The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-13
ALDERMEN CENTRE
OF POLITICAL FIGHT
FusiOnists Seek to Retain Con-
troll to Aid Mitchell Ad-
ministratiOn.
BEST PRIZE OF CAMPAIGN

Although the general political cam
paign in this city has not been exciting
thus far a survey by districts reveals
the Democratic and Republican parties
fighting hard to win a prize of great
strategic importance-control OF the
next Board Of Aldermen. To this con-
test the district leaders are subordinat-
ing the Constitution, suffrage,
District Attorneyship and all the other
points OF conflict.
Fusion now controls the board by
eleven votes. there being 45 fusionists to
"a Democrats, counting President Nc
| Aneny and the Ave Borough Presidents
counting Mr.. McAneny n the Borough
Presidents fusion has IL Aldermen and
the Democrats 80.
The Democrats are eager to regain
next year their old time dominance, and
the Republicans and Progressives have
majority. A few weeks q the fusion
leaders said privately that their chances
were well nigh hopeless, but headquar-
tiers reports of the last few days are
more encouraging.
The Mitchell administration, with two
years to go. Is anxious to see a sympa-
thetic Board of Aldermen reelected.
With veto power over the budget and
power OF Initiative in the matter of
special stock issues the Aldermen, IL
they choose to ppose the Board of Esti-
mate can play havoc with the admins
tration plans.
Even more important. from the stand
point OF the politicians, Is the fact that
the Board OF Aldermen next year will
have the job of reapportioning this city's
representation in the Assembly. This
will be dom whether the revised State
Constitution is adopted or not. II the
Constitution goes through the Aldermen
of each borough will do the redistrictins
for their borough. and President Nc
Aneny and the Borough Presidents will
have no votes. II the Constitution is
beaten the whole Board of Aldermen,
including Mr.. McAneny n the Borough
Presidents. will redistrict the city. For
these reasons the Republicans and DEM
ocrats of every district are concentrate
ing their campaign efforts on the Alder
manic struggle.
As TO the District Attorneyshih the
Perkins managers said yesterday that
not a single Republican district leader
! iuNoNtlIIe tiit ~ VI shpSSi
Collin II. Woodward, leader in the
Twenty-third Assembly district, which
Mr. Moss carried in the Republican pri-
mary, announced several days ago that
he would work for Mr.. Perkins. Her
man w. Boyer. the new leader in the
Eleventh district. who carried 1t for Mr.
Moss. has also Joined the Perkins forces
According to the Perkins c~ampaigners
he has instructed his district captains
TO work night and day for the election
OF the present District Attorney
Among the well known Perkins SUI
porters listed yesterday are William u
Guthrie. Elihu Root, Jr.. Edward T. De
yine. Joseph II. Choate. George +. Can
field, Newboid Morris and Herbert Par
sons.
The American Party opened head
quarters at the Broadway Central Hote
yesterday. with Bella Tokaji. a faithful
Sulzerite. as chairman of the campaign
committee. Mr.. Tokaji said that Mr.
Moss would speak at mass meetings
Mr.. Sulzer. John A. Hennessy, Col. Alex,
ander S. Bacon and others are to speal
In Brooklyn.