New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-28
MAYOR GOES TT ALONE
Drops MR.. FEATHERSON.
j. III. O'Br1en Not Handling City
Patronage, Either.

Mayor Mcclellan has broken with Maurice
FeatEerson, VINO was regarded as his chief po-
Htical lieutenant in his struggle with the Muir
ply machine in control os TaE7nlany Hall.
Neither Mr.. Featherson nor Water Commits
sioner John y. O'Br!en any longer has a
voice in the handling oE City Hall patronage.
Corporation Counsel Ellison comes nearer being
the political executive ofloar on the Mcclellan
ironclad than any one else. but even Mr.. Ellison
is not trying inject politics into the distribu-
ton of patronage.
II probably is fact, and was asserted last
night by tho intimate friends Of Mayor Nc
Cleau. that ne has determined henceforth abso-
lutey to disregard political considerations IN
the distribution of patronage and run his ad-
mnstration strictly business principles
The break with Featherson came last week.
when the Mayor refused 10 appoint city magis-
trates desired by Mr.. FeathersOn. Mr.. Feather
son submitted three names. among them Magls-
tTate FineIite. who also close personal friend
of Borough President Ahearn. Mayor Mcclellan
ignored Mr.. Featherson's requests as wen as
those from other powerful interests. and after
talking the subject over with Corporation Coun-
sci Ellison. appointed Assistant Corporation
Counsel Butts. Harris and kernochan. The trio
were suggested by Mr. Ellison as in every way
ht for the magistrates bench Tho last named
was the Mayors personal selection, he and Mr.
Kernochan having been friends for years Ex-
Commissioner Featherson did not know that the
appointments were to be made. Neither did
Commissioner OBrien.
The sudden shift in the Commissioners OF Ao-
counts OF ONCE last week when Commissioner
skal gave way 10 Assistant Corporation
Counsel Mitchell, so 20 have lawyer in
charge OF the Ahearn investigation. also was
part OF the changed programme at the City Hail
Just what effect the dropping OF Featherson
will have in Tammany Hall remains to be seen.
1t was said last night that the Murphy men
were so rejoiced over the unhorsing of Feather
son that they were ready 20 do all thoy could.
without the asking, 10 prevent the recount bin
from becoming law.
Last week overtUres made by close per-
sOnal friends of Charles F. Murphy. his brother
John. and ex-Aldernan James Z. Gaffney sup
posed TO be joint owners Of the New York Con-
tracting and Trucking Company. to have the
administration deal more gently with the COM
panys contracting interests. Mayor Mcclellan
told the emssaries. Of whom was former
justice OF the Supreme Court that ne was not
fighting Charles F. Murphy except where Mr..
Murphy's private interests conhicted with the
citys interests. and that he would continue TO
fght him those lines.
The particular cause for an appeal for Glenn
ency last week was on account OF steps taken
by Police Commissioner Bingham and Health
Commissioner Darlington against the New York
Contracting and Trucking Company, at the
Pennsylvania terminal site. 1t seems the COM
pany has for a long time been working three
shifts OF men, and the blasting operations have
made night hideous all around the neighbOr-
hood. So many complaints reached the Police
and Health departments that Commissioner
Bingham finally had to do something. He and
Commissioner Darlington told the Murphy com
pany that IT would have 20 stop the racket at
night and Commissioner Darlington put three
violations on the work.
The Pennsylvania contract is about the only
big piece OF work that the Murphy company Is
handling now, and stopping two shifts is a
very serious matter 10 the Murphy interests.
Now that Commissioner Bingham is in
prerne command OF the Police Department. the
Murphy men have lost any pull" that might be
efIlcacious with him.
Things never looked blacker for Murphy's
leadership in Tammany Hall than they. do at
present While Mayor Mcclellan may not con-
slider II worth while 20 make any direct fight
against him, 1t is a humiliatng state of things
when the Mayor Of New York makes political
Appointments without consulting with the Tam
many leader, and this the Mayor PURPOSES 70 do.
Mr. Murphy's friends prefer TO have the Mayor
make an aggressive fight against Murphy; then
they can work the feeling of loyalty in the
heart OF every Tammany machine man and
keep the Murphy lines intact. But absolute in
dependence Of the 14th street machine Will leave
Murphy 20 starve to death politically.