New-York tribune., 1905-08-27
OPPOSITION TO HAFFEN.
MoUement for Fusion IN The Bronr
Gaining Strength.

With no leadership fights among either Bronx
Republicans or Democrats in prospect voters of
this borough, particularly Republicans and anti
Hafien Democrats looking ahead to the com
Ing municipal and borough elections and agftating
for fusion ticket against Louis F. Harfen the
Tammany Borough President This feeling which
is becoming widespread. described In The
Tribune Of last Wednesday when 1t was pointed
out that the only way to beat Hafen was to place
g Repubiican-citzens Union and independent
Democratic fusion ticket IN the field.
This was done two years ago when Coroner Jo-
seph l. Berry headed the anti-Tammany ticket for
Borough President. The fusion forces made a
creditable showing. but Haffen went IN on the
Mcclellan wave which swept the greater city
The denomination OF Louis F. Hafen for his
present Office is regarded settled It rests with
Mr.. Hafren alone. and he has been known to
say anything which would indicate that he
not going to become the Tarnmany candidate once
more. Mr.. Haren's long tenure Of Office has en-
abied him to build up formidable machine IN The
Bronx, and he has given out the jobs at his dis
posal IN such q fashion as to insure the support
Of the Tammany rank and file.
His conduct OF Bronx affairs has meant but little
material advancement for the borough. His actv-
ity has been political rather than civic and Bronx
people are becoming tired of having the important
Office of Borough President in the hands of a
machlAe politician whose instinct is first Haffen
and then The Bronx
Commenting on a paragraph in The Tribune's
article CT August p. regarding the chances of
~~SN.1 NA~-1iHt I1aiAeil' Bronx Herald Cor
oher Niilam O'Gorman's paper said Friday;
There are about ten thousand Tamuanv Hall
Iieh anxious 10 see Louie ousted. Give them q
Ghance and they'll do the trick Fusion in The
Bronx means confusion on the hill.
Coroner OGorman is a power in Democratic noli
tics in the S4th Assembly District and his estimate
OF the probable number of Tammany men anxious
10 see Hafen ousted may be regarded as accurate
So many incidents in the last two years of Haf-
fen's administration count against him as the
proper persons 10 occupy the office of Borough
president that there exists plenty OF material with
which 10 conduct a telling and aggressive cam
paign against him IN the event of a fusion move
,neDt
That there is growing disaffection with Haffen
and his methods. among strong Tammany
nien. is becoming daily evident If these men could
De convinced that a strong and harmonious ticker
could beat Haffen in November they would not
hesitate 10 throw their strength against
almost every part of the borough is eroari
urluer the delay or great public improvements The
great sewer at kfngsbridge has been dragging along
and Haffen has never lifted a finger 10 hasten the
WORK which is nearly three years behind the con-
tract time. O 0
The people Of West Chester and Unionport denied
inolnerent about pressing TO completion the build
ing OF bridges over the Bronx River and West
chester-aVe. and the New-Heven Railroad tracks
sIe no" confronted with another obstacle speedy
OF Nestchester-ave. from the Bronx River TO Wesi
chester village which stupidity and perhaps poli-
ies seems 10 have dictated should held Ip until
t, tss tMo priages.and they under construction for
oIIy TWO instances of what declare 10 be the
giaTlns inefflcency of Hanen.