The Washington times., 1913-05-09
mitchell MAY RISE
TO NEW YORK BOSS
Wilson's Candidate for Port
Collector Is Backed For
/ Leadership of State.

President wilson's choice for leader
Of the New York State Democracy is
John Purroy Mitchell. named by him to
be collector Of the port OF New York.
The President has finally made up his
mind regarding his course in connection
with che New York appointments.
Endorsement by the present leaders of
Tammany Hall will be sufficient cause
for rejection Of applicants for position,
but there will be no fight against the
rank and file of Tammany. The Presi-
dent believes that Mitchell, as collector,
and possibly later on as mayor of New
York city, will be able TO lead move
ment that will send into retirement
Boss Murphy and all of his heutenants
in the Tammany organization.
He has made II very cellar to friends
who have called on him to discuss the
situation that he is a believer in or
ganization, and that he thinks the Tam
many system. IL controlled by patriotic
men whose motives are above suspicion.
an excellent one. But he has positively
refused to make any public statement
regarding his position.
He intimated that he preferred that
his actions on appointments should
speak for him.
The President has also positively re-
fused to take any public position on
Governor Sulzer's fight with Murphy
and his recall to work of the State leg
islature to pass direct primary bill.
He has told his friends that while
should interfere in New Jersey, his
belief in the principles Of home rule
precluded his taking any part in the
New York State fight personally.
But he has also suggested that his
messages and public utterances while
~ olx ~,
rule Of the people and especially direct
primaries. show where he stands on this
subject.
1t II confidently expected here, not
only by the President but also by anti
Tammany leaders, chief of whom is AS
d. Roosevelt. that Mitchell win ally
himself on the side of Governor Sulzer
In the latter's present fight against Tam
many. Mitchell fayors direct primaries.
and II he joins hands with Sulzer the
fight for the overthrow of Murphy will
Immediately become real one.
The one obstacle may be the Sulzer
ambition to run things himself. Sulzer
has proclaimed himself leader of the
State Democracy. and has insisted that
his will must be law. He will not have
the support of the national Administra-
ton in backing up this claim. The
President likes Sulzer but he does not
believe that he measures up to the
the real Democrats of the State, while
he docs believe that Mitchell possesses
these qualities. If Sulzer will work
with Mitchell then II is believed certain
here in Administration circles the over
throw of Murphy rule will be possible
before The city convention meets in the
fall.
Mitchell will qualify the first OF next
month. He Is expected to Immediately
surround himself with young energetic
Democrats, and make the port of New
York the model of the country SO far
as efficiency goes The President. II il
understood, really believes that Mitchell
will eventually be the Democratic cam
didate for-mayor,. aisolutely independ<
ent of Murphy, and that he can be
elected on his past record, even thonEh
District Attorney Whitman is the fusion
candidate.
And, as mayor of the biggest city in
the country, he would be the titular
head Of his party in the State.