The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-03-16

INTERESTING
Plenty Opposition in Both
Parties, and Spirited
Fights Will OCCUR.
The mayoralty bee is buzzing.

Inc nlayOralty bee is buzzing.
A few men in the republican par
ty have heard the hum of its wings
Some of them seem to like the sound
and others are yelling ''shoo" at the
top of their voices.
In the democratic party the situa-
ton is different. There are four or
nve real live candidates and they are
all equipped with fine screened but
terfy nets and other bee catching de-
vices. In fact, it win not be at all
surprising if there are not some DEM
ocratic heads bumped in the scramble
TO catch that mayoralty bee.
Probably the first man to be suggest
ed for the republican candidacy was
Bob Kidney. Bob looked like a winner
to his friends, for the reason that he is
reasonably aggressive. a mighty good
fellow, member of several fraternities
and would receive the support of the
labor unions
Is NOT A POLITICIAN.
Bob kidney. however admits frank
Iy that he IS not a politician. He
stated yesterday that there was not
much prospect of his entering the race.
The only thing that would induce him
to become a candidate would be a sit
uation in which the field of candidates
was palpably weak, and then he might
jump into the breach and become a
candidate for the republican nominal
ton
Kidneys disinclination to enter the
field is not that he has not been suf-
fciently urged. but because he would
dislike TO take up the responsibilities
OF protracted and heated campaign.
Bob Kidney says: Should some
strong man. like Peter Crumpacker or
John W. Dyer. take the nomination I
believe the party could unite on one
of them and there would be little ques-
tion as to the result" In the event
one Of these men should accept the
nomination, it is doubtful if Mr.. kid
ney would enter the race
NEITHER ARE APPROACHED.
This brings up the possibility of one
Of these men as the republican mayor
atty candidates. Neither Of them. so
far as can be learned. have even been
approached in regard to the matter
and It is problematical as to what they
would do were the nomination TO be
10 one of them
Of course. Tom Swanton has been
suggested for the nomination. bur ia
now appears doubtful whether he
would accept the tender were it to be-
made The republicans are rather sur
prised that he has accepted a place
on Mayor Becker's police board.
and they say that as he has
done so It would end all talk of his
candidacy. A man could not accept
favors a the hands of the present ad-
and then be in position
to night il, as he should. when the time
comes.
ARE SEVERAL CANDIDATES.
In the democratic party there are
several candidates. of course. the one
who looms up the most Important
factor in the situation is Mayor Beck
ar. After spending weeks Of his time
1t Indianapolis in an effort to have a
aw passed that would permit him 10
succeed himself. it is not to be doubted
that he will avail himself Of the op-
oortunity to run again.
Mayor Becker's friends point out tha4
le has had an economical administra-
ion. They point with pride to the fact
hat the finances Of the city are in ex-
'ellent condition. They also point 70
'ome Of the new fire stations he has
quilt as an indication of the progress
lis administration has made 1t is also
veil known that the mayor has a
'retty strong political organization
Jack Of him and that makes him mora
vafiable as a candidate
But there is large and growing
-roup Of insurgents in the party This
action would like to see some other
nan succeed the mayor They are
eady to unite almost any other
nan. Ex-Sheriff Fred Carter is one of
ne men most prominently suggested
5 worthy opponent of the mayor.
HOWATT IS VERY POPULAR.
Dr. W r. Howatt is another man
pom whom the democratic party in
Hammond might unite DR.. Howatt ID
rogressive. They argue that his adj
would be the anti-thasIs
f the ultra conservative administra.