Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-24
LsnecIal to the Newark sfnr.I

Especial to the Newark start
JERSEY CITY. N. j., July "a
Former Mayor H. Otto Wittpenn was
in conference at his headquarters in
this city for two hours yesterday
afternoon with National Committee
man Robert S. Hudspeth and State
Committee Chairman Edward Gross
cup. Others of the Wittpenn leaders
were at the headquarters, but did not
take part in the conference.
What transpired was not made
public. as the former Mayor wants
to consult with other friends before
he makes up his mind what action
to take in the Gubernatorial matter.
1t is known that he was advised by
both Hudspeth and Grosscup to give
up the fight; that his chances for the
nomination were growing weaker each
day. and that under no circumstances
could he hope to defeat either Gov
ernor Fielder or Frank Katzenbach
President Wilson's refusal to take
sides for Wittpenn in the contest was
dwet upon and Hudspeth and Gross
cup pointed out that without support
from Washington it would be in1pos
sble to keep the Wittpenn boom alive
until the primaries in September.
Chairman Grosscup, it is said,
stood ready to stay with Wittpenn
in the fight to the finish. but told
him that it was doubtful no matter
how much work was done on his be-
half If he could carry I. single South
Jersey County.
According to the State chairman
the situa ton had changed consid-
erably since the former Mayors de-
feat at the commission government
election.
With bowed head the former Mayor
listened to the death sentence that
was being pronounced on his Cub
ernatorial boom and when he spoke
there was a tremor in his voice. lie
realized that he had reached the end
of his rope in a political way. While
he admitted that he was practically
out of the race he hesitated about
making the fact known. He had set
his heart on the Gubernatorial chair
and he hated to abandon the fight.
Friends Desert in Squads.
Still what else was there for him
to do? His friends were deserving
him not singly but in groups, and If
he We're to go to the primaries II
would mean defeat and humiliation.
Both Hudspeth and Grosscup eX-
pressed regret at the former Mayors
political downfall and they were glad
when the conference was over
While no date was set it is probable
that the Wttpenn withdrawal from
the race will be announced before
the end of the week.
The local Wittpenn followers were
cast down by the news. They could
hardly realize that he was about to
quit the race, for they had been led
To believe that the Wittpenn candi-
dacy was as strong as the Rock of
Gibraltar. Blame for the collapse
was put on the shoulders of Presi-
dent Wilson and not a few of them
declared that it was fortunate for the
President that his term of Office Is
four years.
Mayor Matthew Cronin, of Ba
yonne, one of the former Mayors
advisers, was one of many of the
Wittpenn leaders who insisted that
he should make the fight irrespective
of the wishes or attitude of Presi-
dent Wilson. Cronn issued a state
ment declaring, among other things,
that it was Wittpenn whos made the
Presidents nomination and election
possible. He criticised President
Wilson. charging that he does not
stand by his friends. EXtoling the
virtues of the former Mayor. Cronin
declared him to be the most con-
sistent Progressive in the party. He
said Wittpenn was "A Progressive be-
fore Wilson had been heard of in poll
tics.
Cronin Wilson Help.
without Wittpenn and his friends"
said Cronin in conclusion. Wilson
would not now be President"
Whoever gets the nomination after
Wittpenn has retired will have the
fight of his life to be elected. Cronin
will not help him. The candidate will
have to shift for himself Cronin
said so.
A Wilson Democrat who has been
for Governor Fielder from the start
said that Wilson Democrats would
resent the attacks made upon him by
Wittpenn's friends.
"It is true" said this man, that
Wittpenn aided President Wilson'S
nomination. He didn't do so because
of choice. Political expediency
prompted him to give the President
his support. Had Wittpenn been
against Wilson the latter would have
been nominated just the same. Witt
hang on to the Presidents coat-tails.
rrhis Was the only thinw that kent