New-York tribune., 1913-06-18
WHITMAN IS MAIN ISSUE
Al FUSION CONFERENCE
peuubIicans IndorSe Him for
NJ WayOr, but Some Progress
sives Talk Of Democrat.
8HEAK AWAY FROM BIRD
tucien Bonheur and Moose
contingent Hold Meeting
and Decide to Repudiate
Chairman's Stand.

Ena1rUldu - SbobliN'
-. committee on candidates OF the
N. committee conferred yesterday
fu,''' .o,resertstiveS of the Republican
VIZ progressive ORGANIZATIONS OF New
, sn1 and Kings counties. They will meet
-, ssentatiyes Of those organizations
@ , The Bronx. Queens and Richmond
today. ,.-,- .,,,
that District Attorney Whitman
..d he the strongest candidate for
- NOT because he was a member Of
.l.,. organization. but because a careful
,.,ss n, the situation had imbued them
-,,. the idea that he was the choice Of
~. rank and file Of the citizens.
The Prosressives did not oppose Whit
.a nv name. but said their organization
,,5 %, look kindly on taking any MEM
of the Republican party. They wanted
,,dspendent Democrat Francis W.
n,.s chairman of the New York county
..,D,ittee intimated that the Progrcs-
.,,..s might 60 It alone. although no one
t.peves they are prepared to do SO.
Far some reason or other the Progress
-....s socn 10 he talking about the avail
,sni,v Of Mayor Gaynor 1t was said. This
..,s however. is not taken seriously by
,ss Fusion committee.
Birds Position Challenged.
,,cien Bonheur, one Of the original
proyressives. was so angry over the
,.,,er,ert of Mr.. Bird that he gathered
,rr,hor Of members Of the party at the
vrickerbocker Hotel last night. They de-
c5sd 10 tel the fusion committee that
vr Bird did not represent the rank and
sls Of the party and that they were for
Whitman.
# IS certain If the Progressive desig-
hating committee names any other than
whitman the name Of the District Attor-
nov will be placed on their primary bal
ot by petition
THE statement issued by Mr.. Bird does
MT change the situation any" said S. 5.
Koonir. president of the New York
County Republican Committee. He un-
soubtedly expresses his own views. as
hs has a right assume the attitude Of
fne FlQ-I IE~S.Nt pal - " AAA AN NNNN4 ''''''--
ly the enrolled voters IN their primary.
Both the Bird PrOgressives and the
Whitman Progress!yes are claiming
Colonel Roosevelt is on their side. After
reading the Bird statement carefully the
colonel at his Office here Yesterday sad
II haven't a thing 70 say at this time.
When Mr.. kOenlg and the othef rep
resentativeS Of the New York County ke-
rtAf pf conference
ast night ECenS said
I'VE told the fusion committee that We
are in favor Of the nomination OF MI.
Whitman not because he rs republican
bui because a careful investigation OF me
sentiment OF the average CITIZENS IN tne
various districts has shown him 20 he the
strongest man We also spent some time
n discussing platforms. bit no concll-
SONS we're reached.
Woodruff Accuses Bosses
Timothy L. Woodruff. representing the
Kings County Progress.ves. said.
II Is a serious question 20 my mind
whether any Republican would be looked
gpon by the rank and tilo OF the citizen
ship as INDEPENDENT enough 10 be salts
factory 20 those who want no machine
rartsanship 10 be manifested on their
HNN't a. Nlt NtiiiNll- lil"lllNl pa Nt'hN'H''
The Progrcssives. who cast such
lastly greater vote than the Republicans
In this city az the last election naturally
resent almost TO a man the efforts or
machine Republicans 10 thrust upon them
a. candidate. lust as they did the action
d the Republican bosses ia the Repubn-
can convention al Chicago. The same
crowd Is forcing the selection Of District
tina N ffaFs . Cfs =
ne selection of Mr. Taft for President
AT this afternoons conference We dis
cussed the merits of Messrs. Mitchell,
snd William Loeb. jr. As regards Mayor
Gaynors candidacy for reelection.
should say Il would be strong on Pro-
Efessive or Fusion ticket and very weak
On Tammany ticket
Bird on Moose Attitude.
Mr Bird put the attitude of the Pro-
sressives as this:
no man actively identified with any
political machine or distinotively OF the
politician type will be recommended for
animation in the Progressive primaries.
We shall not nominate a ticket which
,spresents mere negative opposition 70
ne ucket nominated by Tammany Hail.
We are against Barnes. Gruber, Koenig.
Iefsons OF Kracke candidates just az
nleh as against Murphy. McCooey or
.ohalan candidates. Only real progress
ives should be put on guard no matter
Wat their party
me Progressive party will not In my
VNhlon seek 10 bring about the nOm-
,l@uon Of Progressive for Mayor. This
normally Democratic city. ours is the
,asHofity party. the voting strength OF
M. Is republican party IS still less. Under
| ~ the circumstances. the nomination or
pogressiye Democrat for Mayor would
ua things being equal seem 70 be the
psit Of political wisdom"
SoSeph N. Price, chairman Of the Fusion
,,.llttee on candidates, said the com
1see would be glad 20 arrange confer.
eeS Win and obtain the cooperation OF
ano all Independent organizations
pnYIs 70 bring about the election OF
sHo of Estimate which would be free
~ NE control Of any Party TO manage
NY business on the basis Of EN-
-