New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-20
WAR ON WOODRUFF
KRACkE GITES TIEWS.
Naual officer Issues Statement
of His attitude.

Brooklyn Republicans yesterday read with
great interest a statement from F. J.
KracSe. naval officer. that was construed
by some as a declaration OF war against
the leadership OF Timothy r. Woodruff
Mr.. Kraeke n the leader OF the 18th As
sembly District. and Is regarded By many
as the most powerful district leader IN the
borough. 10 was said that his statement
was not inspired BY animOslty 20 MI
Woodruff. nor was II 90 mean that Mr.
Kraeke viii try 20 interfere with Mr.. Wood
run
The statement outlines Mr. Kracke's pO-
sitIOn. The people OF his section were said
20 have been made uneasy BY stories in
the papers regarding the supposed partisan
views Of the naval officer since the mis-
understanding arose between Senator Root
and the state chairman. For several DAYS
letters poured IN on him. demanding that
he state his position fairly % the district.
The statement was issued I'm consequence
Of this demand. II reads as follows:
II am aware that the wisdom Of Mr..
WOOdTuffs continuance as leader Is JUS
now tsing widely discussed. n occurs "a
me TO say that my attitude toward his
leadership should be. and will be. deter
mined by the prevalent sentiment Of the
18th Assembly District When I speak Of
the sentiment OF the 18th Assembly Dis
tTict. do not refer alone 70 the opinion
Of these who take an active interest In or
gaElzatiOn politics there. ! shall also give
very great heed. so far as I have infiu-
eHce. 10 the opinions Of the Republicans
Of that district who are not actively inter
ested IN politics. hut who have no other
desire than 90 see the party cleanly and
- ann
porter Of all those progressive policies OF
which Governor Hughes is the one best
advocate.
MY personal liking for MFR. Woodruff
will emphaticaIIy not lead me 70 oppose
whatever kind Of leadership the people Of
our Assembly district desire. shall be
governed in that matter absolutely by the
temper Of the district.
1T has become somewhat the fashion for
leaders 90 approve Governor Hughes's poll
cies in an indefinite way. and then to Op-
pose them in secret. To avoid any unceT-
tainty as to my attitude. let me say that
wish to go on record as specifically favor
ing the Governors plan to put telephone
and telegraph companies under the juris-
dictiOn Of the Public Service Commission.
and favor also the enactment Of salts
factory and workable primary reform
measure. i DelieFe tnat tneIe SnOulu re
a free and full investigation Of any definite
instances of legislative corruption
In this wise only can the Republican
party retain the confidence OF the people OF
the state. and in this wise only can IL oc-
quiTe the right to ask for the cordial sup
port IN the fall campaign Of a candidate for
the head OF the state ticket whom Governor
Hughes may favor as a worthy successor,
should he persist IN hts determination not
to be again a candidate Of the party"
Outside Mr.. Kracke's district politicians
were inclined 20 view the statement as "a
feeler." The other candidate for the Lead
eTship Of Kings County is Congressman
William NJ Calder The politicians say
that he will now be compelled 20 come
out with statement Of principles 20 Off
set Mr. Kracke's statement. Neither Mr..
Kracke nor Mr. Calder Is avOwedly desiT-
Gus Of securing the leadership. They are
generally looked upon as candidates for the
Office. however.
There was an impression in Brooklyn
\ yesterday that Mr.. Kraclxe was being
pressed 10 fight Mr. Woodruff by Washing
ton, and that the loss Of hts position as
/ Naval officer was threatened II was de-
clared. on the other hand. that Washington
vas little likely TO Gust any Official from
his Office TO enforce its opposition TO Mr..
Woodruff. as the step would be calculated
/ to raise up more allies than enemies for
\ tie state chairman.