New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-06
Cropsey Boom
For Mayor Meets
Cold Reception
Justice Himself Denies
knowledge Of Living
ston's Move
By BRIGGS

Without authorization from the Kings
Couty Republican organization or from
Justice James c. Cropsey, Jacob A.
Livingston, the official Republican
leader of Brooklyn, started out yester-
day to form city-wide Cropsey Com
mittee for the purpose of entering the
Justice in the September primaries as
a candidate for Mayor on the straight
Republican ticket. The movement,
however, met with obstacles at the
start, being dscredited even among
some of Justice Cropsey's friends and
altogether was considered g premature
and unwise move on the part Of the
Mitchell Fusion Republicans across
the river.
Justice Cropsey denied all knowledge
of the formation, or attempted forma-
ton, of the committee. He declined 10
make any statement as to his candi-
dacy or his willingness TO permit the
use of his name in the primaries. II
appeared last night that Mr.. Livingston
and his co-workers against Fusion had
not courted publicity in he matter,
and had intended 10 work under cover
until they ascerta!red a more accurate
appraisal of Justice Cropsey's strength.
When confronted with exposure the
Brooklyn leader explained that he be-
lieved the Republicans of the city
wanted Cropsey For Mayor, and that
he was taking this method TO find out
what the sentiment really was.
Leaders Refuse Request
County Chairman Livingston sent
request to the Republican leader in
every Assembly district in Brooklyn to
give him the name of man from his
district as a member of the Cropsey
committee Some of the leaders fatty
refused. and several among those who
are not unfriendly to Justice Cropsey
seriously questioned the wisdom Of
pledging their districts at this time to
any candidate for the far-off primaries.
II is understood that Livingston
threatened the dissenting leaders that
If they did not give him a name he
would go over their heads and name a
man himself. This move evidently was
not happy one, as some of the lead.
ers are said TO be putting on their
fighting togs to defy the county chair
man.
Albany Touch Is Seen
The Brooklyn leaders who favor
Fusion and the denomination Of Mayor
Mitchell are not disposed to credit Liv-
ingston with having made the Cropsey
move at this time Of his own accord.
Some OF them saw ~ Albany touch in
this latest drive against Mayor Mitchell.
Others were inclined to interpret
the action as an early manpuvre on
Livingston's part toward controlling
certain other local nominations for the
coming municipal election, notably
that of Senator Robert Z. Lawson for
Borough President of Brooklyn.
The Fusion leaders are content.
however, to sit tight and bde their
time in the belief that another such
move on the part of the Brooklyn
organization leader would be likely TO
kill the Cropsey boom.
+. J. II. Kracke, Commissioner Of
Plant and Structure, who is a strong
advocate Of Fusion AID the renomina-
ton OF Mayor Mitchell, said last night
that Mr.. Livingston was proceeding
entirely without any authorization
from the Kings County organization,
and that he, kracke, did not believe
the organization would sanction his
action.