Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-02
Politicians Here Are Watching
Experiment in BIPARTISAN
Municipal Government.
mitchell, NOW ONLY 81,
is YOUNGEST MAYOR YET
Administration Must Fight Stolid
Sentiment Hostile to Reform.
Sketches of Officials Careers.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

BY N. o. MESSENGER.
Politicians in Washington are Watching
with deep interest the inception of New
York city's experiment in Bipartisan mu-
nicipal government. Rather might it be
called four-sided, for it includes demo-
Gratis. republicans, bull moosers and mug
wumps. There also is one woman. for
the first time in New York history, at the
head of one of the city's departments
Laymen, too, as well as professional
politicians are looking on with curiosity,
for anything of vital concern to New
York Is of interest in Washington. There
is something about 'the big town. that
makes Washingtonians feel neighborly.
Most of EN- like to read about it, any
how
The effort now in the making to shake
OFF the close-corporation rule of political
organization. exemplified in Tammany
domination for generations with an occa-
sional republican bareback, always in
effectual. and supplant it with a govern
ment for the benefit of the community
rather than the profit of the Individual
might well be classed as an experiment
in any city.
Must Fight Hostile Sentiment.
The peculiar conditions in New York
add an element of extra hazard to the
undertaking. Full of high resolve, en-
thusiasm and youthful energy, the new
administration swings into its gait with
the beginning of the new year. 1t finds
entrenched a stolid sentiment hostile to
reform pervadlng a large section Of the
political community, sharing ingrained
traditions declared by reformers to be
sordid, yet which have actuated a por-
ton OF the electorate for years.
An interesting element in the titanic
struggle between these forces now COM
mencing Is the fact that a number Of
the new city rulers are not New Workers.
They are uftlanders who have been at
tracted to New York and have made
good So there is presented the spec
tacle OF New York having to submit to
cleanup in part by outsiders. When
that realization seeps into the intel
lect of the fat-necked, double-chinned
aforesaid intrenched ones It will not
add to their equanimity.
However. It VIII be q fine battle for
the outside world to watch. The cyni-
cal will look on skeptieally, the reformers
will pray while they watch and the
rank and file will at least be enter
tained.
The Man, Not Party, to Count.
Something about the. personality of
these new rulers Of the greatest munic-
ipality of the western world will be
timely, especially as the new govern
ment Is to be one of personal character
and not political pull. That is the crux
of the whole plan; It is to be the man
who counts.
John Purroy Mitchell, the mayor, is
well known by this time. He is the one
simon-pure New Yorker in the galaxy
born and bred in the town and close to
the people. To the student Of physiog-
nomy his face shows the reformer In
every lineament. But he has proved
himself to be a practical man and not
dreamer. nor is he unskilled as a poll
trick or two last fall in that line, which
may be regarded as an achievement.
The ultimate test of his ability, it Is said,
Will be the demonstration OF his judg-
ment In the selection of men to assist
him. He cannot do the job alone.
He is the youngest mayor who ever
filled the post In New York city, just
thirty-four. He has had four years
training in municipal government under
the late Mayor Gaynor. He has the sup
port. as far as it can be given. of the
national. administration at Washington
and the ardent Endorsement of civic as
sociations throughout the country. Tam
many Hall will make the supreme effort
him.
Brure Is Missourian.
Henry Bruere, the city chamberlain, is
a Missourian. thirty-two years of age
He is sociologist, a college graduate
and for two years was engaged in social
work in Boston. He was secretary of
the bureau Of city betterment in New
In Nd
the bureau Of municipal research.
He is the suggestor Of the plan of city
government with which DAYTON Ohio ia
now expertmenting-the employment of
general manager, instead Of election
Of q mayor, to run the city as the head
Of q great business would be conducted
He has been active in a number Of police
and other municipal Investigations in New
York.
Robert Adamson, fire commissioner
that Is. head Of the magnificent system OF
protection against fre-is another "out-
sider." and he. too, Is a young man. He
was formerly newspaper man. hailing
from Atlanta, and was Mayor GaynOr's
secretary. He conducted the campaign OF
the successful fusion candidates in the
last election. He is man of proved
ability and high character. with progress
siye ideals and a reformer all through.
He Is democrat.
Studied Sociology as q Tramp.
John 4. Kingsbury. commission Of
charities. is a progressive and a sociolo-
gist He studied sociology as a tramp
traversed the country on the brake beams
and tested practically the systems of
charities and corrections in other cities
He has lately been general agent Of the
New York Association for Improving the
Condition Of the Poor.
John T. Featherson, commissioner of
street cleaning. thirtyni years old, is q
civil engineer, has had practical expe-
rience in the street cleaning department
and has been twice abroad to study for
eign systems.
Henry Moskowitz. president OF the civil
service commission. has been the head Of
a settlement house in Madison street and
a student of social and economic SUBJ
iects He is bull mooser and ardent fol-
lower of Col. Roosevelt.
Lawson Purdy. president of the tax
board is an, expert on taxes and assess
ments He was secretary for ten years
~ fha New York Tax RefOrfnerss AScn.