Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-23
.TAMMANY F0RESEES
AUN|TED c. 0.P.
Political Writer Thinks Its
Leaders Also Expect Union
Among Democrats.
NEW YORK POST OFFICE
BIG FACTOR IN HARMONY
Patronage Problem Still Increases
Difficulties for Sweeping 1ndorse-
ment of President in New York.

! Special Dispatch to The Star.
/ NEW YORK, February 23.-Post office
! patronage would seem to have little
bearing on national issues and foreign
policies. But in order to get at the
democratic situation it is necessary to
take the local viewpoint. And in the
local viewpoint the postmaster of New
York looms up big. His selection may
not determine whether Tammany will
be merely regular or will be heartily
for President Wilson's reelection, yet
it enters into the calculation. The Man
haitian horizon is not broad one
I do not mean from this that the
Tanunany leaders are entirely indIf-
ferent to the issues of the coming
campaign. They sum it UP possibly
as acutely as people in Washington.
Their idea seems to be that peace and
prosperity or war and loyalty will
be the campaign catchwords. and that
either one should help their party
throughout the country.
Nor should it be supposed that the
local democratic leaders, outside OF
of the issues as presented by Mr.. Root.
Will Defend Presidents Policies.
A busy world may not have paused
to note that Dudley Field Malone. col
iector of the port was announced for
a reverberating trip through the west
to answer Root" Moreover. 1t is
given out that when the democratic
state convention meets a week hence
ex-Gov Martin H. Glynn will come to
the defense of the administrations
foreign policy and answer Root"
Democratic senator's, who have felt
that pretty heavy burden was on
themselves in answering Root may.
therefore, feel some relief to know
that their task is lightened.
During a stay of several days I have
been at some pains to find out what
Tammany really thinks about the pros
poets. The reply. in the first place. is
that Tammany thinks the democrats
publicans.
Tammany politicians are very good
judges of popular movements. They
seem to be pretty well agreed in the
the republicans is SO strong that no
self-seeking republican bosses and no
would be leaders among the pro-
gressives will be able to prevent it.
as something that moves in a mass
and that will not be baked by indi-
viduals.
Tammany also believes that there is
a good prospect for a united democracy,
and. as an earnest Of it's own feeling.
is ready to give the President sweeping
Endorsement at the state convention next
week. But the prospect is not yet merg-
Ing into certainty. And there is where
the post Office comes in and pushes for
eign policy into the background.
Tammany Calmness Disquieting.
The situation is a simple one. Post
master General Burleson, as the best
politician in the cabinet. decided that a
young man named Johnson. who came
out of the south and who was accept
able to the organization. was the man
for postmaster Mr.. Johnson had held
other political offices. having been grad
uated into them from newspaper His
prospective selection. however, brought
out many protests from what calls it.
self the better element
This meant not simply the better ele-
ment among regular democrats. but also
among Independent voters who have heen
supporting the wilson administration. At
times his nomination has been reported
as on the way to the Senate and at
other times as definitely eliminated. II
does not need much experience to real alize
tndI tne fOSlIldSeT General, IN
at least. was riht. Delay in making a
nomination has only increased the Presi-
dents difficulties.
Wary waiting is the attitude of Tam
many. I makes no threats, and So far
as ] have been able to discover, shows
no irritation. But its calmness is dis
quieting to the democrats who are al
ways anxious to know whether Tam
many is going to be simply regular, or
whether it will show a real interest in
the election OF democratic President
In the past there have been Ta,rmany
leaders who have maintained that if they
could not ney recognition fro a demo.
cratic national administration they were
ton This feeling receives SOM s,,n-
port at present when Tammany is com
ing back into its own. It's candidat tes for
local offices were elected last Noye,nher
Moreover, there are unmistakable signs
that New York city is dropping bac; In.
to its old way. and after one term of a
reform administration is likely TO revert
to Tammany, This is no reflection or,
Mayor Mitchell 1t merely represents a
Manhattan habit "