New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-24
MAYOR KL|NE'S STATUS
WORRIES ALDERMEN
Watson Asked to Decide as to
Vacancy in Board and
Workmanship.
DOWNING RULES FOR DAY
With Tammany Aid Republican
Who Lost denomination
Becomes Temporary
Presiding officer.

The Board Of Aldermen decided yester-
day 10 treat the question OF Mayor
Khne's status as II 1t were a very. very
Rot chestnut Both sides caucused before
the meeting and then met to agree that
they would elect a presiding OFFICER pro
tem.-a privilege Of theirs about which
there is no dispute.
Consequently they elected TO preside at
the meeting Alderman Robert T. Down
ing, OF Brooklyn. Republican. Just De-
fore adiourning in the afternoon they
adopted a resolution, offered by Ralph
Folks fusion leader, requesting the Cor
poration Counsel to give the board his
opinion OF Mayor Kllnes status. and
whether there exists vacancy IN the
seat OF the alderman from the 5lst Di'-
trict, Brooklyn, and in the vice-chairman-
ship OF the board.
Incidentally. the election OF Alderman
Downing presented a clear indication OF
what the fusion majority may expect II
the board is called upon TO elect new
vice-charman on the ground that Coionei
Kline has left that office vacant in assum-
ing the duties Of Mayor. Downing is one
OF those Brooklyn Republicans IN the
board to whom the organization has re-
fused a denomination.
Hold Balance . Power
These men hold the balance OF power
and are suspected OF wish to put
Tammany man In tho Board OF Estimate
by voting for Tammanys candidate Tor
vlce-charman OF the board-a vice-chaiT-
man who will. II elected. also be acting
President OF the Board OF Aldermen. ana
as such entitled TO three votes IN inc
Board OF Estimate
Downing. notwithstanding his polltica!
affiliations, was Tammany's candidate for
ten porary presiding officer. He was noini-
mated by Alderman Bowling Ia'nii'aiS
leader Alderman Folks nominateo ~
Grant Esterbrook Republican. the vote
stood: Downing. 81: Esterbrook' "a fe'e
* an added reason why the fusion alder
men should Anger the situation with
gloves.
The fusionlsts fully expect Corporation
Counsel Watson TO uphold the opinion ne
has already expressed that kline mas 'e-
come Mayor mot acting Mayor ana 'h"'
he has left vacant his seat as alueEi''""
and the lce-chairmanshp OF the boaru
Of Aldermen. But they do not want tne
board 10 act upon this opinion at It's next
meeting and proceed TO the election Oh
new vice-chairman. for fear test IN the
courts might result in an opposite opinion
and that In electing new vlce-chairi'i""
they might be elecung new acu"s
Mayor, thus turning out Republican anu
r.pIaclrg him with Tammany!te
In other words. the fusionisis want
court review Of the question before the.
board takes any action. This might Do
had speedily BY the seeking OF an inluhc-
ton against the payment TO Colonel hln'
OF the Mayors salary.
CORPORATION Counsel Watson. ~
sponss 60 a request from Controller
d.rgast. sent the latter yesterday an upl,.,
ion Of the status Of Mayor kline latlt'S ~
With that Expressed by him w atsoh) 10
Mayor Kline himself September II; eA,
cept for a slight amplihcauon- mat Mn
mad become Mayor and had vacated MS
former Offices. lie appended 10 his opIH-
ior that OF T.. Delatield smith, IVI IneI
CORPORATION Counsel. who on september o.
IsIt had 10 decide a similar question