New-York tribune., 1910-12-02
LE4DERSHEP AND sEBWAYs.


We wish the city administra ton
would take home 10 itself the words OF
Governnr-elect Woodrow Wilson on
leadership. What is needed in the sub
way situation now is a little leadership
the appearance upon the scene Of man
with the intellectual capacity 10 arrive
al Il policy. enough confidence in his
own judgment TO make him feel sure
he is right and the courage To carry ii
out. Perhaps this is asking too much.
Well. then the mere capacity To make
up ones mind would he welcome
Navor Gavnor talked before his election
about a lifetime devoted 70 the study Of
city government and traction problems
Il was not unreasonable. therefore. 10
expect him 10 have some well defined
noIicv. But where is his leadership
now: He creates the impression of q
man who is being driven from behind
by the force of public opinion and not
eniovinc the experience Certainly. he
is not leading the people At his junct-
IRE.
No one knows where the Mayor
stands Does he believe the city should
lave competition or monopoly III trans
nnrtations There is q broad question
IF policy which can he answered ire
snectivp of whether Mr. AicAdoo's offer
iS acceptable or not No one knows
And no one knows how ambitious an
undertak king in subway building he
thinks the city may venture upon.
About a real leader no such doubt would
exist The Mayors every public utter
ance on subway building betrays inde-
cisi0n. Indecision in regard To Mr. Nc
Adoo's offer is proper enough under the
circumstances for "a rea aSOnabie time.
but we are speaking OF general inde-
,.isi0n in regard 70 the whole problem.
incapacitv 10 arrive at 4 well defined
DOlicv and an apparent desire to shift
To others. committees of the Chamber
Of Commerce. the Merchants ASSocia-
ton and the like the responsibility
which is largely his Of deciding in its
larger aspects and in detail what is
best for the city. We are not saying
that he faiIs "a the leader called for by
the present situation because he has
rot made up his mind on the details
before him. but because he apparently
has not arrived al principles To guide
him in reaching a conclusion
Tie situation calls for some one of
mans size 10 take command. with that
infaIIible instinct for doing right which
the doers Of big things possess, that
faith in himself which such men have
and that capacity which is theirs not to
remain "open minded" moment too
long. But where Is he? The men who
have the courage to reach q conclusion
and act upon it have not the authority.
and those who have the authority
present the sad appearance al shaking
knees before the greatness of their re-
sponsibilties The result is thar We
have cross purposes. empty conferences,
endless talk Of making up minds. eXhi-
hitien9 If irritability. public bewiIder-
mput and words words words, lrroSo-
luton nlavs into the hands of hose who
WAX fat lipon the strap hangers. II did
sn under Mayor Mcclellan and il ever
win. They have dealt with city admin
istrations since a time when the men-
CRY cf man rinneth not TO the contrary,
and know ali The weak spots 4 little
forreftll leadership would compel them
10 Law all their cards on the table. y
little leadership would have digging he
g7lu somewhere soon