New-York tribune., 1909-03-28
J. A. BENSEL FOR MAYOR
FRIENDS LOOK TO HIN TO
UNITE FACTIONS.
Tommany, in Desperation, Opens Ne
gOtiations 1cith Mayor after
Truce zcjth McCGTen.

Mayor Mcclellan Charles F. Murphy and Sen
ator P Fl. McCarren
Just to what extent harmony negotiations now
under way will be carried. and whether admit
tedly refractory elements be welded to-
gether to bring about Democratic victory at
the polls in November, cannot be forecast at this
fine.
The man most anxious for Democratic har-
mony is Charles F. Murphy. Next is Patrick
Henry McCarren- Mayor McClellan's interests
can hardly be said TO be nearly related to, or an
aIogous with those Of Messrs. Murphy and Nc
Carren. The tie that binds is the organization
spirit.
The Mayor, like many another New York
Democrat in looking at the Democratic wreck
age in the state and nation, doubtless yearns for
an opportunity to be a Democratic Moses. To
his friends he pleads guilty TO being Demo-
crat, but mis- demeanor certainly indicates that
with him fealty to Democracy is continuous
struggle.
The news of the situation lies in the factor.
at least, it seems to be a fact-that President
John i. Bensel of the Board of Water supply
chief engineer of the Dock Board during the
time that Mr. Murphy dominated. and at THIS
time in full enjoyment of Mayor Mcclellan
confidence. has had two or three talks with Mr.
Murphy recently. and the topic has been or
ganization harmony. with discussion of the
possible unifying force.
BENSEL FOR MAYOR
It is suggested by Mr.. Bensels friends that he
as the Tammany candidate for Mayor, would
serve as successful unifying force. While he
was chief engineer of the Dock Department he
enioved confidential relations with Mr.. Murphy
In four years the goddess Of fortune became
such a fixed affinity with Mr.. Murphy that at
the end OF the quadrennium, almost without
knowing how he got It, Mr.. Murphy possessed
a large personal fortune owned fine country
nIaca at Good Ground. his brother Jack had
hlossomed into contractor on a large scale
while the prevailing tint of the paper on the
wall Of the Anawanda Club. in Second avenue,
became old gold.
Perhaps il is only a coincidence that within
p week after Mr. Bensers effort as a unifyins
force came into prominence the Mayor had an
opportunity to promote two city magistrates to
The Special Sessions bench He selected Joseph
r Moss Charles + Murphys personal friend
for one Of the places Mr. Moss Is regarded o2
the bench as efficient magistrate but when
his appointment was announced it was sug-
gcsted that there were half dozen other ef-
feisat magistrates and tirat the Mayor might
have chosen one not member Of the Ana
wanda Club.
The Moss incident is not a large or necessa-
ril,- significant olive branch from the city Hall
20 rammauy Hall but friends of the Mayor ad-
NIT that 1t has signifiCance-that there is
something doing"
TAMMANY'S LAST HOPE
II Tammany does not elect It's city ticket tins
fall the uaxt four years may witness the break
inl. up Of the organization. William r. Hearst
demonstrated in 1905 that it vas minority Of
ganization by q large margin practically break
ing even with it In the mayoralty fight without
counting the WINS Republican organization vote
at all
win the tightening Of the Civil Service laws
the raising OF the standard in some Of the de-
rartr,ents by the Mcclellan administration ana
tho ,,.,rar,itting warfare Of the graft killer.
,rar,r,apv has been weTngh starved 10 death.
The hope of electing a machine candidate for
Navor is what keeps the organization togsther-
Mr. Murphy admits to his friends that he Is
facing a crisis and that he must win this ran
or turn over the leadership to some one else
Hence the truce witt. McCarren and the oegih-
ming Of negotiations with the Mayor.
II Mr. Murphy can direct a successful cam
paign in November he counts on getting help
from, various quarters. He hopes to get some
rr,r,5 tb. Board OF Water Supply, controlling the
Cats.u aqueduct work. There is under way
S.OOpn 600 worth of work, and this figure VIII
be doubled inehe next four years. With changes
in the commission Mr. Murphy has hopes of
something from that quarter Public improve
ments in The Bronx, and Queens and Richmond
present pleasing prospects to Tammany.
McCarren needs control in Brooklyn as much
as Murphy needs it in Manhattan Building
onerations on large scale have been resumed
I'm RrookIyn new transportation lines are GER
tain i'm the next four years, and Senator Nc
Carren has the faculty Of successfully watering
and pruning all such undertakings.
SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS.
In Washington the other day. not by accident,
the Tammany barring Suzer, who is to
he disciplined advertised to the party as
whole that the national Democratic organiza-
tion was Of secondary Importance to them. At
Albany senators Grady Sullivan and McCar-
rem constantly remind their constituents by
their votes that too much reform in any direc-
tion is dangerous thing for the Democratic or
eanization in this state Both In Washington
and Albany there is a studied attempt to con
tinue or revive. certain connections that VIII
make il easier to finance the local campaigns.
thoroughgoing reconciliation between Mayor
Mcclellan and Charles F. Murphy is not looked
for by those close to the two men. What is ex-
6ected is a cessation of strife which has embtt-
tered Tammany leaders against the Mayor. He
has paid little or no attention to their requests.
Practically none Of them goes to the Mayor for
anything
What Is looked for now is not full resump
tion of the relations which gave the district
leaders with Murphy's knowledge. a welcome
at the Mayors office during his first term, but
conditions which will warrant them in taking
credit to some extent, for the remaining ap-
pointments to be made by the Mayor Thess
are not numerous or important but such
+bo,- are probably they will be satisfactory to
rarnnany Hall in its present famine stricken
decrepitude
whether the Mayor will derive satisfaction or