New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-07
All Anxious to Register
Their Opinions as Soon
as Possible
No Serious Disturbance
Unusually Heavy Vote in Early
Hours Interpreted by Lead
ers as Sign of Victory

Despite the intensity Of feeling
aroused in advance Of the election
which eliminated in reiterated charges
Of contemplated lawlessnGss at the
rolls. most Of New York yesterday
went about the task Of voting calmly
and dispassionstely
When the polls opened at o'clock
the Police Department was prepared
for Jcy ~ dsquietine demonstra-
lions, if not actual disorder. But while
there were a few East Side manifesto
tions and numerous disputes and mis-
understandings in other sections, when
led in several cases to arrests, no Sc.
rious disturbances occurred.
Throughout the city the early vote
was unusually heavy. the early rush to
the polls being attributed to the favor
able weather. From every borough re
ports were received of heavy voting IN
the early hours, and at 10 o'clock many
election districts reported that one
half the vote had been polled. In many
districts the full vote had been record
ed before o'clock, the time set for
the polls to close.
All Leaders Confident
The view that the heavy voting meant
success for his own particular set of
candidates was taken by every one
Of the various campaign managers.
Emory r. Buckner, Fusion chairman,
expressed himself as confident that the
rush to the polls indicated a determine
tion on the part of the voters TO rally
to the support Of the Mitchell ticket.
James f. Mcbride, Of the Tammany Flu
sion Committee, was equally sure it
meant victory for the Tammany forces.
Voting on the East Side, in addition
70 being heavy. was unusually rapid,
the average time taken by voter to
mark his ballot being less than one
minute This was held by the support
ers of Morris Hillquit 20 show that the
straight Socialist ticket was being
voted.
Fusion headquarters, at 2ss Madison
Avenue. and in the Hotel Manhattan,
were open as early as the polls, but Of
fcials of Tammany Hall .took their time
in reporting at the Wigwam. Tom
Foley, former Sheriff of New YORK
County, appeared there at about !
O'Clock, and Immediately predicted .he
election OF Judge Hylan with a plural
ity of 100000. Al Smith, he declared,
would be elected President Of the Board
of Aldermen by a plurality Of at least
10000. These estimates were not al
tered throughout the day.
When the polls closed it was stated
at the Office of the State Superintend-
ent of Elections that orders for about
600 arrests on charges OF fraudulent
registration in all the election districts
had been issued. ~ addition 10 orders
for arrests for illegal registration. some
$50 warrants on similar charges had
been sent out. Scores Of would-be
voters were challenged by watchers in
the various election districts, accused
Of Irregularities, and arraighed before
city magistrates.
Many lndfRes OF frauO
Report Of fraudulent practices OF
innumerable varieties were put into
circulation by the rival campaign on
Gals, but. for the most part, they were
described By Edward F. Boyle, presi-
dent CT the Board Of Elections, as
"perennials that bloom every Election
Day" Information that various politi-
cal leaders were ready 10 take long
chances" TO make sure the election of
their candidates was received by
George W. Kessler, secretary Of the
Honest Ballot Association, but, with
squads OF Watchers from oil partie,
including the Woman Suffrage organ
izationl at every polling place, the
longest chance 70 benefit by Irregular
ties was doomed TO failure.
There undoubtedly has been a de-
termined effort TO break the law" said
Mr.. Kessler. I'VE have found every con-
ceivable sort Of irregularity. We have
found dead men, aliens, non-residents
AID minors registered as voters. Many
registered from warehouses and fac
tories; some from empty lots. Hun
dreds registered twice. We have found
political clubs and the homes of po-
litical leaders housing as many as
three men to every room In the house.
In the home Of former State Senator
We found fourteen men registered"
Handed a Marked Ballot
Sergeant Charles NJ. Stefens, of the