New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-29
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

As this municipal campaign moves IhIo
its closing period two facts stand out. Inc
first is that the fight is between Mayor
Mitchell and Judge Hylan-that Is, that
the choice offered to voters is whether an
admirable, honest and economical admin
istration shall be sustained or lammahy
be put back into power. The second is
that whether pro-German and seditionist
and pacifist votes go to Hylan or Hillqut
thew will not go to Mayor Mitchell.
These are the issues-good municipal
government and good American citizen
shin. 1t is beside the fact to say that the
second should not be an issue in munlci-
pal campaign. 1t is an issue, made one by
the anti-Americans and the trend of the
Hylan and Hillqut efforts to be elected.
Judge Hylan is on the wrong side OF
both issues. An unknown man, with no
experience in handling municipal AFFAIRS,
with a record of business transactions IN
which the notorious swindler Goslln hg-
ured. he offers no hope of continuance
Of city government of the high standard
which the Mitchell administration has at
tanned. He is not his own man. Hearst
designated him; Murphy and his organl-
cation ratified the choice. The candidate
has consistently refused to answer ques-
tions about city policies and city affairs;
he has read speeches which contained gro
tesoue distortions and misstatements Of
fact: he has been throughout negative
character-precisely the type of candidate
Hearst and Murphy would want to put
into CITY Hall to serve their own unclean
purposes.
| To this colorless candidate, selected to
suit the pro-German Hearst, the pro
German "Staats-Zeitung" is endeavoring
to deliver all the votes it can swing. 1t Is
charged, and has not been denied by him
or any spokesman for him, that Judge
Hylan announced Immediately after his
designation that he would be elected on
basis of opposition to the selective draft,
which he believed was tremendously I'M
popular-that is, on basis of opposition
to the first pronounced policy of this gov
ernment in its preparation to win the war.
Judge Hylan is running on the same
ticket with Mr.. Bruckner Of The Bronx
/ the man who in Congress approved OF the
notorious McLemore resolution, which adj
vocated recognition of the Won Tirpltz
campaign of submarine ruthlessness and
an abandonment of American rights in COM
pliance with il. By his refusal to de-
nounce Mr.. Bruckner and his record Judge
Hylan has approved him.
This is Hylan - Murphy's man and
Hearsts, willing TO take German votes,
seditonist votes, without the courage TO
come out openly in antagonism to Ameri-
cas- war and war aims and policies as Hill
quit. the Socialist candidate, has done.
Whatever Hearst and Murphy would do if
they had the Mayors power. Hylan may
be expected to do. He has given no indi-
cation at any stage of the campaign that
he had it in him to do anything on his
own account.
Short OF a genuine upheaval, Hillquit
cannot expect to be elected. The normal
Socialist vote in the city is about $4,000;
the highest figure it ever reached was
about $4,000, polled for Mr.. Russell. The
Socialist organization was then intact; it
is now split. There are many party men,
bers who refuse to vote for Hillquit be-
cause of his anti-war, pro-German stand.
The candidate who refused to invest any
part Of his wealth in Liberty bonds and
who advocates Socialist victory to "hearten
the German and Austrian workers" will
get a good proportion Of anti-war votes
as q protest against the Federal govern
ment's action in declaring war and Mayor
Mitchels loyal supper. of the Federal gov
eminent. II is beyond the possibilities 10
think he will get votes in proportion TO the
noise his campaign is making. Thousands