New-York tribune., 1911-11-26
CROKER ENDORSES GAYNOR
Declares Mayor Is Logical Can
didate for President.
MURPHY ABLE AND HONEST
Thinks Republican Choice Is
Narrowing Down to Taft
and Roosevelt.

/ Richard Croker, the one-time boss OF
Tammanv Hall. who arrived from his Irish
estate a week ago left here for Lexington
Ky. yesterday afternoon. He Is on MS
wsv To Palm Beach, where he has spent
! the winters for number OF years. MI
! Croker was accompanied by Miss Emily
| Croker. his niece.
! Refore leaving the National Democratic
Club. which has been his home In this city
Mr. Croker consented TO make a few poiiti-
cal observations, not that they maoe any
difference 10 anybody. he said. for he was
out Of politics. for good, but simply to iree
his mind OF certain thoughts that had
gathered there after going over with MS
old time friends conditions az they ap-
peared at the present time.
| As for possibilities for the Democratic
Presidential nomination, Mr.. Croker men
toned both Governors Harmon and Mar
shall.
"But isn't Mayor Gaynor the logical can
didate from the viewpoint OF New horA
state?" asked Mr Croker. with merry
twinkle in his eye. He has done sled'
work as Mayor under the most trying CIR
cnmstances, and l am sure would carry
New York State
When Mr.. Croker went on TO say tua1
! perhaps Mayor Gaynor would be DARK
horse in the Democratic National ConVeh-
| ton, some of his friends who overheard
| the remark did not seem TO take the sus-
gsstion any too seriously.
| MAYOR Gaynor is an exceptionally aole
man" went on Mr.. Croker. He is thor
oughlv honest and is dealing with the diffi-
cult problem of governing New York in an
.,f 40 fIndaEeTNe0
nosition OF fusion officials. l should caH
them confusion officials.
Commenting on political conditions IN
general. Mr.. Croker remarked that nova
dsvs there did not seem 10 be much differ
enoe between Democrats and Republicans
Most Of them seem to sink principle Tor
opportunity." he said. At this several OF
Mr.. Croker's friends could not suppress
smile.
As TO the Republican Presidential candl-
date Mr.. Croker observed
The choice seems 70 be narrowing down
between Taft and Roosevelt. While hoose-
Welt may not be nominated, I believe he
hulds the balance Of power in the Repuoh-
can party, just as Bryan does in the Demo
cratic party They have veto power On
the candidates
Whatever OF bitterness there may have
been between Croker and Charles F. Murphy
would seem to have passed away for the
former boss spoke In the highest praise OF
the present boss.
NO matter what some OF my callers may
have said" he declared. Il am sure that
Mr.. Murphy did splendidly in the last cleo
ton I am sure he did as well as / could
have done, and perhaps better. He won
against g strong combination. You know
we never we're able TO win against fusion.
7 have always found Murphy an able and
honest man
Mr. Croker said he had had a talk with
Maurice Featherson, and did not think he
would start any fight against the Murphy
leadership. What can he do?' said Mr'
Croker He is a Democrat, and II is his
duty to stand by the Democratic party We
can't all have our way. That's what have
told them"
Mr.. Croker said he did not think much OF
the suggestion 10 drop the name Tammany
as signifying the democratic organization
in New York County. Although the name
was distastefui TO many Democrats else
where, II had been good enough to win vic
tories for more than hundred years, and
should be retained,
AS for public improvements Mr.. Croker
thought the city was about ten years ahead
of its growth and srould sit down and wait
and let the taxpayer set some relief. lie
cited the Greensboro Bridge as an example
Of an Improvement that was not used suf-
fciertly az present 10 paw for its cost