New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-05
MURPHY TO QUIT,
HIS FRIENDS hint
Boss to Turn Sceptre Over
to Triumvirate if He
Wins Primaries.
CROWN TO MAVOY.
FOLEY AND SMITH
Possible Rule of Three Toms
Recalls Three Johns in CrO-
ker'S "CzardOm."


Charles +. Murphy is seriously consider
ing retiring from politics in the fall II
was said yesterday that he had conhded
his views TO several Of Ills close friends in
the Tammany executive committee II he
should retire he would name Thomas +.
McAvoy. Thomas +. Foley and Thomas +.
Smith as triumlirate TO succeed MIN in
the leadership OF the Democratic organi-
zation. according to Il report in circula-
ton.
Mr.. McAvoy /. = former Deputy Police
Commissioner ard is leader OF the I'D
Assembly District Foley is leader or the
"a Assembly District. Both are politicians
Of tho old school
Mr.. Smith, on the other hand, is young
and progressive. As secretary OF Tam
many Hall, he has been in close touch
with the Organization. He fought for the
denomination OF Mayor Gaynor, while
Foley was largely responsible for the
nomination OF Edward +. Mccall. Smith
was the man who suggested that Judge
James A. O'Gorman he named a. q COM
promise candidate for the United States
Senate in the deadlock over William r.
Shcchan.
Mr.. Smith last night said he vas not IN
an! position TO talk about what was in
the mind OF Mr. Murphy. and that it was
long time before election.
There is ono thing that Murphy will
never 90. his friends say lie will never
retire under fire. His suggested retire
ment is predicated on the possibility that
he can defeat his enemies in a decisive
manner al the primaries this fall.
Although there were a number OF dis
trict leaders who promised 20 go into an
anti-Murphy fight in case it could get the
open support Of tho Wilson and Mitchell
administrations. those at the head OF the
movement have been unable to get such
support
II is possible that in order 20 show his
strength the boss" may decide to make
light against Ross Williams. leader Of
tho 18th District. who is an out-and-out
anti-Murphy man. II is suggested that
Matthew DupoLuc. former leader, might
he selected for the fight.
Friends of Murphy said last night he
had wanted TO retire for some time. Had
he won the municipal election. they say,
he would have got out then. Since then
there have been all sorts of movements
directed against his leadership.
one story is that Murphy. after showing
his control OF the organization by elect
ing his ticket at the primaries, would re-
tire. The other is that he has no inten-
ton Of getting out until after election.
II vas pointed out last night that II he
waited until after election he might lose
his chance to retire. because of the dan
ger that the Democratic ticket would he
defeated.
II Tom" Smith, Tom" Foley and
Tom" McAvoy should be designated To
rule TammaIty Hall. the rule OF the three
Toms would recall the time when Tam
many Hall was ruled by the three Johns
John i. Carroll, John Whalcu and John
". Keller-whcn Richard Croker made
his trips TO Europe in the administration
Of Mayor Van Wyck.
In January. 1902. after the defeat Of Ed
ward NJ. Shepard as The Mayorsity canoi
date. Croker decided TO abdicate. lie
placed Lewis Nixon In his place. Nixon
resigned i'm May, and a triumvirate was
selected. consisting OF Charles i. Murphy,
Daniel +. Mcmahon and Louis 4. hdffcn.
BY a process Of elimination Murphy soor
became ruler OF Temmany.
Justice Edward +. O'Dwycr. OF the City
Court said yesterday committee IF I'VE
would be appointed. IN accordance with
the decision OF the National Democratic
club on Monday night tc draw up suS-
ccsted amendments 10 the direct primary
law. He said he did rot expect any or
position or the part Of Tammany because
Tom" Smith had voted for the amend
uents at the meeting of the club.
IF Murphy retains control said Jus
tice O'Dvyer. Governor Glynn cannot
be elected. had hoped the Governor
would take more positive stand against
this leadership"
The committee headed by Bert Hansen
which is forming an anti Murphy commit
,oe OF 80. will meet to-day at the Reform
Cub. Two plans of action have been sus-
gcsted. one is TO make a fight all along
the line at the primaries. The other Is
10 let Murphy capture the primaries Out
fight his candidates in the campaign.