New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-12
Murphy Alarmed
AS Socialists Win
Pro-Gernan Vote

Tammany Hall, long disquieted at
reports of Socialist strength in East
Side districts, that always had fur
nished the most votes for the wigwam,
got reports yesterday from district
leaders which confirmed its worst fears.
A canvass was completed several days
ago and the results reported to Charles
F. Murphy yesterday.
Leader after leader reported that the
Socialists were going TO poll tremen-
dous vote in his district The densely
populated East Side appeared to be two
to one for socialism. No effort was
made by the scouts TO conceal their
alarm at the prospect, and q complete
change of front on the part Of Tam
many was predicted.
That organization is said to have re-
lied upon it's safe middle course, as
exemplified by John F. Hylan, 20 capt
ure the pro-German vote without alien
ating the old Tammany Hall voter The
reports received yesterday, however,
seem to show that the pro-Gernan vote
is going overwhelmingly for the Social
list candidates.
Mayor Mitchell has made his fight on
Americanism. Mr.. Hillquit has taken
an anti-war stand. John F. Hylan is
preliminary.
With issues what they are, it began
to dawn yesterday on the Tammany
cheftains that votes were likely TO
drift to one extreme or the other with
out hating often or permanently on
the middle ground. The most serious
side of the situation, so far as Tam
many is concerned, is that the Social
lists strongest reliance is in the very
heart of the old Tammany section.
This will be loss uncompensated
for by any proportionate loss in Mitch
ell votes. The sections where socialism
is said 10 be capturing the voters are
not those where any drift TO Mitchell
might be expected under conceivable
circumstances. Mtchel's adherents as
sert also that the vigorous policy OF
their candidate will draw TO him many
in other sections who hesitate TO vote
beneath the Tammany emblem, fearing
that to do 80 would align them with
pro-Germans.
The New Yorker Volks-Zeitung," the
German Socialist daily, called atten-
tioh yesterday TO the waxing power OF
its candidate and predicted that the
party would elect many aldermen.
For the first time in the history OF
this city" it says, "our opponents are
forced to oppose seriously the Socialist
candidate for Mayor"
If Morris Hlllquit is elected Mayor
New York City will not become social
istic, but socialized. This announce
ment was made by the Socialist candi-
date himself in an address at the Civic
Club, 10 West Thirty-irst Street, last
night Mr.. Hillquit said ne seeks 70
make happier the condition Of both
poor and rich citizens, especially the
poor.
when we can raise billions for de-
struction," he proclaimed, 1--WE can at
least raise millions for social welfare.
Under Mayor Mitchels administration
the condition of the poor has been no
better than il has been before. The
streets in the slum districts are as
filthy and disease breeding as ever. The
health of the people generally is no
better, and the spread of disease is no
more confined than 1t was before the
Mayor took Office"
The candidate also urged his hearers
to vote for him as a protest against
the war
IL have canvassed the city" ne said.
land | am convinced that there will be
heavy Socialist vote polled as an ex-
preston of antipathy towardthis con-
hict"
He likewise criticised the action Of
the Federal government in suppressing
The Call" and other Socialistic papers,
terming such course a "menace TO
the country and not sanctioned by
law" He said small weekies, depend
ing almost entirely on mail subscrip-
tons, being barred from second class
privileges, were killed.
With much earnestness he declared
that the decisions come with clock-like
regularity in four days after far
cical hearing" these papers
from the mails. He said this was
without color of law or the Constitu-
ton" and was "the greatest outrage
OH American liberties ever promulgated
by supposedly free people"
Another meeting. protesting against
the barring of The Call" from the
mails, was held last night at Floyd
Street and Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn.
Speakers denounced the action of the
Postoffice Department as entirely un-
constitutional.