New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-01
FLIRT WITH HEARST
QUEER COMBINATION.
Democratic Thinkers SAID to
Need Former Candidate.

A working agreement between Nlhlam
r. Hears and the new Democratic League
is being arranged. with the idea or com
polling a thorough reorganization OF the
Democratic party IN this state
The men at the head OF the Democratic
league are pronounced conservatives, ana
Include ex-Judge Alton B. Parker. ex-
Judge Morgan J. O'Brien, ID. caoy Her
rick. Edward NJ. Shepard, Thomas NJ os-
horne and s. Stanwood Menken. COM
bination between men Of this type ana
radical like Mr.. Hearst at hrsi glance may
appear TO be a political absurdity, but IL
seems 10 be a fact. nevertheless, that the
Democrats League is quietly working out
a policy that viii be attractive 20 Mr..
Hearst. The shonts dinner for Mr. Hearst
at the Plaza Hotel on Saturday night was
the first eye-Opener.
The new move is disturbing Tammany
Hall The district leaders dc not know
whether 20 regard IL a menace or a
good sign. So far as II points 10 the over
throw OF William J. Connors as state
Chairman Il looks good 10 the Tammany
men. as Charles r. Murphy is planning
along the same lines. But the Tamnany
men do not know whether CT not il also
means The retirement Of Murphy as leader
why they are much interested in il.
Hearst as conservative, and working
with the Democratic League. is something
OF a surprise 10 the little people in the
independence party. but as Mr.. Hearst
pays the bills he never oonsults the little
people IN the organization untn after he
has decided what TO do.
The consideration that is driving the
Democratic and Independence leagues to-
Cether al this time is the fact that neither
can win without the other. Hearst has
enough votes TO illustrate any plan of the
old organization, and the arrogance II
Corners has convinced the consei natives
that they cannot beat Corners without the
aid OF Hearst. and possibly Murphy.
When s. StanwOOd Menken was asked last
night about a possible working agreement
between the Democratic League and the
Hearst men he said:
1T Is matter that I cannot discuss Mr.
Hearst is very important political factor
in THIS city and state. but q possible COM
bination with him is something that cannot
be talked about at this time. The Demo-
cratic League is going ahead with the for
nation Of its Committee Of one Hundred
and Five. Its aims are impersonaL II does
not aim al the destruction Of any leaders
or set OF leaders. but rather the rehabilita-
ton OF Democracy as a whole IN this state"
There VIII be a large Independence
League dinner for Mr.. Hearst al the Hotel
Aston on December IA, al which Mr.. Hearst
viii discuss the future Of his organization.
Charles 4. Murphy. the Tammany chief
tain, is due at the Wigwam to-day after an
absence Of two weeks at Mount Clemens
Mich. He is 10 see Judge Gaynor within
the next few days. lie called at. Judge
Gaynor's house in ST James just before
leaving for Michigan. but did not see the
Mayor-elect. who was temporarily absent.
Judge Gaynor expressed regret at his alb
senCe.
The Mayor-elect is talking with every one
who can impart political Information these
days. and no doubt he will get plenty Of in
formation from Mr.. Murphy. The Tammany
County Committee reorganization takes
place on December Is. but that does not in
terest the leaders SO much as Judge Gay
nOrs appointments,