New-York tribune., 1909-05-16
BROOKLYN NEWS
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH
Harmony Committee Seems To Be
Unable to Agree on Programme.

Gambling on the races has lost popularity in this
borough within the last few weeks. The sports
have found new field for speculation. The proper
thing now IS 10 bet the outlook for harmony
among The local Democrats. Ever since the tenta-
tive report of the so-called harmony committee
was submitted last Tuesday evening. the possbili-
ties have attracted the attention OF the entire gam
ing fraternity. In their speculations they have
had little aid from the Brooklyn press
The writers politics have been divided in their
opinions. some seeing peace in sight and others
predicting The harmony committee, it is
generally held. has always been farce, and it is
nothing else The committee was appointed
by the heads Of the County General Committee
simply to divert attention from Senator p H Nc
Carren, whose presence in the leadership has been
the cause of all recent troubles. Before the ap-
pointment OF the committee the "antis" asserted
that peace could only be had through the elimina-
ton Of McCarren. They then consented after
much bitter discussion. to meet the McCarrenites
half way. Part Of the object Of the McCarren
scheners was thereby accomplished, for the
''aftis' had something else 10 think about than
their antagOnism TO the county leader
A plan of those who appointed the committee
was to find a way of compelling the 'ants' TO
swallow their words and 20 achieve harmony
without disturbing McCarren. Now that the tenta-
tive report OF the committee has been presented. II
IS learned that neither faction approves il. The
McCarrenites reject the plan TO place the leaders
power in the hands OF a committee from now on
til the new County General Committee takes Of
AIAAA-NAA~N
leader could not survive the rule OF the oiigarchy
They also oppose the plan for the distribution OF
patronage between the regulars and the irresuIars
The 'antis' oppose the report, because Of the
power which would be vested in the committee 10
hold caucuses which would bind all who had the
right TO vote TO follow the dictates of the majority
Anv such caucus would be ruled by McCarrentes
and would bind the 'antIs' 10 stand with McCar-
ren. The caucus feature Of the report IS consid-
cred the principal niger in the wood pile There
others.
If they should accept the tentative report. the
''antis' would give the party in Brooklyn a chance
to gain great victory this fall-a rare occurrence
under the AIcCarren regime because of the divisions
If AcCarren did survive the reign OF the oligarchy
he would be stronger TO put down rebellion than
ever after the party had been stimulated by
victory. This would only put the 'antis" in q
more difficult position than before Many Of them
realize this. and oppose the adoption OF the report
for that reason. There is much reason to believe
that. the rank and file Of ''ants'' would not vote
with McCarren, whether their leaders surrendered
him not.
There is a great and growing body Of independent
voters Brooklyn. and it is getting its chief addl-
tons from disgruntled Democrats There are thou
sands Of Democrats who disapprove OF McCarren
and the souabbles Of Democratic offceholders-
notably those Of Controller Metz and Borough
President Coler-who declare that they will not
vote the Democratic ticket again until change IS
made in the party leadership.
Two reports may be brought in eventually but
there seems strong possibility that no agreement
OF any kind will be reached Mr.. McCarren. in
whose interest the harmony committee was ap-
pointed viii not accept anything that viii weaken
his influence, as he assured the members Of the
committee when they started out upon their career