New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-29

The Fusion Committee of 1917, which
will wage the coming municipal cam
paign against Tammany Hall, held its
first meeting last night at the Grand
Central Palace and completed perma-
nent organization. Cleveland II. Dodge,
a Wilson Democrat, was elected chair
man; Matthew c. Fleming, secretary,
and Sam A. Lewisohn, treasurer. Will
liam Hamlin Chlds, formerly Brook
lyn Progressive leader, but now Re-
publican, was made chairman of the
executive committee of twenty-nine
members, upon whom will fall the &C
tive management of the campaign.
More than 200 of the $50 members Of
the committee braved the rain 10 at
tend the first meeting. The first men,
ton of Mayor Mtchel's name caused
an ovation. The committee is unani-
mously in favor of the denomination of
the Mayor and most Of the present
elective officials of his administration,
but no action on candidates was taken
last night.
The executive committee was empow-
cred to present a list of nominees at
the next meeting, the hope being
strongly expressed that Mayor Mitchell
would be persuaded TO accept the re-
nomination by that time. The execu-
tive committee was also instructed to
prepare a draft of platform and send
copies of it to each member of the gen.
eral committee prior to the next meet
ing.
Committee to Suggest Nominees
The first mention Of Mayor Mitchel's
name came when William c. Breed in
troduced the resolution giving the ex-
ecutive committee authority 20 prepare
a list of nominees. Abram S. Gilbert
offered an amendment TO instruct the
committee to wait upon Mayor Mitchell
and obtain his consent TO run. Mr..
Gilbert said he was against the nomi-
nation of Mayor Mitchell by the Fusion
Committee of four years ago, but that
now he was strongly in favor of him
on account of the record he had made
in Office
81 think Mayor Mitchell is entitled to
a denomination" said Mr. Gilbert, land
that the city is entitled 70 his services
for another term if We can get him
Mr.. Childs advised against the adop-
ton of Mr. Gilbert's amendment. He
said il might be premature. He eX-
planned that the members of the exec
utive committee had already had sew
eral conferences with the Mayor and
understood why he was inclined not
to run again, but that if the matter
was left entirely to the discretion Of
the committee he felt sure the Mayor
could be persuaded TO take a renomina-
ton. Mr.. Gilbert withdrew his amend
ment.
An appeal 70 the citizens of New
York, in the form of a resolution. was
offered by Martin ". Littleton, y
adopted with great enthusiasm.
The reading of the resolution by Mr..
Littleton was frequently applauded. II
was a strong appeal TO all citizens who
favored clean, decent and efficient city
government, &c support the fusion
movement. II said:
1--WE are confident that all fair
mlnQPQ CltlZeUS realize lNdI New Olh
City has to-day the best government il
ever has had-a government which has
been conspicuorsly honest, intelligent.
energetic and courageous. Instead OF
being byword. New York has been
placed in the forefront of American
cities. as an example and inspiration TO
the other cities Of the country"
The resolution pointed out that hon
est and intelligent administration. be-
yond the reach Of political influence,
had solved the police problem that all
of the city departments were better
and more efficiently organized than
ever before, and general conditions
throughout the city greatly improved.
IL continued:
"This is the first administration
since the creation of the greater city
which has shown conspicuous ability
in improving the public service. while
at the same time reducing the current
! cost Of government. Under Mayor Nc
/, Clellan (906-19l0). the general sd-
| miniStrative expense of the city gov
eminent increased at the rate OF over
per cent per annum.
Reduction Under Mitchell
THE first two years Of Mayor
Mitchels administration reduced the
! administrative expense more than
per cent per annum, so that in 1915