In his statement Mr.. Untermyer Sc
verely criticized the fire and casualty
insurance companies, and said that the
sessions of the Legislature should be
extended few days If this is found
necessary to complete action on the
Lockwood bills.
Statement by Untermyer.
Mr.. Untermyer's statement was as
follows:
"A blind man who knows anything
about legislation can see what has been
attempts OF the val io.s underground
and unregistered insura nee and landlord
lobbies in and out of the Legislature to
find pretext for defeating this legisla-
ton by placing the blame on Senator
Lockwood is about as asinine a piece of
effrortery as can be conceived. If any
body imagines that there will be the
slightest difficulty in placing the re-
sponsibility for the defeat of any part
of this legislation where 1t belor gs, he
has another guess coming.
1T would indeed be a sad commentary
upon our form of government II the
absence for . few hours 81 The legis-
lative session OF a single man under the
circumstances here disclosed could de-
feat legislation of this urgent import
ance 1t is. Of course. not true.
Says Gibbs In Responsible.
"The stakes are sufficiently high to
require that all the amenities be laid
aside and the truth of this latest trick
be exposed. Senator Gibbs is person
ally responsible for the present situa-
tion and his attempt to shift the re-
sponsibility to Senator Lockwood Is too
dfsingenuous to pass muster in the light
of the facts. Senator Gibbs comes from
Buffalo, where there are a number of
prominent men under indictment as q
result OF the short visit of the COM
mittee to Buffalo. We are experiencing
no end Of difficulty and delay in bring
ing these men to trial. The only OBJ
lection to the bill requiring prison SEN
tences was made by the counsel for
these men from Buffalo.
Senator Gibbs has in his possession a
written request delivered to him by Sem
ator Lockwood signed by the majority
of his own committee asking him to re-
port out all these bills. Why has he re-
fused to act upon that request? Why
did he not report out the bills yesterday
as he could have done and as. II was
that three more men OF his Committee
are about to join in that request.
Senator Lockwood and have been
and are acting in the closest cooperation.
My demand has been from the beginning
and Senator Lockwood has Loyalty sup
ported the demand that the bills shall be
placed IN such position that every man
In the Legislature viii be put on record
II will be particularly interesting to have
Senator Gibbs on record on these bills.
Perhaps that is one reason why he has
not reported them out upon the request
of the majority of his own committee.
Interesting Vote Ahead.
Senator Lockwood also filed notice
20 dismiss the bills from the considera-
tion OF the committee. The vote on that
motion will be interesting. i regard the
drawing by Senator Gibbs of this red
herring across the trail In the form OF
the hubbub over Senator Lockwood's
absence last evening and the refusal
OF Senator Gibbs to report out the
bills as being all parts of a desperate at
tempt to kill them. That is the plain
English of Il.
millions OF human beings have a more
vital and direct interest In every part
Of this legislative program than In any
thing of the kind that has happened in a
long time and they are intently watch
Some of the more important of the
insurance bills are 80 essential and nom
controversial that they have forced the
reluctant support of even the Superin-
tendent of Insurance, which Ia saying
n great deal when Il comes to legislation
that the companies do not want.
Democrats Indorse PIsns.
mo Insurance -9Tctai on representa-.
tive of an insurance official has ever
appeared at any OF the hearings before
fhe legislative committees in opposition
10 any Of the Insurance bills. How and
whence, then, comes all this opposition
and especially this inspired attack on
Senator Lockwood who has been faith
full and courageous during all OF these
eighteen months Of our investigation
Let the people affected by these bills
remember when the time comes that
r4oet or this legislation Is recommended
by the unanimous vote OF the ten mem.
bers OF the committee. Republicans ant
Democrats alike, after taking thousand,
OF pages Of testimony and after tn,
most careful study and consideration.
I Il repeat once more and with renewe,
emphasis that these bills alone will
save the people OF the United State
from $500 ,0O0,0 900 TO s400.000,000 pc
year by doing away with extortionat'
premiums that are now being paid II
excess Of a liberal profit TO the com
lpanies. These bills are Of nationwid,
Importance. Almost every one is inter