New Britain herald., 1917-12-28
HYIAN TO PLEDGE
 AID TO WILSON
New York's Mayor Confers With
 President Anent Plans

New York. Dec. 2s.-Mayor-elect John F. Hylan, who went to Wash. ington last night, was received by the President at noon today. and gavo him assurances that the new city ad- mtntstration will accord the most loyal support to the Federal Government during the war. As 8 practical point on which ch-operation is most ur- gent' he talked over with the Pred- dent a plan said to be under consid- eration for complete Federal control of the harbor of New York, includ- ing the municipal Department of Docks and Ferries. for tho period of the war. <
 Many of the piers on the New York as well as the New Jersey waterfront at present are under the control of the War Department, but others chat are used by steamships in the coast wise trade and for ordinary ocean com merce remain under city control This situation has created a divided respon- sibility. which, 1t was said last night, had become irksome to the Federal authorities and had caused many per- plexities for the city authorities as well. For some time plans for the Federal authorities to assume full re- sponsibility and control, it was said yesterday. had been under considers. tion at Washington. One plan con- templates puttig the collector of the port, who is an odcial of the Treas ury Department in full charge of the harbor: another, tho appointment of . federal harbor master, under the De- partment of Commerce.
 Shortly before Mayor-elect Hylan left for Washington 1t was learned that Representative Murray Hubert, who was slated for appointment n dock commissioner in the Hylan ad. ministration, had decided to decline this appointment and had made preparations to remain in Congress. This decision, 1t was said, had boon reached by MT. Hubert after confer- ences with party leaders at Wash ington to obviate the danger of the House of Representatives being con. trolled by the republicans. Owing to recent deaths and resignations the House. when Congress convenes again on Jan. 3, would have a republican majority of three instead of a demo- cratic majority of two, in the event thata Mir. Hubert should file his res- ignation. Three of the vacancies that are certain to occur. which will con- tribute to this reduction in the demo- cratic strength, are caused by tho withdrawal of men representing dis tricts in New York city-Representa- tives John J. Fitzgerald, Daniel J. Grifnn and Henry Bruckner. MH Fitzgerald was already resigned from Congress for the purpose of resum- ing his law practice. Mir. Griffin will resign because he has been elected sheriff of Kings County and MT. Bruckner because of his election as borough president of the Bronx.
 It is expected that Governor Whit man will order these vacancies filled at a special election to be held in February. and the successors of all three arc likely to be democrats. An election of a successor to MT. Hull bert, in the event that he had TO- signed. however. would likely have re- suited in the election of a republican. provided the successor were elected from the Twenty-first district, az os- tablished by the reapportionment of certain Congressional districts at the last session of the Legislature. The new Twenty first, MT. Hulberts dis trict, Is admitted by democrats to be rood for a 5000 republican plurality in any election.
 In some quarters 1t was regarded as certain that the journey of Mayor elect Hylan would have some bearing on his selection of a police commits sioner. and the opinion was expressed by some that the prospect that Will liam J. Flynn, retiring chief of tho United States Secret Service, would be appointed head of the police de- .partment, was less promising. Judge Hylan said before leaving for Wash ington that the matter had not been