The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-25

The Thompson Legislative inQuirers
got a visionary glimpse Of the late Mayor
Gaynor as his W secretary lunatico'
neutrality-suspicious. back TO the testimony
of Mirabeau l.. Towns-when Frank
Moss. counsel to the committee. read into
the record correspondence which passed
between Mr.. Gaynor and William r.
Clark. formerly secretary Of Gov. Suffers
committee of inquiry. who in 1912 tried
to interest the Mayor In a political pub
licity campaign with Gaynor's Presiden-
tial bee In mind. The correspondence
had virtually nothing to do with the
subway matters before the Thompson
committee except that reference was
made In some of the letters to President
Shcnts Of the marlborough and to the
late Andrew Freedman az a sincere
friend" of the Mayor.
The letters which Mr.. Moss read we're
some of those which the committees in
vestiGators obtained in their search OF
the Gaynor files In the city Hall cellar a
few days ago. President Shonts, who
was on the stand when they were read.
said he did not recall Mr.. Ciark's activi.
ties In the matters mentioned. MIR.
Clark. BY the way. has nursed various
political booms over n period OF u quar-
ter Of a century. During the Sulzer ad-
ministration he was referred to as Secre-
tary to the Governors housekeeping
commission" lie also figured in the in
CURRY into the escape Of Harry X. Thaw
from Matteawan.
The correspondence between him and
the Mayor follows:
This letter was written on the sta.
tionery Of "Cosmographic."
March 1. 1912.
MY DEAR MR. MAYOR:
NO one holding n city position should
be mixed Wy III national politics. They
are hound to do something to hurt your
Presidential prospects. The Gerard in
ctdent illustrates their lack OF tact. To
usc no harder term. This is "a big game,
and II can't be- successfully played by
small men. You should instruct Adam
son. Watson and the other gentlemen
who have been collecting funds 10 quit.
Hearst has a report Of every move they
Rave made. They mean well. 40 doubt
but they are only making I, NOR. diff
cult for your real friends TO do the work
In the South n West tina. will be nee
essary 10 give you the proper standing in
the national convention"
The Mayor replied as follows:
March =, 1912.
DEAR Mn. CLARK 7 him YOU are
entirely mistaken IN saying that Mr..
Adamson. Mr Watson or any one around
me {. collecting money. ] rauuoi cr.di,
II A. for tha .Irte~f fn4tI.,s .rn.,
tina, YOU do not believe tina, I sa, down
10 lunch with him and asked him for
money. ! never sat down with him IN
my life. nor tavc ! any intimacy with
wfatever. ! fear you are rather
credulous In this instance. II necessary
7 hail issue a statement that no one
- authorized TO collec. any money In
my behalf
Mr.. Clark wrote Mayor Gaynor again
OF May ~ a. follows
Mr. DEAR Ms. MAYOR: A brisk news
paper campaign would I'm sure hasten
along the subway negotiations. DID
this work before and 7 am sure II you
would say the word to Mr.. Shonts for mo
another campaign would he insugura'ed.
The only way 10 get the New York pub
lie 70 understand anything is TO keep
hammering away in the newspapers on
the right lines, All your newspaper
friends would be- hen"fted. and | know
hat It would he very pleasing TO your
friend &. J.. NJ"
To this the Mayor wrote:
May 10. 1912.
DEAR Mr.. CHARM: should think the
marlborough would he glad TO have you
exploit the subway business. Of course
7 have nc funds for tho purpose. Nut
think the whole thinG now IL about
settled"
The next letter was this
MAY 20. 1912.
MY DEAR Mr.. MAYOR:
II nave suggested Ia Mr.. Snon,. thai
II he wanted 10 know anything about my
newspaper or political ability he Nigh:
inquire personally Of you. This IL tho
time for u quick. decisive. new spapsr
cafnpaiGn-not Of the yat",t medicine
plate variety, hut one putting you in
touch with every political writer in the
country. This Is what I can do through
my bureau"
Apparently the Mayor mad" no reply