New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-18
YES" SAYS Mr.. mitchell
70 MAYORALN QUERIES
Sinnifies Willingness, Desire
and Intention to Seek an In
dependent Nomination.
TAXES A FLING AT GAYN0R
Committees Go to See Port Col
lector-Some Progressives,
Under Birds Leadership,
Select Him in Secret.

robn Purroy Mitchell. Collector OF the
port and former President of the Board
- Aldermen. yesterday officially entered
,bs race for an independent nomination
tor Navor He signifed his willingness.
s.sirs and intention to run in replying
20 questions put TO him by committees
made I'D Of Progressives. independence
1aaguers. members of the Cleveland
Democracy and another OF Democrats and
republicans. The committees went TO the
custom House to see him.
Frank l. Polk. former Civil Service
commissioner. who came within an ace oc
hsipp named for Collector instead Of Mr..
mitchell. headed the committee Of indie
peDdents and acted as general spokes-
man. The Collector placed aimself on
record in his answers to "a series Of ques-
,iops The questions and the answers
were as follows:
Are you prepared TO accept nomina-
lion for Mayor this year,
yes"
"Haye you any objection 10 immediate
efforts to bring about your nomination.
NO. no objection
Would you under any circumstances,
accent a nomination for Mayor from Tam
many Hall?
NO. not under any circumstances.
The committee of Progressives, headed
nv Robert y. Lewis. leader OF the 18TH
Manhattan District, was appointed by
resolution adopted by the joint executive
committees Of the organizations in New
York County and the County of The
Bronx at a secret meeting on Wednes-
day night. Francis W. Bird, chairman
Of the New York committee. dominated
the situation. it was said. although five
out of the thirty-hve members present
were opposed 10 the Bird programme.
At the meeting William NJ Claiborne
treasurer Of the committee. who is also
member Of the fusion committee. Of
fered a resolution placing the Progress
sives on record as favoring fusion on the
city ticket and the Borough Presidents.
This was voted down by vote Of 80 to D.
Then Mr. Bird had his resolution Of
fered. which went on 70 say that the
Progressives would be glad 10 cooperate
with any body of independent citizens
who were willing TO nominate candidates
"in hearty and thorough sympathy with
the Progressive municipal platform and
who are Of assured liberal convictions.
II also said the Progressive party would
refuse 10 join in the nomination Of any
candidate subservient TO or affiliated with
IL
The resolution provided for the appoint
ment Of a committee 10 call upon Mr.
Mitchell and ask MIN the same questions
that were asked by Mr.. Polk Yesterday.
Nr. Bird acknowledged that he had
burned his bridges behind him and would
have TO oppose District Attorney Whit
man 10 the last. lie said the time had
come when the Progressiyes would have
10 dominate the situation or go down. and
he was prepared 10 stand out no matter
what it might cost. II the fusion com
mittee failed 10 accept Mitchell. he said.
the Progress!ves would have to 20 it a'cne
with him. no matter what Colonel Rose
welt or any one else might say.
Among the Independent Democrats and
Republicans who saw Collector Mitche.
yesterday We're John 6. Agar. harold
Deming William Z. G. Gaillard. Stuart G..
Gibboney, j. Borden Hartman. Walter
McCorkle. Borough President Miller Of
The Bronx and Egerton L. winthrop. jr.
former president Of the Board Of Educa-
ton
The McAreny General Committee, after
"a,
the membership soon would be increased
to one hundred. Paul Fuller was made
chairman, Alfred a. Cook vice-chair-
man for Manhattan; John Wynne, vice.
chairman for The Bronx and +. T. Hor-
viii, vlce-chairman for Brooklyn. Rich
ard Deeves was chosen treasurer and
Foster Ware secretary.
The Non-Partisan Municipal League in.
dorsed the candidacy Of Borough Presi-
cent McAneny al a meeting in the Uni
Versity Settlement House. on the East
Side. J. Philip Berg was placed at the
head Of special committee 10 call upon
the fusion committee
The Bronx Business and Professional
Mems League. Of which Thomas p. Pat
terson IS secretary, has come out for
District Attorney Whitman for Mayor
and Borough President Miller OF The
Bronx for President of the Board of Al
dermen.
William II. Chesebrough. chairman Of
the campaign committee Of the city
Economy League, told the fusion COM
mittee on candidates yesterday afternoon
the type Of candidates the league de-
sired TO have nominated-men mindful Of
the financial problems that confront the