New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-17
TROUBLE IN THE TEPEE. |
BIG CHIEFS CLASH.
Murphy and Mcclellan Dig Up
H0tchets OUer Thomas HaSSett.

The storm signals are I'D on the WlgWarn
Murphy and Mcclellan have clashed Murphy
hay asked. through trusted agents, If the Mayor
is going to appoint more men to Office without
consultation with the organization leaders.
Murphy as yet has not obtained an answer.
The clash was caused by the appointment OF
Thomas Hassett to be secretary Of the Board
of Water Supply. This place commands a sal
airy OF $4,000 a year and is regarded by Charles
F. Murphy and his advisers as one OF great
potentiality. When the Water Supply Board
was organized. under a law passed late last
spring, the secretaryship was left vacant Last
week Mr. Hassett who has been the Mayors
chief clerk. was appointed. 1t is spoken OF as
life job
Nothing that Mr.. Mcclellan has done since
he became Mayor has Jared Murphy and his
friends like the appointment of Hassett The
Water Supply Board will, within the next ten
years have much to do with the spending OF
S1T5.000000 for the extension Of the cty's
water system into Greene and Schoharie coun-
ties The proposed aqueduct taps reservoirs
in Ulster County. Enormously costly p1pines
must be laid from the mountains down the
Hudson to the Croton system in Westcnesttr
County With the right kind of a secretary in
the board the detail work could be SO managed
that Tanmany Hall would control the Demo-
cratic politics in Westchester, Ulster, Greene
and Sohoharie counties, thus largely increasing
Tammanys prestige in the State.
Mr. Hassett is politician of the Hill-Camp-
| bell school having helped Frank Campbell run
the politics of steuben County until he moved to
| New-York and became connected with Mayor
McClelan's staff. On account of his intelligence,
he is likely to be efficient in office but that does
not count with Mr. Murphy in this particular
| instance. Murphy was not consulted about it
If he had been. doubtless some other man would
have been suggested for the place. Mcclellan S
act is taken as q slight upon the leader of Tam
many Hail. 1t was learned last night that a
friend Of the Tamnlany leader has told the
| Mayor that Mr. Murphy wants an understand
| ing with him without further delay, so that
| Tammany may know what to expect
The appointment of Mr.. Hassett is ascribed to
| the influence of Mayor McClellan's so-called
kitchen cabinet The kitchen cabinet includes
Secretary O'Brien Corporation Counsel Delany
Mr. Hassett and one or two others The same
| cabinet insists that the Mayor appoint Thomas
F. McAvoy Police Commissioner and reappoin;
Commissioner woodbury.
The Mayor now faces alternatives. He car
| stand by the organization, have the support OF
| the Tan1many rren in the Board of Aldermen
| and get along well with old friends. or he car
| turn reformer ana disregard the organization
as he did in appointing Mr.. Hassett to the Water
supply Board. The Mayor several months age
gave MUrphy's men to understand that under
] no circumstances would ne keep Commissions
woodbury. in cface after the end Of this year
Now he wants to keep him If he retains Wood,
| bury it viii cause trouble In the Wigwam. His
| appointment of McAvoy would not be distastefu
to Tammany, and it may be the Mayor will play
| one proposition against the other. He could
| make Murphy take woodbury. as medicine
| and then give him NIcAyoy as lump OF sugar
| 10 take the bad taste away
The question about McClelans status WIFE
| the Tarnmany organization must be settled TINS
week or next The Tanmany general com.
| mittee will NEST to organize for 1906 on the
| night of December 2S. The Mayors appoint
| nlent Of Mr. Hascett without consultation witt
the leader of the organization has strengthened
| Murphy with the district leaders, and there Il
little prospect OF Murphy being retired from
| control of tine organization, for the present a
| the Mayors tepds TO strengthen the hold o
tbe leader on the machinery of the organiza
! ton If Mcclellan breaks away from the or
| gsanization and makes his appointments with
! out regard to the wishes of Murphy, 1t WI
| leave Murphy without patronage, and NIGH
force his retirement. but unless the Mayor DIS
misses from Office all the heads OF department.
Who are district leaders it is believed tina
| Murphy will have no trouble in retaining nj
An important conference of the district lead
ers is expected this week. Probably before
| Saturday night Mr. Murphy viii know whethe
there will be more appointments ike thaL
Mr.. Hassett.