New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-10
Politicians See in p. S. Ap-
pointment Casting of
Hat Into Ring.
BID FOR BULL MOOSE
SUPPORT, is BELIEF
Governor Would Like to Tell Re-
publican Convention He Could
Unite Parties, Is Hinted.

Governor Whitman is now full
sesged candidate for the Republican
nomination for President next fall.
This was the construction which poll
ticians generally placed on his selection
OF Oscar S. Straus to become the head
of the Public Service Commission.
Il was known for some time that the
Governor cherished ambitions to lead
the Republicans Of the nation against
the Democratic :,arty next year. Except
for hints and vague rumors nothing
came from Albany to indicate that the
Governor had anything but ambition,
bat the selection Of Mr.. Straus is taken
TO mean that all doubt and wavering
have been cast aside. and that from
now on the Governors hat is in the
rirc.
Governor Whitman might just as
veil have made a public announcement
Of bis candidacy. so far as Republican
leaders arc concerned. The opinion is
practically unanimous that the one
single motive which prompted his Sc
lection OF the Onetime Bull Moose can
dljate for Governor was the giving of
lie and strength to his boomlet for
thc Rspublicea Presidential nomina-
u3a.
The obvious purpose of Mr.. Strauss
appointment, it was believed, was to
enable Governor Whitman TO go before
the Republican convention as a candl-
data who would also have the support
Of the Progressives.
That the. Republican leaders were
not alone in their Interpretation of (
Mr. Strauss selection can best be ,
Cleaned from statement made by .
Walter A. Johnson, chairman Of the T
Progressive State Committee, last 4
night
Event in Political History.
Nationally speaking" Mr.. Johnson !
said. "it is an event Of no small i'm
portsnce in the political history of the
year"
The selection Of Mr. Strsus by Gov
srnor Whitman came as big surprise /
70 the Republican leaders. 1t was more |
than a surprise, however, to Colonel :
William Hayward. who is just an ordi- /
nary member OF the Public Service /
Commission. It was q Shock to him, I
for Mr. Hayward had come back from .
Albany on Thursday night cocksure |
that he and not Mr.. Straus would figure .
IN to-day's announcement Of the Gov
srnor.
Mr. Hayward hadn't expected to be .
made permanent chairman Of the com /
mission right off; according TO close
friends. he expected to be designated
a TEMPORARY chairman and 20 receive I
an opportunity 70 show how well he
could handle the job. What happened /
N the interim no one knows except .
perhaps, the Governor; Colone! Hay
ward doesn't
Nr Strauss appointment 70 the
Public Service Commission won DC
tAe only apnointment 20 that impor-
;Gnt body for the purpose OF helping
the Governors Presidential asplra-
tons, according 10 political wiseacres.
]; became known yesterday that the .
Governor intended 20 name Bridge
Cenmi,sioner F. J. c. Kracke as the
tseeesor 20 Commissioner Cram when
the ls,ter's term expires on FeDru-
Hyl
Krseke to Run Brooklyn Boom
This gossip would not excite more
ilsn ordinary interest were IT not
coupled with the iews that Mr. hrache
Is % become the manager Of the Whlt-
rsl Presidential boom in Brooklyn.
Ny Kracke is an astute politician
ta9 highly cOmuetent Official 80 mat
from a business point Of view, his Sc
lection would prove acceptable. But u
% happens that many politicians be
heye that Colonel Hayward was also
sppointed 20 the Public Service Com-
mission for the same identical pur-
pose % furthering the Governors
Prudential aspirations.
should Governor Whitman carry OUT
what is said % be his purpose he would
tafn have three Of the five members OF
TIE Public Service Commission actively
f.2agsd .n % least supporting, II not
irlgely working for, bis nomination
D ihe Republican National Convention
ifl. fslI.
There uas some talk among Repub-
4esn leaders here yesterday tnat the
Jcfefnor might experience difficulty ~
ts1inng Mr. Strauss confirmation ~
ne Senate. This gossip did not as
i9me serious proportions, however.
George ". Perkins, Bull Moose lead
=, - receiving the credit for securing
1r Strauss appointment Just what
~. Perkins did % make II possible
vi never be known perhaps. lie did
1, rsyeTtheleas. and the Republican
irscers VI this city are gtill wondering
Nisrs they are a.
Job Hedges Suggested for Place.
ena'or Thompson, chairman Of the
fffiatige iavcstigating committee
~ aaked ~ comment on the appoint
nffi yesteTday. said that IL was nov
"A - GDTsrHor Whitman - name JOB
hf0ges - the successor 20 Commits
h,,eT Wood, sho-~ .e be removed.
a., ffrsDnaiiy" rala Senator JhOmpsOn,
preferred % zee Colonel Hayward
tsans1 ~ chairman, but the Public
sf~iee Commission should be a nom
gef1ssn BODY, 70 I suppose the Gov
",er knew What he was doing"
ne eenstDr wasn't sny TOO enthuri-