New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-18
mitchell TAKES CRACK
At "SMUC IDLE GROUP"
"McCaIps Cohorts" Have Lived
for Years on the Taxpayers,
He Tells The Bronx.
TALKS AT SIX MEETINGS
"Ludicrous to See Tiger, Lean
and Starving, After Four Hun
cry Years, Talking Econ
omy," Candidate Says.

OmV, CdnQludIc Suyo'
John Purroy Mitchell toured The Bronx
last night. He attended six meetings, and
was welcomed at each by large crowd
Mr.. Mitchell. whose voice has become
quite clear and well under control, told
his audiences that "McCalls cohorts
under the control Of Murphy, were "a
SNUG and idle group. that have lived for
years upon the taxpayers Of New YORK
City"
Mr. Mitchell in his touring car. first
dashed up to Wagner's Hall, Castle Hill
and Westchester avenues. the Bronx
The hall was crowded, and when the
candidate arrived all rose and cheered.
I'VE are here" he said, ITO fight
against the Murphy blight upon the city
and the exploitation OF Murphy and his
contractors. Just think what a ludicrQus
spectacle we have-the Tammany tiger
lean and hungry. after four years OF
starvation, econOmizlng! There was a
time when certain city officials used 70
issue contracts TO themselves, when
Ahearn used TO get horses and carts for
himself that were never used. He, used
also, To have inspectors of complaints
who were only seen in the paymaster'
office on the first OF the month. That Is
what intend TO do away with. Presi-
dent McAneny did all he could 10 dc
away with such men as those.
And here is what | want TO show you
there Is a comparison between the
economy Of Ahearn and Murphy and the
things that we have done. What we plan
to do is to simplify municipal methods
without reducing a single salary in any
department and without discharging a
single competent employe. We want 10
do away with Tammany red tape"
Mr.. Mitchell was then hustled into his
machine. in which he hurried TO the
meeting in Wakefield Casino 23sth street
and White Plains avenue. Here he was
greeted by flaring red lights In the street
and crowded meeting upstairs. The only
interruption Of his speech was when a
man asked Mr. Mitchell II he was in a po-
siton to verify all his statements Mr..
Mitchell replied:
Young man, ! am glad that YOU asked
that II there is any point Of my forth
coming speech that you wish verified |
pray that YOU viii question me-" The
young man asked no further questions.
Mr.. Mitchel's speech was much the same
as he had delivered at the first meeting
place. He added
There is one point want you people
10 understand. and that is this: We Of the
fusion ticket stand absolutely for the com
pletion 81 the Westchester avenue sub.
ways. have pledged myself TO the peo-
pie Of New York city 10 protect and de-
velop the subway contracts. and 10 fur
Their rN-m as far as possible within my
ability"
Mr.. Mitchell then raced over to Third
avenue. where he spoke in the London
Casino. near East I7lst street. to an au.
dlence OF n thousand persons. At that
meeting. speaking OF the subway con
tracts. he said
What activity has Mr.. McCalls COM
mission shown IN the matter OF the sub
way contracts They have given their
time. their thoughts and their ambitions
10 the modification OF those contracts.
Yes. they have done all Of that. They
have done that so as 10 allow the Inter
borough a - per cent bonus on the Stein
way system And you good people are
still awaiting your subway SYSTEM /
pledge you that. II elected Mayor. | shall
give you as good n system as IT shall oe
possible 10 give you
y,Ia tho NICK n
lev Square Casino. at l69th street and
Boston Road. In that meeting place, be-
fore a large gathering, Mr.. Mitchell said,
In part:
The issue IL merely this-whether you
will have Murphy government or gov
eminent Of the people. The Mayor or
New York City must be the Mayor OF all
tho poople. I feel as did the late Mayor
Gavnor-I shall not attempt to control
the habits OF all who 30 to make up that
great city. You shall not have a puritan
zeal administration. nor one that sha'i
attempt 10 restrain public liberty-as long
as II shall not interfere with the weitare
OF neighbors. =,
"Nr Murphy will no doubt give you all
q, That. but YOU will have TO pay for 1t
Al the meeting in the Both Aldermamc
District Mr.. Mitchell was introduced ny
Georpe ". Johnson In this way:
Here. gentlemen, is the political urea
NJ the wear. and Of many years to come
This Mr. Mitchell has been complimented
bv Mr. Murphy I'm an extraordinary man
nor vben that man said that Mr.. Mitchell
was an inexperienced man. say 'hahk
God he isl
Mr. Mitchell next attended meetings az
IN. Courtlandt Casino. No. 5S Courtland'
avenue. The Bronx. and the Hunts Poih'
palace at 163d street and Southern Bouie-
ward. Both meetings were well attehde''