The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-27
POLITICAL STAGE IN NEW YORK IS SET FOR COMEDY DRAMA Campaign in New York Real Opening of 1916 Presi-
 dential Campaign PRESIDENT WILSON
 SAYS HANDS OFF" Will Stick to "Watchful Waiting" Pol icy on Advice of McCombs.
 Roosevelt Is Playing
 SkiIful Game
By c. F. STEWART

NeW fork, July lo.-tSpeclal.j-I He f-iii- pire state has set its stage for a political comedy-drama, which necessarily adds to the gayety and interest of politics. and also attracts and forces the attention of the nation.
 This is because usually campaigns in New York have their national effect and especially at times like the present when the results may have bearing upon the presidential struggle two years hence, As matter of fact, the New York strug- gle now getting under way is the real opening of the campaign of 1916.
 So far President Wilson has kept hands off. Evidently impressed with the suc- cess of a watchful waiting policy adopted toward Mexico, the President is inclined to try it out on New York politics. Nor as the matter stands, can he be blamed. This week the White House was assailed by the ambitious Boy Scouts' of New York5s democracy, John Purroy Mitchell and Dud- ley Field Malone, In a vain endeavor to persuade the executive to get into the scrap and fling something at Tammany."
 
 visit of Malone and Mitchell to the Presi- dent came National Chairman William F. McCombs Hands off was the advice of MT. McCombs and the President evil dently believes the advice of McCombs is good.
 Roosevelt Plays Skilful Game,
 Ex-President Roosevelt, it is conceded. is playing a skillful game in the New York free -for-all, He has no idea of get ting himself trimmed" if there is any trimming to be done, nor has he any idea Of permitting the success of progress sive-republican combination candidate, who has the national prominence to be- come factor that might obstruct the colones plans in 1916. Hence the colonel will advocate the candidacy of some man like Harvey D. Hinman, republican with progressive tendencies who, if he loses, no great harm is done, and if he wins, will ever be grateful to the colonel.
 Sulzer Popular
 Ind there is Sulzer-"same old Bill'- who rises phoenix-like from the ashes of a political past, which Murphy and others thought were buried for all time to come Sulzer is tremendously popular in certain sections of New York-both state and city. Sulzer is to be reckoned with, for 1t is certain that he will not only be candi- date in the primaries, but also a eand- date in the general elections. if he chooses, for any man can run under the New York law who can muster petition on the East Side just quickly as they can affix their signatures to the docu- ment
 What makes New York politics more of a mixed pickle or scrambled-eggs affair than ever before is the fact that the de- termining factor this year and for the first time in history the aspirants for the nominations must submit their claims to a primary. This is new freedom for the electorate of New York Heretofore two or three overbearing men in each party met in secret conclave and sent out their choice for the candidates, and they were ratified by the convention. These days are gone in New York, as they are gone all over the country and the good old times of Boss Platt and Odell are never to re- turn.'
 Senatorship Another Plum
 In addition to the governorship and the control of New York. which means big factor in control of the states delegations to the next national conventions. the sen atorship is another plum that is to be aneled for. Senator Roots successor is be named in November. This place is to be contested for hotly but as who the candidates will be is another question. .-.,liam Randolph Hearst, the man of mystery, is keeping in the background for The present, bi6ing his time, but he would like to be United States senator, and there has been hints at coalition between the forces of Hearst and Glynn, who is also laying low now, but who is certain to be in the scramble for the governorship.
 The one really interesting feature of New York politics. aside from the na- tional figures who are engaged in the game-Roosevelt, Hearst, Sulzer and oth- ers-is the fact that in the republican party. split as it is there will be an ef- fore to knock the political block off of the big boss, Barnes" who has here tofore. under the delegate and convention rule, bossed the republican organization in New York like slave driver On the democratic side the same dose is in store for Murphy. the high chief of Tammany. It Is to be a struggle of the new system against the old. The will of the "peepuf' against the domination of the machine bosses and no quarter Is to be shown.
 Roosevelt has for the time being el bowed SulZer completely out of it by ig- noring him as factor with the progress sives. Sulzer, however yelping the slogan of reform. is seeking, and moreover ob taining, support with progressives repub- Ncans and democrats. His cry of Down with the bosses. clean up Tammany," is rallying to his standard free thinkers of all classes and political affiliations.
 The Glynn-Hearst combination against the Boy Scouts" is what really threatens