New-York tribune., 1909-06-04
WOODRUFF FOR FUSION
4 REPUBLICAN MAYOR.
Other Places on City Ticket Nay Go
to NOn-PdrtisdnS.

4 Republican for Mayor. the other nominations
to independents-thus far and further Chairman
Woodruff of the Republican State Committee. and
leader of the local organization IN Kings County.
is ready TO go along fusion lines in making up the
Republican municipal ticket this fall. He made
this statement Yesterday in order to clear some
confusion regarding his position caused by various
accounts of what he had said the opening Of
the 18th Assembly District Club house in Brook
lyn Wednesday night
Teh candidate for Mayor should be a Republican
who lives in Manhattan and has not been closely
affiliated with the organization preferably a busi-
ness man. declared Mr.. Woodruff. In the seec-
tion of such the organization leaders, he be-
lieves. should be ready to confer with representa-
tives the various Independent and anti-Tam-
many organizations.
But we do not want the sort Of fusion we had
in 1901" he added, with some emphasis. Then
ve all got together and spent the summer in di-
vding up things l should not object 10 the nomi-
nation of independents, even Democrats. for
other offices the city ticket. II it conceded
that the head of the ticket should be a Repub-
lcan'
TIL statement of the state chairman comes in
the nature Of surprise, for 1t has been under
stood that he In favor of a straight ticket
by the Republican organization in the coming cam
paign. He has also believed it possible to land
the nomination for Mayor for a Brooklyn
President Parsons of the New York County Com
favor Of fusion, refused last night TO comment on
the statement OF the state chairman "All that any
one is authorized say for me- he declared is
that I am IN favor of nominating the strongest
men-men who win"
In the winter PRESIDENT Parsons. at dinner
given in his honor by the Republican Club. made
speech IN which he pointed plainly TO fusion. Since
that time he has carefully refrained from pub
lie Utterance the subject. II is his idea 70 let
the views Of others come out, and thus TO get a
line on the general situation. before committing
himself TO any of procedure.
The state chairman. in making his statement,
pointed out that the Republican party had been IN
power in the nation since the first election Of Nc
Knley and in the since the election OF Gov
ernor Morton, and that its record had commended
itself to the people He added, however. that the
Republican party in this city 10000 votes be
hind the Democrats and that In order to win more
than $4,000 votes must be changed This, he be-
leved. could be done by appealing to the ndepen-
dent forces in the makeup Of ticket But II the
Republican party to take the responsibility
for good government TIE head of the administra-
ton must be Republican. he declared.
III We nominate a Democrat for Mayor. We
would have no responsibility" he said AT present
I have no IN mind. but our leaders will confer
with the independent forces and the man we nomi-
nate will be acceptable 10 them.
Y think the candidate should be a Manhattan
man This borough pays the largest share of the
taxes has the greatest problems 10 solve and de-
serves the head of the ticket"
Referring to the movement started for a cam
paign committee Of hundred independent cti-
zens. Chairman Woodruff said:
II I understand the ideas OF the men who have
started this movement, they viii insist only GER
tain principles in the selection OF candidates and
Will leave the question OF individuals. so far as
they fulfil the conditions to be decided later. l
should think that fusion such basis would be
a comparatively easy matter. II is only sir TO the
Republicans who furnish the great bulk OF the anti
Tammany vote 10 accord to them the head ot the
ticket I do not think any independent leaders
should concede less"