New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-18
Candidate Announced He
Would Win on That
Issue, Senator Asserts
Root Comes Out
For Mayor Mitchell
Republican Party Is Not
Obligated to Get Behind
Bennett, He Declares

TIE Fusion cause and Mayor Mltche
cs.bercd added strength yesterda
through several important develop
ments. in the opinion Of the Mitcho
csmpaign managers. These develop
ments were:
State Senator Albert F. Ottin-
rer nailed the Hylsn campaign de-
NAL that he had been opposed TO
the selective draft by relating
conversation with Judge Hylan at
Saratoga in which the Tsmmany
candidate declared, according to
Mr. Ottinger. that he expected TO
heat Mayor Mitchell on the issue
o. his opposition to the draft.
Ex-senator Elihu Root, In let
ter made public by James r. Shelf
field. former president of the Re
publican Club, declared that no
consideration Of party loyalty or
GOOD faith created any obligation
TO Republicans to vote for William
NJ. Bennett, the primary nominee.
a. the coming election, and urged
the reelection Of Mayor Mitchell.
J. G. Phelps Stokes, an ardent
Socialist until the beginning Of
the war. announced that he would
suuport Mayor Mitchell and could
not vote for Morris Hillquit, the
Socialist candidate, because of his
"pro-Germsn activities"
Mayor Mitcheps analysis of the
disclosures so far made Of Judge
Hylan's past. purporting TO con-
meet the Tammsny candidate with
at least indirect professional rela-
tons with Alfred r. Goslin, Jail
bird and international swindler.
seemed to be taking effect.
Saws Hylan Opposed Draft
At the regular September meeting OF
the Republican County Committee, il
Bryant Hall, Senator Ottinger. in the
course Of a speech, declared that Judge
HyAn was against the selective draft
A day or two later Judge Hylan made
denial. in a statement issued from
Democratic campaign headquarters, ant
declared that he had signed petition
sent 10 Congress urging tho passage o
the draft law.
Senator Ottinger was seen at hi
Office. l65 Broadway. yesterday ant
asked how he came TO know that Judg
Hylsn was against the selective draft
III came about in this way" SAT-
Senator 0ttinger. 81 met Judge Hylai
for the Arst time at Saratoga in tn
United States Hotel the day after n
was designated as a mayoralty candi
date After few pleasantries | toll
the judge that | thought he had
chance Of being elected, and he replied
Yes. III be elected. I'll beat Mitche
on this selective draft proposition.
attended a meeting at which Mitche
spoke for the selective draft and h
didn't get a hand The selective draf
IS not popular with the people. an
that is why am going to be elected
was going 20 support William NJ. Ben
nett, the regular Republican nominee
and not Mayor Mitchell. Senator Ottin
ger introduced the resolution indorsln
Bennett At the last meeting of the Re
publican County Committee, which wa
overwhelmingly defeated.
Mayor Accepts Issue
Commenting on the Ottinger state
rent. Mayor Mitchell said:
Il am not surprised, in view of Nj
Hylan's hackers and connections, ths
he is opposed 10 anything 10 make An
erica stronger in this war with Gel
many. We now have Mr.. Hylan's direC
testimony, added to everything ] hav
pointed out. that there is an issue !
this campaign of national characte
touching Americanism. Mr.. Hylan, ~
eording TO Senator Ottinger. expects
win because he is opposed TO the selet
tive draft and because l am In favor {
it. accept the issue. II the peopl
ike Mr.. Hylan, are opposed to Amer
can preparedness, suppose they WI
vote for him."
The Mayor was told that Senator o
finger declared he was for Mr. Bennett
We'll" said the Mayor. 81 suppo'
Mr.. Bennett has got TO get few votes
In bis letter TO Mr.. Sheffield, ex-Seni
tor Root quoted the state constitution
adopted in 1894, to show that the R'
publicans, who were in a large maJol
ity at the convention which framed tn
constitution, had specifically separate
m srrr,. Il IL q
Iional elections for the express purpos
Of making the members Of the politics
parties free from party obligation !
voting for municipal officers.
Elihu Roots Letter
The letter follows In part:
Ny Dear Mr.. Sheffield:
"Of course. am for the reelection c
Mayor Mitchell.
NO one familiar with the settle
principles Of the Republican party !
thls state can suppose that in yotln
Tor Mayor on the 9th of November h
ought TO be controlled in the slightes
degree by the recent primary vote. n
considerations Of party loyalty or goo
lsiih create any such obligation In
municipal election.
The people Of the state under tn
leadership of the Republican party ser
arated municipal elections from sta,
and national elections for the expires
purpose Of making the members of pc
.i'lcal parties free from party obliga
ION in voting for municipal officer
This was done by the constitutio
adopted adopted in 1894. The conver
ton which framed that constitutio
vas Republican By a large majorit!