New-York tribune., 1917-07-20
Talks of Entering
Race for Controller
Whitman Indorses Bonynge
as the Candidate for
Swann's Job

Gus ratification meeting expected TO-
day of the Fusion Committee of 1917
AZ which the nominees for the city tick
ct recommended by its executive COM
mittee are to be approved. Unless
the Fusion leaders placate Mr.. Marks
overnight it is likely he will an
nounce to-day his decision not TO run
on the fusion ticket with Mayor Mitch
el and Controller Prendergast. 1t was
understood yesterday that he had a
letter prepared to that effect.
al have not told any one yet that 1
would, or would not. accept the Fusion
nomination." said the Borough Presi-
dent last night, "but l will announce
my decision tomorrow. At this mo-
ment | am absolutely free. I have
not accepted a nomination, nor have /
consented to have my name used as
candidate for Borough President or
Controller"
Borough President Marks was recon-
mended for denomination at a recent
meeting of the Fusion executive COM
mittee, together with Mayor Mitchell,
Controller Prendergast and Borough
President Pounds of Brooklyn.
Had Opposed Marks
II was known that there had been
considerable objection by the Mayor
and the Controller to Mr.. Msrks's re-
nomination, growing out of their dis
cordsnt relations with the Borough
President in the Board of Estimate.
but the Fusion leaders finally decided
TO put him on the ticket as a matter
of political expediency." Mr.. Marks
had threatened several times to enter
the Republican primaries as a candi-
date for Controller against Controller
nomination for Borough President it
is expected that he will announce his
candidacy for Controller.
The Borough President frankly
stated yesterday that he did not relish
the prospect of sitting on the Board
of Estimate again with Controller
Prendergast. His friends have been
urging him TO decline a denomination.
They said that the Fusion committee
bad placed him on the ticket without
first giving him the assurance that his
department would not be hampered
IN the future by the Controller, a con-
ditior upon which he insisted.
'It is intolerable to live in an at
mosphere of personal abuse. and sub
ject to constant stumbling blocks
which Controller Prendergast has
placed in my way" said Mr.. Marks.
at takes entirely too much effort to
accomplish results, and in the end it
cannot be satisfactory"
Meanwhile, the fusion leaders are
trying to smooth the troubled waters
in the Brooklyn situation, where Re-
publican County Chairman Livingston
persists in his Mayoralty boom for Jus
tiee James c. Cropsy. Senator William
F. J. II. Kracke, is working hard for the
Mitchell ticket, issued a statement yes
terday indorsing the nominations pro-
posed by the Fusion executive COM
mittee.
Calder Praises Mitchell
"The ratification of these ,,omina-
tions at the Republican primaries
should be a matter of form and not
Of argument" said Senator Calder.
Mayor Mitchell and Controller Prem
dergast have given the city services of
an exceptionally high character. These
services and the experience that goes
with them are municipal asset To
thrust them aside now would be po-
litical suicide and business stupidity"
Tammany also is troubled. Charles
F. Murphy and other wigwam leaders
are said TO be concerned over the ap-
parent exodus of many Of the young
workers IN the organization to the
ranks of the new City Democracy, which
rs strong y aligned with the Mitchell
fuslon iorces Tor the purposes of
smashing Tammany Hall
The younger element in Tammany is
known to be disgruntled because prac-
tically none of them has been favored
by the organization with "job" of any
consequence. Even the few places Of
patronage which have fallen TO Tam
many IN recent years, some of them
have pointed out. have been given to
the old war horses and district leaders
OF the organization. The recent pro-
motion Of Frank J. Goodwin. Tamrnany
leader Of the 7th Assembly District.
from Deputy City Clerk at a salary OF
$4,000 10 clerk of the City Court at a
salary of $4,000 is a case in point
Michael J. Cruise. leader of the 14th
Assembly District, got the place of
OtPuty Clty ticfh.
Pressure on Murphy
Charles F. Murphy is said to. have
been strongly in favor Of nominating
close organization man for Mayor
on the Tammany ticket Mr.. Murphy
~ understood TO have encouraged his
henchmen in the belief that il was a
Iammany year in the municipal cleo
tion ard that the organization could
put over" one Of it's active members
az we'll as anybody else In view of
the revolt of some Of the younger mem
bcrs, however, and the assured renomi-
nation OF Mayor Mitchell on the fusion
ticket strong pressure is being brought
20 bear on the Tammany chief 70 look
for a candidate who could attract more
Of the Independent Democratic vote.
Tammany leaders looked over the
ilate of possibilities yesterday. Some
Of the names on IL are: Bainbridge
Colby, former Progressive and more
recently Wilson Democrat; Frank L.
Dowling, president Of the Board of Al
dermen, said 70 be Muiphy's favorite
ss a straight Tammany candidate;
Sheriff Alfred T.. Smith, William r.
Hearst. Preston r. Lynn, general man
sger Of Wanamaker's store. who was
suggested by the Business Mems
League; John +. Calvin, Commissioner
OF the Board Of Water Supply; Robert
T.. Dowling, president Of the City In
vesting Company; Justice Victor J.
Dowlng, Francis Burton Harrison and
Lewis Nixon. a former leader OF Tam
many Hall.
II was said in Tammsny circles yes
terdsv that District Attorney Edward