The sun., 1917-08-08
TAMMANY PICKS
W.B. ELLISON TO
RUN FOR MAYOR
FIX Corporation Counsel
Heads Tentative Demo-
cratic Slate.
RADICAL PLATFORM 0. KID
Municipal Ownership and
Operation of All Public
Utilities Advocated.
RADICAL PLATFORM 0. KID

The Democratic fusion committee OF
40, including Tammany Hall and the
so-called Independent Democratic ele-
ment represented by County Clerk Will
lam f. Schneider, not only adopted a
platform last night sweeping in its
recommendations for radical changes in
the government OF the city, embracing
municipal ownership and operation OF
all public utilities. but agreed on tenta-
tive city ticket, which, however, may
be changed before 1t is accepted
The city slate as It appeared last
night is as follows
For Mayor-Willlam B. Ellison,
formerly Corporation Counsel
For Comptroller-John J. Fitzger-
aid, Democratic Representative from
Brooklyn and chairman OF the Com
mittee on Appropriations Of the House.
For President OF the Board of
Aldermen-Sheriff Alfred e. Smith.
For President of the Borough OF
Manhattan--Frank L. Dowling, now
President of the Board OF Aldermen.
The platform. which was adopted by
the entire Democratic fusion committee
at meeting at SO East Forty-second
street, not only commits Tamrnany to
municipal ownership of public utilities
but binds itself to reorRanize thoroughly
most OF the present city departments
TO eliminate the waste and extrava-
gance and the fads and fancies of the
present administration"
Police Inefficiency Assniled.
The administration of the Police De-
partment Is especially criticised. the
Cruger case and the wire tapping ac-
tvities being emphasized as reasons
why a change should be made The
Health, Charities. Educational and civil
service departments also come in for
sharp criticism. and the present ad-
ministratlon's handling OF the Dream
land. Rockaway Park, West Side plan,
the South Brooklyn marginal railway
scheme, the court house site and other
real estate transactions and proposals
are fayed unstintedly.
After pledRlng loyalty TO President
Wilson and the national Administration
and stating that the present failures OF
the Mitchell administration justify
restoration TO. the people OF direct con-
troll of the city government, the plat
form launches forth on the main plank
in the document, municipal ownership.
1T Is the purpose" states the plat
form, "of the Democratic voters OF the
city OF New York In the approaching
municipal election to fight for municipal
ownership, the true principle Of all mu-
niclpal reform
Fuaionists Called InEincere.
"The Fusion administration say they
are for public ownership and operation,
hit they qualify this by the statement
..ftw a.. 20
take it. Their insincerity is recognized
by all the public utility corporations OF
the city, which are supporting the Fu-
sion administration. These corporations,
which have 80 long fattened upon the
city. have a very clear understanding of
lust how much, or rather how little, the
Fusion administration means In its
declaration. in favor Of public ownership"
After making il clear that the munich
pal ownership plank Includes all public
utilities, including transportation. light.
heat and power. the platform proceeds TO
point out what, In the opinion Of the
Tammanyites. constitutes gross misman-
agement OF The city government by the
present administration.
The increase in the budget and the
subsequent raise in tax rates are cited,
and the expenditures on the proposed
court house site and civic centre, In
loss Of S13,0O0.0o0; a loss, or rather a
gift, to the "realty favoritcs'' of $780,
0oO in the Drsamland Park transaction
. and an alleged gift of another $500. 900
IN the city's purchase of Rockaway
Park are among the indictments found
In the platform.
Concerning the Police Department the
Platform states:
In the Police Department the splen-
id anil ~.
the line Of plain duty-the protection of
life and property and the detection OF
cilme--to the irritating surveillance OF
frivate business and unwarrsnted
espionage of law abiding citizens Time
End energy have been wasted in the
tapping of telephons wires of labor
Unions and private citizens and in the
exhibition Of diet squads designed to
snow the people how little they can eat
thd live. In the meantime crime has
tarmingly increased, hundreds OF dis
appearances have remained unac-
counted for and scores OF murders un-
detected" -
Taking up the alleged control OF tha
clty government by the Rockefeller Nor
Gan group il is stated
vital issue of this election ~
Nhdll the control OF the affairs OF the
Guy remain In the hands OF financial
shd social autoorscy? The Rockefeller
!organ group is the chief beneficiary OF
on the railroads having terminals ~
nus city and of those that lease city
pes They are also largely interested
' steamship property and dominate
very avenue Of distribution os the nece =
SUES Of life
Pledges of Reforms offered.
charging this group with the pressat
Ign cost Of food. the platform promises
establish terminal markets, ware.
'ons,S and refrigerator plants
roiowing is the list OF specific
eus'' promised In the platform II tn
Nt,no' ratio ticket Is elected
clean, economical, businesslike ad
n,,'n'Stration OF all the city's affairs, tn,
n'haton Of extravaganza and waste
""u an end OF all fads and fAncies.