New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-02

intellectual, aDlilty. ne mas HIpe N""
fdence in it himself. The popping OF
questions in public, or even when two
or three are gathered together, is &c
him like the bursting Of shrapnel. II
confounds him, il strikes him dumb. II
disorganizes him to such degree that
only privacy, repose and reflection can
bring him back TO the point OF focus
sing properly on the subject under dis
cussion.
He has made clear more than once
since his designation for Mayor ms
distaste for cross-eXamination. In ms
first interview with reporters after his
return to this city from Saratoga ne
published his pain 10 the world through
his famous reply to the most important
question put to him: Come back al
9 o'clock After tina. ne stipulated
that all questions should be submitted
TO him in writing in the forenoon, 20 DC
answered, also in writing, IN the after
noon. 80.
But the latest display of his timidity
comes with his hesitation at accepting
the invitation of the Brooklyn Ciyl'
Club TO address its members on the
issues Of the campaign. Similar invi'
tations, though for different dates
found no such hesitation on the part o.
Mayor Mitchell or Morris Hillquit. These
two gentlemen have signitied they
would be there with both feet, or words
TO that effect; discuss the campaign
issues at the will of their hosts anc
answer es many of the questions put "a
them as they had breath or brains 70
cone with. They capped to the chal'
lenge. in keeping with the tradition OF
American candidates for Office since the
foundation Of the Republic. 1t was ex-
pected Of them.
But not so Mr.. Hylan, the white hope
of the Wiewam. Notwithstanding his
Irish blood, his red hair, his six feet
and mis- 200 pounds he has backed away
from il.
az talked to Mr.. Hylsn a day or sc
ago"-the speaker is John B. Creighton
secretary Of the Civic Club. "He tolc
me he did not think he would accep
the invitation because he felt that III
would be asked embarrassing questions
| replied that if he felt so about Il
| thought a special arrangement coulc
be made in his case by which he would
be assured that no questions at al
would be asked MIN during the affair
He answered that if such was the case
he would talk it over with his man
ayers and let US know his decision
I later"
Here is a pretty problem for the
candidates managers. Save me, save
mel" he cries, but too audibly. They
would save him, with all their hearts
but 1t can hardly be part of theii
plan that his predicament should bt
made public. As it is, it would seen
necessary that he accept the club's in
vitation and stand up before that criti
cal audience to be compared with hi:
able opponents, an ordeal doubly hare
now that his reluctance is known.
Judge Hylan's bashfulness, extend:
TO situations other than those which
involve his obligation to answer ques
tions. Il will be seen from Mr.
Creighton's remarks printed above
that something of his unwillingness Z
appear before the Civic Club remains
even with the elimination OF the heck
ling prospect. Only week or so ag'
the presence of reporter caused hin
to fee precipitately from the scene o
an interesting movie scenario entitled
From the Little Red Schoolhouse Z
the Engineer Cab" Of which he wa
TO be the hero.
Judge Hylan. accompanied by hi
wife and daughter. several of his cam
paign workers and a corps Of motion
4 . boI m m
of the Long Island Railroad in Ions
Island City, where the movie men haC
planned to make pictures of him as 6
fireman on a locomotive. The judge
was actually preparing TO take his place
on an engine when he learned that
reporter was present. he consulted
hastily with his campaign managers
as in the case Of the Civic Clubs inyi-
tation-and Immediately afterward he
hurried away from there, he and his
wife and his daughter.
The movie men waited about for the
Judge to return, but in vain. After ar
hours delay one Of them posed as the
Tammany candidate.
The Judge is no talker, but az G
finer, a back -slapper and baby klssel
there Is no one IN MS OIocA OH Dusn
wick Avenue who can remember his
equal. No one has ever been known
to pay his fare on streetcar. On the
other hand, any number of gentlemen
can testify to selling him tickets e
clambakes and dances which took place
week or more before the purchase
He is known far and wide as lenien
Judge. but also as fall guy" for the
mischievous schemes of petty crooks
II only the Tiger can keep him of
his feet, how perfect for its purposes
should he prove.