New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-08
City Operation of Public
Utilities Also Pledged
in Platform
itchel Regime
Called Extravagant
Democratic-F Plank
Promises to Fight for
Home Rule

william 3. Ellison. ex-Corporation
counsel. is the choice Of the Demo
cratic Fusion Committee of 40 for
Nsvor The selection Of Mr.. Ellison
,rd Of candidates for other Offices was
made last night and is said to be only
,,,tatiye. but members of the commit
toe. which represents both Tammany
Hall and the independent Democrats
vbo acknowledge allegiance to William
Schneider, were said to be in COM
plete agreement
Other men named with Mr.. Ellison
for Offices are:
Controller John ]. Fitzgerald, DEM
oeratie Representative from Brooklyn
and chairman Of the Committee on APP
rropriations of the House.
President Of the Board of Aldermen
Sheriff Alfred L. Smith.
President of the Borough of Manhat-
tan-Frank L. Bowling, now President
Of the Board Of Aldermen.
The platform adopted savors of radi-
ealism, and follows in general the pro-
posals made by the Democratic County
Committee with headquarters at Tam
many Hall.
Municipal ownership and operation
is given the first place in the plat
form pledges Without telling how
they propose to go about it, the Dem
oerate pronouncement declares that
specifically we are in favor of the pub
lie ownership and operation of all pub
lie utilities, including traction, gas,
electricity and the telephone
The impracticability of such a gen.
eral proposition without details of how
II may be accomplished has appealed 70
the Mitchell Fusion Committee, and IL
IS the plan Of that committee, when its
platform is announced, to indorse
municipal ownership with more practi-
cable limitations.
Indicts Mitchell Regime
The Tammany indictment of th'
AlIAtl lllNluutS oil lllt
expected campaign issues, and some
that may not be issues, that III, lam
many Investigators" could coin. .e.
The lamentable condition - the
e!tys financial affairs is largely due tC
the unwise and reckless administration
Of the present Fusion official. the
platform states, "who to-day stahd in.
dicted before the people Of the city or
charges of extravaganza, incompetence
and surrender TO favored interests"
Then follow the specific counts un.
der this general indictment, including
the purchase Of the new county court
house and civic centre site, the South
Brooklyn marginal railroad scheme
the land deals with "realty favorites'
at Dreamland and Rockaway parks, the
West Side-New York Central plans, the
Rockefeller Foundation "usurping con-
troll OF the public schools" telephone
overlapping, violation of the spirit Of
the Civil Service law in order TO install
personal favorites in high-salaried po-
sitions," pretended Standardization OF
duties and salaries as q cloak 70 ad.
vance so-called efficiency experts" in
fact, "an administration which re.
'FSANo OAAg " VI
seeking financial interests which ex-
p!oit the people for profit can have no
definite policy Of government which
will be Of benefit TO the masses Of this
great cosmopolitan city"
Appeals to Staten Island
A play is made for all the votes on
staten Island by expressing keen sym
pathy with the residents Of Richmond
over the placing of the city garbage
disposal plant in thas borough.
They despoiled Staten Island fol-
ne benefit Of these Fame realty favor
iies,' the platform Esps, "by the loca-
non Of a privately owned general gar
osge disposal plant ia that borough"
The Police Department is dealt with
as follows:
In the Police DepHtment the splen-
eic rank and file has been diverted
ron the line Of plain duty-the pro-
lection OF life and property and the
eetteiior OF crime-'to the irritating
preillsnce Of private business and
warranted espionage Of law-abidine
CITIZENS.
line and energy nave been wasted
q the tapping Of ~ tphone wires Of
iaeor unions and private citizens and
"a the exhibition Of diet squads de-
ilgnfd 20 show the people how little
Asy can eat and live. In the mean
tms crime has alarmingly increased
hsadreds Of disappearances have re-
named unaceounted for and scores Of
MURDERS undetected"
Unusual Pledges in Platform
Ihs Tsmmany pledges In the plat
S'm are as comprehensive es some oi
1hsm are unusual. Under Legislative
!t'oposals, the power and influence OF
he admlnistratiOn will be exerted u
secure legislation to bring about
amendments 10 the Public Service Com.
nI.sion ac. 70 az 70 provide for the
seiion OF hye commissioners, ons
ron e1eh borough; an amendment u
seelty charter making the Office Of Cor
koiatlon Counsel elective; an amend
nsht 70 the state constitution which
III guarantee complete emancipation
rom state control and interference IL
ae management Of affairs that are
purely local.
The further pledge is made 10 oppose
gb.ston which sought 10 impose fur
' greet taxes upon the people OF the
~ i1f state purposes. and Legislation
~t 'ouzht 20 abolish borough or eoun
Autonomy.
h general proposition, IL placed ir
po~sr. Tsmmsny pledges 20 give %,
clean, economical. bnslnssslike admin
naustion of all the eity's affairs, th'
.Iminstien Of eytrayaganes and vast
s11 al end Of ali fsA. ara fsncisa0