New-York tribune., 1913-07-20
Whitman, However, Is Near and
Mitchell Is Gaining-Gaynor's
Backers, Fearing Tammany,
at Work on Independents.

may run independently or on some otner
ticket. thus preventing perfect fusion
However. those who have had expert
euce I'm fusion i'm past years recognize
that such a period OF darkness is ineVita-
bile There is always a time when I
looks as though the movement is going
on the rocks. They say that the coihihs
week ought 10 straighten out some OF thP
tangles and bring some OF the boosters
around TO more sane view OK the eH'i'e
situation There is no hope tnat the coIH-
mittee will be able 10 make It's cholce loi
Mayor and other members OF the boaFd
Of Estimate this week, but the committee
on candidates may be able 10 give the eA-
ecutive committee some sort Of an Idea
as TO It's conclusions, based upon the
sentiment so far as il has interpreted It,
Such a report would be conhdental ana
the conclusions would be subject to re-
vision.
Chances in Fusion Sentiment.
The DEVELOPMENTS Of last week were the
launching Of the boom for Collector Johh
Purroy Mitchell. with his public acqules-
cence and the enlargement OF the lilue-
pendent movement for the denomination
of Mayor Gaynor, who has not as yet an
nounced himself as an active candlddte
for denomination. It is expected that ne
will come out in the open before ne goes
on his vacation in the Adirondacks ABOUT
the first of the month.
Although there has been no attempt 10
get stralght-cut lineup Of the fusion
committee on any OF the candidates
members who have attended most OF the
meetings have a general idea OF the senu-
ment. This sentiment, It may be saId'
has shifted considerably since the COM
mittee was organized, which TACT us
members say, shows clearly that tne
committee was not packed for any candl-
date. as some have maintained
Discussing the situation as ii exists to-
day. one of the members of the committee
said yesterday.
Il think that II a vote were taken
among the members OF the committee Oh
candidates II woula show a slight ma
iority in favor OF Borough President Nc
Aneny. When Il comes 10 the executive
committee. To which the committee on
candidates must report directly, | shouId
say il was pretty even thing between
McAneny and District Attorney WHIT
man. with John Purroy Mitchell gaming
strength As for the general committee
which has the hnal say on the selection
of the fusion ticket. think that Nhit-
man leads. with McAneny second ana
Mitchell third.
There are not a few members on the
committee who feel that II Mayor Gaynor
y ouli come out and declare that he would
not take a nomination from Tammany
would be happy solution OF the dl'h-
culties 10 renominate him. In that case
the idea would be to renom!nate the en-
tire fusion ticket in so far as 1t would
be possible.
"Of course. the attitude Of the mem
bors OF the committee. as il seems 70
he now. will probably change before any
anal decision is reached. Many OF the
members Of the committee acknowledge
that they are unable to say at this time
whom they are likely to vote for when
the time comes
Mayor Seeks Reinforcements.
II is not considered likely that Mayor
Gaynor would under any circumstances
pledcc himself not 20 take a Tammany
nomination. While. of course. he would
like to get the support Of as many differ
cut organizations as possible. he is prac-
tlcalIy sure i'm his own mind Of the Tam
many nomination. However Tanmany
might throw him over at the last minute
and FOR that reason his friends are making
every effort TO create independent sentl-
ment for him. To make II appear that
there is an overwhelming demand for hls
denomination This week an effort vii.
10 made 10 play up whatever sentiment
there may be- Tor him among individual
members Of the fusion committee.
Francis W Bird. the young leader Of
the Progressivcs In New York County, who
has declared his opposition 10 Whitman
because the latter Is a Republican, and
has told his leaders that the Progressive
party must go il alone unless the fusion
committee is willing 10 take Mitchell, his
candidate has cooled down a little. lie
has talked 10 some OF the prominent
members OF the party since he forced ms
leaders to take the Mitchell action on
Wednesday night. lie fas told them he
regards this election simply as an Incl
dent In the building up Of the National
Progressive party and the ighting for
liberal principles I'm the nation. lie has
been told that such an attitude was re-
dictionary. as the principle OF divorcing
national issues from municipal politics had
been too well established TO be dropped
at the present time II was said last
night that Mr.. Bird was not so Keen on
running a separate Progressive ticket as
he was three days ago.
The Citizens Municipal Committee yes
terday made public figures showing how
the fusion administration had made great
progress In the work Of all the health
agencies. and had succe sded In cutting
down the death rate materially The
death rate for babies was reduced from
1874 a thousand I'm 1910 TO l20 thousand
I'm 1911. This means that the lives OF 3
l1S2 babies we're saved
Lucien Bonheur, the Progressive leader, |
yho is working for District Istorney
Whitman. has suggested that the Progress
sives have an official primary TO deter
mine whether majority wish Whitman
or Mitchell nominated IL will be impos-
sible 10 designate an independent candi- |
date by petition because Of the small en- |
..t,..or, of tho proprpSSiVes