Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-08
WANT RIIS FOR MAYOR
PRESIDENTS FRIEND NEW YORK
POSSIBILITY.
Reformer OF Note Under Consideration
by FuHonists-Others
Talked OF.

In their quest for candidate for mayor
In New York the leaders of the fusion
movement are considering the eligibility of
five citizens who possess qualifications that
they think will appeal to voters of indie
pendent tendencies. These men are:
Jacob A. Riis, the social reformer, whom
President Roosevelt once styled 1.-The most
useful citizen of New York"
John w. Goff, recorder OF the city, law
yer and reformer
Charles A. Scheren, former mayor of
Brooklyn before the consolidation of the
five boroughs merchant and republican
leader of Kings county
Calvin Tompkins. merchant and president
OF the Municipal Art Society. and once
leader Of the national democracy.
Franklin Henry Giddngs professor of
sociology OF Columbia University, and
writer on social and economic problems.
The names Of these five men have figured
extensively in the calculations of the lead
ers of the republican and Citizens Union
organizations during the last three or four
days. They will probably be discussed at
the fusion conference at the Republican
Club tonight. It is not probable, however,
that any one will be agreed upon. Former
Gov. Odell, chairman of the republican
state committee, and R. Fulton Cutting.
president Of the Citizens Union, have not
reached any agreement concerning candi-
dates for any of the offices to be filed
No Preference Shown.
Neither Mr.. Odell nor Mr.. Cutting has any
personal preference in the matter of cam
didate for mayor. Each is apparently will
ing to agree to the nomination Of any man
who can present q formidable opposition
to Mayor Mcclellan. who will be the Tam
many candidate. Since the elimination of
District Attorney Jerome from the list of
evalables Mr.. Cutting and other Citizens
Union leaders have notified the republican
leaders that they have no other names to
offer.
Some OF the Citizens Union leaders say
that II the republican organization leaders
had joined In the unions demand for Mr..
Jerome's nomination he would have con-
sented to run. Mr.. Odell and his advisers
did not favor the selection Of Mr. Jerome.
out they have tried to convince Mr. Cutting
ana his associates that they are willing
to accept any other man who possessing
the necessary qualities, will be acceptable
to the Citizens Union
Jacob A. Riis, whose work on the east
SIDE and whose studies of municipal condt-
tions nave attracted general attention Is
the most recent addition to the list of ELL
gibles. Mr.. Riis is a Dane fifty-sfx years
Old and lives at Richmond Hill, Long ISL
and. He was a day laborer when he first
came to America. He then became news
paper reporter. He gained the friendship
Of President Roosevelt while the latter was
police commissioner.
urged by Brooklyn independents and re-
publicans, is a republican. He Is a leather
merchant and very rich. He is extremely
popular In his own borough and is consid-
cred good vote getter. He was elected
mayor Of Brooklyn before the consolida-
ton by very large majority. He Is sixty
two years old and was born in Germany.
Golf Has Backing.
John w. Golf seems to have the backing
of some Of the republican leaders. He is an
Irishman by birth and has large fol-
lowing among voters of that nationality and
descent. Next to District Attorney Jerome
he is considered the best vote getter in
Manhattan.
DR.. Franklin Henry Giddings, professor
of sociology in Columbia University, has
never been prominent in political sense
though he has taken an active interest In
social conditions of the municipality. He
has written many works on social problems.
DR.: Gdddings was born in Connecticut and
Is fifty-fve years old He has many strong
advocates among both the republican and
Citizens Union leaders.
Calvin Thompson is being talked of by
Citizens Union leaders. He has been con-
spicuous figure in many public movements
He Is one OF the most active members of
the Reform Club. is president of the Mu-
nicipal Art Society and an authority on
East Orange, N. j., forty-seven years ago.
but now lives at Tomptins Cove, L. l.
The Municipal Ownership League at a
meeting yesterday afternoon determined to
present the names Of William J. Gaynor
John Ford and Samuel Seabury. At this
meeting 1t developed that very grave
doubt was raised yesterday as to whether
Justice Gaynor would accept a nominate
cablegram was sent to Liverpool yester-
day in hope of catching the justice before
he sailed for home on the Baltic. He was
asked If he would accept nomination, but
no reply had been received up to last night
There was conference at the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel yesterday afternoon which was
attended by Chairman Odell. William Hal
pin, William H. Ten Eyck Abraham Cru
A. Elsberg and half dozen district leaders.