New-York tribune., 1912-02-04
SOME THINGS CUT A MAN
Gaynor Tells Diners Charges Of
Politics and Coercion Do.
NONE IN EDUCATION BOARD
Ready to Make Short Shrift of
Anybody Who Tries to
Boss the Schools.

Mayor Gaynor told a lot OF well fed ed,i-
the Hotel Astor to honor Frank D. Wilsey,
a member of the Board Of Education, that
there were some things that cut man.
and in his case one Of them was the charge
that he had been attempting to inject poll
tics and coercion into the board
Those OF you gentlemen who went to tho
newspaper offices and spread that report. -
he said, may feel happy at the result.
However, | bear you no anmosity ] have
tried neither to coerce the board nor to IN
troduce politics into it."
The Mayor did not arrive at this dinner.
which had very much the look of a meeting
10 accelerate the fortunes of Thomas W.
Churchill. the Mayors candidate for presi-
dent Of the Board of Education. until IL
O'Clock. and then cnly after Park Commits
sioner Higgins Of The Bronx had person
ally left the guests table and gone out into
the night TO find him. II was Mr. Higgins,
former member Of the Board Of Educa-
ton, who told a number of the commits
sioners at recent meeting OF the board
that the reelection OF President Egerton
l.. Winthrop. jr., would he considered by
the Mayor as an unfrendly act.
Mr.. Churchill. the Mayors favorite for
the job. was one OF the speakers Next
him at the guests table sat Jeremiah T
Mahoney, who has been most active in
conducting his campaign within the Board
Mr.. Wisey himself is an ardent adherent
OF Mr.. Chmrchill's. Mr.. Winthrop was not
present, nor was his name mentioned
throughout the evening, although Mr.
Churchill, in person. and at the mention OF
his name. was vigorously applauded
Borough President Miller Of The Bronx.
who presided as POSTMASTER since Mr.
Wilsey is a Spuvten Duyvilian. ended a
short introduction Of the Mayor With these
words:
we see him touch with practised hand
the gamut OF human interests from Epic
tetus 10 boiled eggs"
Although | accepted the invitation to be
here with pleasure" thC Mayor began. II
had some hesitation In coming because the
doctor tells me ! have caught cold. | tool
up newspaper a day or so ago and read
I'm II that | had been introducing politics
and coercion into tn Board of Education
] thought that II | had done anything no
ticeahle IT was tha. ! mad kept politics ont
OF the city government, nut II seems now
that ] am going to introduce IT into the
hoard There are 1ome things that really
cut man.
Those OF you gentlemen who went IN
the newspapers and spread this report may
feel happy over the result. However,
bear YOU no anmosity have tried neither
to coerce the board nor Introduce politics
into II. In appointing men To II I haven't
even inquired as to their religion. | have
SIMPLY looked 10 their qualities as men.
Politics has had no part In II whatever
~ YOU walt for mo 10 bring politics into
the Board Of Education you will never have
any. The same about coercion.
i say this with the utmost good humor
and good nature IS for coercion. the two
gentlemen who think | am guilty came "a
me and asked me 10 support their candI-
date. ] told them | couldn't indorse their
candidate, and that I didn't want to indorse
any candidate.
Il haven't spoken 10 a soul on this very
delicate matter except those who came %
see me personally and voluntarily. I did
finally. because ! couldn't get rid Of it ex-
press a preference for one out OF the five
men who were candidate Tho Mayor has
to have daily official relations with the
Board OF Education. and they persuaded me
that II was fitting the President Of the
board should be acceptable TO the Mayor
80 FAR as ] know. no Hcarstite or Tam
mlnYte or Tigerltc or Republicante OF
any other political leader. has sought 10 get
control Of the Board ~ Education. II
there Is such chap about wen make short
shrift OF him"