New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-21
WOODRUFF BOUT FACES
TOWARD Mr.. WHITMAN
Progressive Party Chairman OF
Kings Gets New Light on
MayoraIty Situation.
MAY HAVE SEEN COLONEL
Gladly Would He Support Dis
trict Attorney as Fusion Can
didate, and as for Mr..
Gaynor-Umph!

Timothy L. Woodruff, who Wednesday
said the sentiment of Progressives In
Kings County was Overwhelmingly
against District Attorney Whitman as the
fusion candidate for Mayor and that the
ProgresSives did not want any one afiil-
lated with the Republican party, yester-
day did as he has done many times be-
fore-changed his attitude He never in
tended TO give the impression that he
was against Whitman, he said and would
be glad TO support him if the fusion COM
mittee selected him as the anti-Tammany
candidate.
Francis w Bird chairman Of the FRO
gressive committee I'm New York County
who has been assuming all along that he
and he alone knew what the Progresslves
wanted. did not back water yesterday on
his opposition to Whitman. He said;
MIR. Woodrun's statement Of to-day
does not change the situation In any par
ticular / stand squarely upon my state
meut Of last Tuesday.
The expressions Of sentiment that
have since received from the rank and file
Of the Progressives strengthen my belief
that Progressive voters. at their primaries
in September. will not sanction the nomi
nation OF any man for Mayor or any
other high elective place who has been
closely affiliated with either Of the old
political machines. and that they will I'm
sist that the Progressive candidates for
election TO the Board Of Estimate will be
men OF recognized loyalty to Progressive
policies and proven capacity for handling
large administrative problems"
Speaking Of the deliberations OF the
fusion committee. Mr.. Woodruff said:
IF that committee in its wisdom and
after mature deliberation. and after hear
ing from all parties concerned should nom
mate Whitman. I would he only too glad
10 support him and 20 try 10 bring 10 his
support the Progressives Of Kings County.
do not want IL understood that ever
said 7 was against Whitman. The Pro-
aressives are not against Whitman. What
We did was 10 object 10 the apparent
forcing Of Whitman by the Republican
leaders.
Il don't want It understood that ] am
for Mayor Gaynor. / did not declare IN
favor Of anybody"
Mr. Woodruff would not say whether no
had talked with colonel Roosevelt or
where he got the light on the Whitman
situation. In order 10 make the Woodruff
conversion the more impressive. be hdd
Charles 5 Aronstam. Nce-chairman "t
the organization I'm Kings County give
out a similar statement saying BROOKLYN
Progressives would be willing 10 support
hitman II by so doing they we're not
placed in the position OF rnuckling TO the
Republicans
The Whitman boomers are as busy as
bees in honeysuckle time At tho h'aH-
quarters Of the Whitman leagues 10 the
NcAlpin Hotel. II was said yesterday that
five hundred signatures 10 the whitman
petitions had been obtained I'm two days.
These are entirely voluntary acts. as no
solicitors have been used.
The Whitman leagues, which are heins
managed by Henry Birrell Of the Repub-
lican club. got out the first Whitman
campaign button yesterday. II presents
an excellent likeness OF the District At
torney. with the inscription:
our choice for Mayor.